The French were once so impressed by the backline artistry of the Wallabies that they used Australian names for their own moves.
“Kang-a-roo”, ”ko-ala” and “Australia One” were all names of French backline moves in the early 1980s.
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True. Masterful French centre Philippe Sella confirmed this afresh in a chat when prompted about the impact of the 1981 Wallabies.
It was the first year with the late Jacques Fouroux in charge as coach and the 2-0 series loss to the Wallabies in Australia clearly left a mark.
Wallabies flyhalf Mark Ella was the ringmaster with the likes of Michael Hawker, Michael O’Connor and Brendan Moon outside him. There were loop plays, wraparounds out wide to bolster support of the ball-carrier, telling counter-attacks and all manner of skills in between.
When the French toured Australia again in 1986, Fouroux happily went into more detail after a 10-try blitz of Queensland.
“After our tour here in 1981, I went back to France thinking of the Australian way of rugby,” Fouroux told a throng of intrigued Australian journalists.
“Australian rugby of 1981 has been our reference. We have used Australian names for our moves since.”
This delve into history is not aimed at bringing back cotton jerseys with collars or suggesting that moves from the 1980s are going to work at this World Cup.
There is an extremely topical slant to Eddie Jones’ Wallabies as they prepare for their final World Cup tune-up against France in Paris early on Monday morning (1.45am AEST).
In all those secretive training sessions, is Jones formulating some moves that will pop the eyes of observers at the World Cup? Is there going to be a ploy like the old George Gregan flick ball close to the ruck that the world is going to start copying? Is the tag of “innovators” going to be thrown at some part of the Wallabies’ attack again?
Against France, there needs to be signs of the fresh attack, the “more natural style of game” that Jones is talking of for his attack.
Jones has made it clear: “the philosophy and strategy in attack is my responsibility.”
New coaching assistant Jason Ryles is “to add detail to improve running lines, deception and first phase play.”
Jones will keep his best set plays for when they count…at the World Cup.
Wouldn’t it be just the tonic to see a multiple runners-decoy move from the new playbook really click off a strong scrum for a try against Fiji?
The Wallabies scored nine tries in their four lead-up losses to this tournament.
The very first was a beauty…that Marika Koroibete try in Pretoria came from a well-swooped-on lineout turnover more than 50m upfield ignited by prop Allan Alaalatoa.
There was plenty of precise relay passing to it as there was to the Len Ikitau try against Argentina.
Both were encouraging as were the quick hands of Samu Kerevi and Jordie Petaia to put Koroibete over again against the All Blacks in Dunedin.
There has to be more of it. Only those with blinkers on didn’t see the Japan XV, the Scots, the French and even the Italians being more precise in their passing raids than the Australians on tours to end 2022.
Jones has said on multiple occasions that he wants the Wallabies to play “the Australian way.”
That’s a skill-drill-and-execution thing as well as a style-of-play thing. You need both.
The Wallabies have had very little time to get both in sync, compared to other top nations, considering Jones’ short time as head coach.
There are no World Cup pool points up for grabs against France but there is plenty on the line. Confidence and taking training form onto the paddock in the real arena are two.
The mass of Wallabies fans preparing to head to France in their thousands and those who will stay up for the 1.45am kick-off on Monday are wanting to see more progress against the French.
The French may no longer put an Aussie name to one of their moves but if kids in rugby teams around Australia start practicing a killer Wallabies’ move after this tournament that will be a bigger win.
