SYDNEY, 19 August 2003 — Australia’s chances of lifting the rugby World Cup were questioned by media here yesterday following the Wallabies’ latest defeat to New Zealand.

There was universal acknowledgment in the press that the form of the Wallabies improved in their spirited 21-17 loss to the All Blacks to hand back the Bledisloe Cup after five years’ ownership.

But the nagging concern is that Eddie Jones’ men don’t have it to repulse New Zealand and England for the world crown, even with the substantial benefit of playing at home. “In the grim aftermath of the Bledisloe Cup being raised by New Zealand for the first time since 1997, the Wallaby team management persisted with their line about how their World Cup defense was ‘moving in the right direction’,” the Sydney Morning Herald said.

“But the reality is that not enough players are performing well enough for Australia to be considered a World Cup force, evidenced by the fact they go into the tournament with the hardly encouraging lead-up of one win from their past five Tests.”

The Herald said that adding to the gloom was the team’s lack of instinct, especially in attack. “Out wide the Wallabies are indecisive, their stutterings wasting opportunities. It is as if the players are thinking: ‘What do I do now?’”

“The problem starts at the scrum base, where George Gregan is struggling, and it doesn’t improve from there.

“It is not entirely all doom and gloom. To be in with a chance until the final seconds (against the All Blacks) was a big plus, especially after Australia had been gutted in the Sydney Test two weeks earlier. The spirit, at least, is there. And the match did solve some selection problems.”

The Australian newspaper said the Wallabies were in danger of becoming the “nearly team.”

“It is forever nearly getting there. And that’s not just a commentary on the fact they have lost all the close ones this season,” the paper commented. “In broad terms, they have the makings of a side that could yet mount a successful defense of the World Cup. Their scrum is sound, their lineout the best in the Tri-Nations, they have a world-class goalkicker in Elton Flatley, they play with spirit and their defense is effective.

“Yet, for all that, the Wallabies are lacking what former captain Tony Shaw described yesterday as “the Wow factor”.

“... the Wallabies seem to have neither the inclination nor the skill to deceive or confound. There is nothing in their game that raises the eyebrows, let alone the heart-rate.

“When they run, it’s as though their primary concern is not making ground but making certain they don’t get isolated. Former World Cup-winning skipper Nick Farr-Jones said the positives for the Wallabies were the set plays.

“The scrum foundation was solid and I am finding it difficult to understand why the Wallaby backs are not able to more effectively play their backline moves from this platform,” he said in the Daily Telegraph.

“The lineout has also continued to improve. The Wallabies are well organized on our throw-in and continue to compete effectively on the opposition’s ball.

“Some (players) are still obviously playing without the confidence and authority of former years. But I am confident that this can be quickly turned around. There have been enough signs in recent weeks to suggest that this Wallaby team can continue to improve.”

Tigers Pair Heading

to London Broncos

Wests Tigers fullback Joel Caine and prop Steve Trindall are heading to England to finish the Super League season with the London Broncos, the club said yesterday. Caine played 75 games for the joint venture club and was the Tigers’ foundation fullback and the National Rugby League’s top pointscorer in 2000.

Trindall played 29 games for the Tigers – and 172 career first grade matches after debuting for Canberra in 1993. Tigers chief executive Steve Noyce said the club was disappointed to lose two great players.

“It is definitely sad that we have lost two experienced campaigners but the fact is they had to look after themselves,” Noyce said.