As the Wallabies go into their first Tri-Nations Test of 2008 against the Springboks at Perth, the ARU has released statistics of the first three Tests under the coaching of Robbie Deans.
What the statistics show is a season so far that has exceeded expectations, with new players making a successful transition into the testy arena, and results, especially the record win over France, that were not anticipated at the beginning of the season.
Will the statistics of the next three Tests be so golden?
Lansdowne Cup
Australia 18, Ireland 12 at Telstra Dome, Melbourne, 14 June 2008
NOTES
* Luke Burgess, Peter Hynes and Dean Mumm all made their Test debuts – becoming Wallabies 821 (Burgess), 822 (Hynes) and 823 (Mumm) respectively.
* When he replaced Matt Dunning, NSW Waratahs prop Al Baxter earned his 52nd Test cap, advancing ahead of his former state coach Ewen McKenzie as the most capped Australian prop in Test history.
* This represented Australia’s 19th success from 27 Test matches played against Ireland – reversing a 6-21 defeat from the previous meeting, at Dublin in November 2006. Six Wallabies featured in both matches.
* It was also the Wallabies’ ninth consecutive win against Ireland in home matches dating back to 1987, having lost the first three meetings on home soil in 1967, and twice in 1979.
Trophee des Bicentenaires
First Test: Australia 34, France 13 at ANZ Stadium, Sydney, June 28
NOTES
* Ryan Cross and Ben Alexander made their debuts off the bench, becoming Wallabies 824 and 825 respectively.
* This was the 11th Test between France and Australia in Sydney, and the Wallabies’ seventh win – as against a draw and three defeats.
* Australia’s 21-point winning margin represented its largest in Tests against France on home soil, until eclipsed the following week in the second international.
Second Test: Australia 40, France 10 at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, July 5
NOTES
* Lachie Turner made his Test debut – the sixth to debut for the Qantas Wallabies in three 2008 Tests, and the 826th Australian representative.
* Peter Hynes (5th minute) and Ryan Cross (57th minute) crossed for their maiden tries in Tests.
* Matt Giteau compiled 20 points after scoring 19 the previous week in the first Test.
* When Giteau kicked his third penalty goal in the 28th minute, he became just the fifth Australian to move beyond 300 Test points. He finished the match with 306 to his name.
* In taking the field as a replacement in the 50th minute, George Smith earned his 86th Test cap, tying John Eales’ tally as the most capped Australian Test forward, and joining Eales and Joe Roff as the fourth most capped Wallabies in history.
* This was the 38th meeting between Australia and France, with the Wallabies’ victory being Australia’s 20th, as aside 16 defeats and two draws.
* The win was Australia’s 13th from 18 home matches. France has won four, while a further match was drawn.
* Australia’s 30-point winning margin was a record in matches between the two nations at all venues, eclipsing the previous mark, which was established when the Wallabies won the 1999 Rugby World Cup final against France by a 23-point margin.
* The 40 points Australia scored represented the country’s second highest tally in a match against France, surpassed only by the 48-31 win at Brisbane in 1990.
2008 Test Appearances as of 12/7/08 (overall Test career appearances in brackets)
Ben Alexander 2 (2)
Adam Ashley-Cooper 2 (14)
Berrick Barnes 3 (7)
Al Baxter 3 (54)
Luke Burgess 3 (3)
Sam Cordingley 3 (17)
Ryan Cross 2 (2)
Matt Dunning 1 (37)
Rocky Elsom 3 (35)
Adam Freier 3 (23)
Matt Giteau 3 (54)
Stephen Hoiles 1 (16)
James Horwill 3 (4)
Peter Hynes 3 (3)
Hugh McMeniman 1 (13)
Stephen Moore 3 (22)
Stirling Mortlock 3 (66)
Dean Mumm 3 (3)
Wycliff Palu 2 (19)
Benn Robinson 3 (9)
Nathan Sharpe 2 (66)
Cameron Shepherd 3 (9)
George Smith 3 (86)
Lote Tuqiri 2 (60)
Lachie Turner 1 (1)
Phil Waugh 3 (69)Squad members who didn’t feature on the field:
Richard Brown (0), Mark Chisholm (35), Digby Ioane (1), Tatafu Polata-Nau (3), Brett Sheehan (1).
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