Rugby Championship 2018: Australia vs Argentina- 3 talking points

#3 The Aussie forwards not making enough carries

David Pocock

The Australian forwards hardly score any tries off the scrums or breakdowns and they do not carry the ball enough, either. The job of a forward does not begin and end with the set-pieces but they should have some contribution to make during the open play as well. There is not a Kevin Mealamu or Owen Franks or Malcolm Marx in the Wallabies’ line-up and that makes them solely dependent on their defenders for scoring a try. David Pocock, the Australian no. 8, is superb in breakdowns but does not usually get himself in try scoring positions. Compare that with the Kiwi No. 8 Kieran Read, who has scored a staggering 24 tries in his international career.

Will Genia scores some vital tries and makes some significant carries in the opposition half and often looks the most useful player during the attacking scrums and breakdowns. But he seems to be the only one who is capable of doing so. The Wallabies would have to address this issue and their forwards should involve themselves more in ball-carrying and breaching the opposition defence.