Youth has always stirred jealousy in age, yet within the middle-aged ranks of Wallabies, it seems there is more than just simple envy at play these days.
Players aged 26-29 express genuine concern that their meticulously earned experience may be working against them, fearing they could soon lose their spots to the latest promising talent.
Professional athletes typically deal with insecurity, and within the current Wallabies setup, this anxiety is intensified by the arrival of another World Cup in the four-year rugby cycle.
However, apart from these personal worries, there exists a broader concern—a fear that a crucial aspect of the Wallabies’ culture might be at risk of fading away.
The senior players in the Australian squad have traditionally been the torchbearers, setting standards and being revered as role models for the younger players entering the team.
In no other rugby nation has experience held greater value. Australia boasts the highest number of centurions among the 18 players in history who have achieved 100 Test caps—such as George Gregan, George Smith, Steve Larkham, and David Campese. Among the all-time top 50 cap-earners, nine are Australians, and a record 16 Australians feature in the top 100.
In contrast, South Africa has seen only seven players and New Zealand nine players make it into the top 100 list.
This, of course, has its reasons. Australia’s player numbers have consistently been lower compared to other rugby giants.
While other nations may enjoy the luxury of deep talent pools that allow them to bench quality players in poor form, Australia tends to trust its best players to work through their struggles.
This longevity of players has been pivotal in Australia’s success during the professional era. Of all major teams in world rugby, the Wallabies have gained the most from the sport’s shift in 1996 from amateurism to professionalism.
During the amateur era, the Wallabies’ Test success rate was a mere 44.5 per cent. Conversely, five other nations—New Zealand (71.2), South Africa (63.9), France, Wales (52.7), and England (50.3)—recorded higher winning percentages.
Since 1996, however, the win rate for Australia jumped to 63.6 per cent, the most substantial increase of any team during that time, as those 16 Australians—apart from Michael Lynagh and Campese—collected the majority of their caps.
The five countries contributing the highest number of players to the top 100 most-capped list also rank among the six teams that made the most significant improvements from the amateur to professional era.
Undoubtedly, other factors influence performance in other countries, but the connection between experience and success stands undeniable when it comes to the Wallabies.
Now, though, Robbie Deans is taking a dramatically different approach, nearly exclusively relying on youth. In the recent final Test of the spring tour, half the team was aged 22 or younger.
While it’s undeniable that they excelled, dominating a dispirited France with an impressive five late tries for a 59-16 victory, reports leading up to the 47-minute mark of that unusual Test would have noted Australia’s scrum failure yet again.
Perhaps Deans is indeed on the right path with the current squad he has. Admittedly, I risk sounding contradictory, but I believe he is navigating towards a potential World Cup final appearance for the Wallabies.
Still, caution is warranted. By consistently favoring youth, he risks alienating his older and middle-aged players.
This could lead to a decline in morale initially, and physically, he may also lose their contributions, with justEvery player on the team who is over the age of 26 is seriously considering a European contract.
Publicly, no one is willing to comment, and who can blame them with the World Cup approaching? However, there is a deep sense of disappointment regarding the treatment of Matt Giteau, who has devoted a decade and 91 Tests to Australia. After being instructed to regain his form, Giteau found himself benched for the match against Italy.
The importance of Giteau not participating in that game was acknowledged by every senior player. He has openly stated that this year will be his last year in Test rugby. Not playing against Italy effectively shattered his hopes of reaching 100 Tests.
While no one is entitled to anything, there is also no justification for sidelining Australia’s most seasoned back. It’s no surprise that Giteau chose not to reach out to the Australian Rugby Union before deciding to move to France at the end of 2011.
Despite this, among the numerous Wallabies I have talked to recently, not one player thinks that Giteau’s contributions to the Australian side are no longer relevant. Even if they held that belief, they still disapprove of the situation they are witnessing.
As one senior Wallaby expressed: “It’s important for an organization to show respect for those who have served well … this fosters a culture of long service, which is crucial to maintain.”
Regrettably, this culture is fading. The younger generation of talented players is relishing immediate rewards. But how sustainable is that?
And what comes next?
by Buford Balony
