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Subscribe to RSS FeedConnolly hails European grit
Floored: Stirling Mortlock comes to terms with knock-out rugby
Australia coach John Connolly believes the intensity of the Heineken Cup has made European nations better equipped for the demands of knock-out rugby.
The Wallabies and New Zealand, the top two sides in the Test rankings, both crashed to quarter-final defeats on an extraordinary day of World Cup rugby.
Australia fell 12-10 to old enemies England before France came from 13-0 down to beat the All Blacks, who were heavy tournament favourites.
The World Cup is designed along the same lines as the Heineken Cup, with teams having to qualify through pool stages just to reach the quarter-finals.
In contrast, the Super 14 competition is based on a league system with no relegation in which the top four sides qualify for the semis.
"Handling the pressure of a knock-out tournament is something we don't have," said the former Bath and Stade Français coach.
"There is always tomorrow in the Super 14 - there are enough games that if you have one bad game you can make up for it.
"There is no doubt, the Heineken Cup is very tough. The Premiership in England, you are playing for the top four [to reach the semi-finals], top six [to qualify for Europe], promotion and relegation. They are huge stakes every week.
"It brings a different style of rugby. It is not always a better style of rugby. It is a no-risk style whereas the southern hemisphere teams play a freer style.
"We were dangerous at times yesterday but you have got to give England credit for their breakdown work and their defence was very forceful."
Australia were "thumped" at the breakdown and, for the second time in two years, their pack crumbled under England huge pressure.
Youngsters like Berrick Barnes and Adam Ashley-Cooper, who had previously enjoyed something of a red carpet ride in Test rugby, were given a rude awakening.
"They won't forget yesterday," said Connolly.
"It is part of the growing process and they will be better for it."
But in many ways Australia must now start again. George Gregan and Stephen Larkham have retired from playing Test rugby and Connolly has hung up his coach's clipboard.
Connolly has held talks with the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) over a potential role in the future structure but the search has already begun for a new head coach.
ARU chief executive John O'Neill admitted the right candidate does not necessarily have to be Australian and Robbie Deans, one of the potential front-runners, may now be a step closer to taking the New Zealand job following their elimination yesterday.
"We have a lot of challenges ahead. We have some very good young kids coming through but also a lot of retirements as well - 240 caps left the game yesterday," he said.
"We have to realise there is no point wall-papering over the cracks. There is a lot of work to do.
"We have a selection panel in place for the new coach and in early November we hope to be in a position to make a recommendation to the board.
"It is a critical appointment as we start to rebuild and re-engineer Australian rugby.
"The preferred option is the best person for the job and if he was an Australian that would be a bonus."
Michael Foley will continue in his position as forward coach but the roles of defence specialist John Muggleton and attack expert Scott Johnson will be reviewed.
