Lads, how difficult is place kicking? There seem to be so few truly accurate place kickers even in the highest echelons of the game that I have to assume it's some form of mysterious dark art. I wasn't bad at it in my school days (never had the duties, messed around on the practice field) but I never had range, could just barely get it to the crossbar from 25-30m with my skinny frame back then.
On Saturday Donaldson had two chances to win the game for Australia. Once to put them 8 points ahead. Sure, tough angle, right on the righthand touchline just outside the 22. Shanked it so badly Ireland managed to launch a nasty counter from it and not long after scored to take a two point lead.
Then with time up Donaldson had another chance to win the game - slightly further than the previous one, still an angle but not so bad. Pushed it way out right.
Surely these dudes at this level should be kicking better than this? I know pressure tells, but god damn, neither of those kicks were even close. They should have just gone for touch after the first shanked one and had a go. Makes me wonder if the importance of goal kicking is being downplayed for other skills. Hard to believe that after we saw the Boks win the '23 World Cup with three goal kick fueled victories in a row.