The Kangaroos' recent performance against England has sparked debate about the future of coach Kevin Walters and the team's overall strategy. While the final score of 30-8 might suggest a clear victory, the game itself was a closer affair than the result indicates. Australia's defense was commendable, but their attack lacked the finesse to truly dominate, especially when compared to the impressive displays of New Zealand and Samoa in the Pacific Championship.
One of the most discussed topics was Nathan Cleary's performance. Despite his dominance at the club level, Cleary struggled to assert his authority at the representative level. His passing and kicking were not up to par, and he never seemed fully at ease throughout the series. This has led to questions about his position as Australia's automatic first-choice halfback and whether Walters should have given Mitchel Moses or Tom Dearden more playing time.
Harry Grant and Cameron Munster, on the other hand, were standout performers. Munster's clever playmaking set up both of Australia's first-half tries, and Grant was a constant threat, nearly scoring from a kick that Reece Walsh almost capitalized on. Grant's all-around performance earned him the Man of the Match award, while Munster was voted Player of the Series.
The article also touches on the Kangaroos' pack, particularly the middle forwards. The numbers reveal that none of the middles reached 100m in runs, with Tino Fa'asaumaleaui, Pat Carrigan, Reuben Cotter, Lindsay Collins, and Keaon Koloamatangi all falling short. This has raised concerns about the forwards' ability to compete against the powerful Kiwi and Samoan packs, potentially becoming Australia's Achilles' heel.
Additionally, the article mentions Mark Nawaqanitawase's performance, highlighting his talent and entertainment value when he plays to his strengths. However, his four errors during the game could have been costly, and the article suggests that he needs to play with more restraint to avoid making avoidable mistakes at the international level.
