Rennie threatens selection changes after watching Wallabies miss 40 tackles in Bledisloe II defeat
Wallabies coach Dave Rennie threatened selection changes after a diabolical 40 missed tackles consigned Australia to yet more Bledisloe Cup despair at Eden Park. The Wallabies came crashing back to earth after last week's thrilling 16-16 draw in Wellington as the All Blacks piled on four tries to one in a 27-7 rebound rout in Auckland on Sunday.
In chalking up their 20th straight trans-Tasman victory at Eden Park since 1986, no All Black was more destructive in punishing the Wallabies for their defensive deficiencies than rookie winger Caleb Clarke.
The 21-year-old son of former All Blacks centre Eroni Clarke was nigh-on unstoppable on debut, with three line breaks and 10 tackle busts from eight runs earning him a standing ovation.
"He was a handful," said Rennie, who blamed the Wallabies' horror missed tackle count as the chief reason for their downfall.
"Last week we tackled really well and we made minimal mistakes. We always knew that was important against the All Blacks. Today we turned the ball over a lot and then missed too many tackles. The initial tackle was poor and we got put under heat from it.
"You just can't gift the All Blacks that much ball. They've got too many athletes who can hurt you and that's what we saw today."
Trailing 10-0 after an early Richie Mo'unga penalty and Aaron Smith try in the 23rd minute, the Wallabies were only down by three points at the break after Marika Koroibete's reply on the half-hour.
But the loss of midfield playmaker Matt To'omua to a recurring groin injury before halftime and quickfire tries after the resumption to All Blacks Jordie Barrett and Ardie Savea turned the game on its head.
Suddenly behind 20-7, the Wallabies lamented Koroibete not being able to ground the ball for a second try and then hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa being penalised for double movement having touched down shortly after.
"We score there - (to make it) 20-14 - and maybe we're in the match," Rennie said.
Alas, they weren't and it was all over when All Blacks skipper Sam Cane crossed for his side's fourth try in the 53rd minute.
Asked if there was any solace in knowing the Wallabies could turn the series around by solving their defensive problems, Rennie said: "Selection can sometimes fix that, can't it?"
The no-nonsense first-year Wallabies coach has already shown he's not afraid to make tough calls, having relegated four players even after last Sunday's stirring draw - Australia's closest call in New Zealand in 19 years.
But Wallabies captain Michael Hooper, while disappointed with the result, felt the defensive shortfalls were as much about the All Blacks' domination of the breakdown and possession.
"They made us pay on our turnovers," Hooper said.
"When you're retreating and missing tackles, our line's going back and they're coming forward it's hard."
Either way, the Wallabies' 20-point defeat leaves Hooper's men needing to win the final two games of the the series - in Sydney on October 31 and in Brisbane on November 7 - to get their hands back on the Bledisloe Cup for the first time since 2003.
While offering no excuse, Rennie revealed the Wallabies' preparation had been disrupted by dynamic back-rower Harry Wilson being hospitalised for 36 hours last week with a foot infection.
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Finau is not leaving a lot of room for error that’s true, but he committed to 3 out of four tackles when the player had the ball so that’s all legal. (And incredibly entertaining)
Go to commentsThings I want to pay attention to this series. 1) Nothing against the other teams in 6 nations, but apart from Irelands loss to england, I dont feel they got tested, So I think this might be tight. 2) Rassie wants to build depth, and would rather do it before a world cup, but I am sure deep inside, he will be reminded that we have not beaten Ireland in years. 3) Will our new coaches plans be sound abd organised in time for the Ireland series? Remember our warm ups might only see our second or third string players available (When are we going to have one universal calander year?) 4) I see Ireland have moved on from Sexton, but what will Farrels plans be for SA? I am sure he will go for a full strength squad. 5) I think the test for the springboks will be the Durban game, it will be in winter, so not too hot for the Irish,no altitude, and it rains allot, might remind them of home. Loftus, if the springboks play the right game, I feel altitude like with most games before, can cause some challanges. 6) Off topic, but who is both Anxious and excited about what the Abs are coming with? A whole new coaching team and different style of play.
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