Rugby: Press slams 'road-kill' Wallabies

SYDNEY - The Australian press held nothing back in denouncing the Wallabies' shocking display in losing 10-9 to a below-par South Africa in their Tri-Nations' rugby test at Cape Town on Sunday (NZ time).

Newspaper headlines like "Inept Wallabies world away" and "Wallabies become road-kill" topped stories that chastised their error-ridden performance. Any repeat, they said, would have disastrous consequences in the Bledisloe Cup decider against the All Blacks on August 28 and at the World Cup starting a month later.

A host of player changes were suggested but there was a greater cry for more commitment and a cohesive game plan.

Ironically the Australian scrum, their biggest weakness previously this season, was one of the few pass marks given to the Wallaby forward effort which bowed to the Springbok eight in every other phase. The criticism continued in the backs where basic handling and passing mistakes were lampooned, as was the lack of a quality kicking option at first five-eighths while usual-midfielder Tim Horan held the spot.

"In just three weeks, Australia have nose-dived from World Cup finals candidates to highly flawed also-rans who talk the talk but are struggling to walk the walk, let alone run, pass or kick," Greg Growden wrote in the Sydney Morning Herald.

"If they continue playing such putrid football, basically handing the game to a workmanlike Springbok team ... they will suffer as much humiliation at this year's World Cup as they did in 1995, when they fell in the quarterfinals."

The Australian newspaper's chief rugby writer Peter Jenkins questioned why the Wallabies' skill level had not advanced as quickly as their size, speed and strength since rugby turned professional. He said their inability to clear for territory via the boot was inexcusable.

"Teams have been known to shoot themselves in the foot, but this Australian side is more inclined to blow its own head off."

The Wallabies squad to meet the All Blacks in Sydney will be named on Thursday, the day after lock John Eales, flanker Owen Finegan and first five-eighths Stephen Larkham return from injury to play for the Australian Barbarians against Fiji in Sydney. - NZPA