George Gregan, the most scrutinised player in Australian rugby, says his form has been inconsistent this year but it’s heading in the right direction.
The Wallaby skipper has been savaged in the local media since Australia’s woeful 50-21 loss to New Zealand in Sydney last week, but he faced his accusers here on Friday and said all the signs pointed to an improvement in his fortunes.
The world champions head into Saturday’s Tri-Nations Test with South Africa desperately trying to avoid losing four consecutive internationals for the first time since 1981.
”My form has been a little bit inconsistent, there have been some really good parts of my game this year, but there are areas where it can improve,” the 87-Test scrumhalf veteran said.
”I think I’m in the right direction with regards to my form.
”Mentally, I’m feeling fine. I know a lot’s been said about my mental state, but I’m feeling okay and statistically looking at my game I think it’s in the right direction and I’m happy with the consistency of my technique.
”I’m pretty thorough with my analysis, but you basically look at the areas where you need to improve, things you can do better and go out and back yourself to do it.”
Along with coach Eddie Jones, 30-year-old Gregan has taken the can for the Wallabies’ inglorious form just 10 weeks out from beginning their World Cup defence at home.
Jones launched a spirited defence of his captain on Thursday, saying: ”It’s a populist view to attack George. Whenever we don’t play well, George seems to be the first one attacked.
”We need some objective commentary on players’ performance. George always seems to be attacked in an emotional way.”
Ken Catchpole, one of Australia’s greatest Test scrumhalves, on Friday urged Gregan to lessen his workload during matches and stop overplaying his role as captain.
”George may be making the fundamental error that as captain he feels he must also be the playmaker,” Catchpole told Brisbane’s Courier-Mail newspaper.
”Being captain doesn’t mean being involved in everything and I feel George has been overplaying his hand and he should be concentrating on his passing game and making tackles.”
Another Wallaby great Mark Ella wrote in The Australian newspaper that Australia’s lack of forward dominance had exposed a deficiency in Gregan’s game.
”The challenge for Gregan is to change his style and pass from off the ground without taking any steps,” Ella said.
”How Gregan plays in Brisbane may determine his playing future.
If the Wallaby forwards have any respect for him they should bust their guts to provide him with good clean ball.” – Sapa-AFP