The Wallabies are on the verge of greatness

Roar Pro

By Chris McKay, 18 Jul 2009 The Crowd is a Roar Pro

Tagged:: All Blacks, Bledisloe Cup, Rugby Union, wallabies

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The Wallabies are on the verge of something. Though what that is, we won’t know until later tonight. Expectations of the team are very high, and one has a feeling that they’re on the verge of creating something very special.

A first up win will set up their chances for claiming back the Bledisloe, and with two Tests against the ‘Boks in Australia, a real shot at the Tri-Nations.

A win tonight represents more than just some silverware.

A win will send a very clear message to not only the All Blacks and Boks, but to the rest of the nations who will encounter the Wallabies on their way to the 2011 RWC, that they are a force to be reckoned with.

To win, the Wallabies will need to be precise in all facets of their game.

The battle up front will be a real challenge and the Wallaby front row will really dig in. Our lineout and scrum must set a solid platform for our backs.

The Wallabies have shown very little first phase attack, but I suspect that Deans has been keeping a few nice little moves up his sleeve for this game.

Our tactical kicking has definitely improved, but without a stable platform to work from, this will only relieve pressure and not build it.

The breakdown will be mayhem tonight. The Wallaby pack must hunt together as the All Blacks will really attack the breakdown in numbers and McCaw will certainly not hold back.

The required ingredients for the Wallabies to start the Tri-Nations with a win tomorrow night are all there, but the team needs to play for one another and play for a full 80 minutes if they are to succeed.

If the Wallabies lose tonight, then they really are no further along than were after last year’s Eden park thrashing and some serious questions will be asked, as aside from Elsom, the best Wallaby team we can field will all be on deck.

It’s time for another golden age of Wallaby rugby.

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The Crowd Says (73) | Page 1 of Comments

pothale said | July 18th 2009 @ 5:46am | Report comment

Greatness? So if a team beats the All Blacks they’re destined for greatness. Must let France know that. Hadn’t realised that so much depended on one game. Wow!

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Even looser said | July 18th 2009 @ 10:34am | Report comment

Chris – Your headline or something you were gifted?

Overall nothing in the article that we don’t already know & feel i.e. if we’re to win we must outplay them. Same as always really.

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sheek said | July 18th 2009 @ 10:38am | Report comment

This is an unwise article to write BEFORE the event, & would be inconclusive AFTER the event, even if the Wallabies won.

Elsewhere, another poster opined that teams struggling to draw a first cricket test, rarely hit back quickly. So look what’s happening in the second Ashes test?

As Pothale suggests, one swallow doesn’t make a summer. If the Wallabies win both the BC & 3N series in fine style, then we might all sit up & take notice.

Early days, Chris, early days. Far too early to be making these kind of statements.

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Hayden said | July 18th 2009 @ 12:20pm | Report comment

Webster’s dictionary: Hyperbole = Australian sports fan.

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jules said | July 18th 2009 @ 12:59pm | Report comment

where do gold coast all blacks supporters go to watch games? is there a sports bar that shows games on the big screen with the sound up? not having much luck finding a good venue for good rugby watching atmosphere. can anyone help?

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Rob Hill said | July 18th 2009 @ 1:24pm | Report comment

Same old Aussie cockiness.Saying there going to win but failing at gametime.Its like the Waratahs who are talked of as S14 champions at the start of season but never deliver.Good Luck,as you are going to need it.

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Even looser said | July 18th 2009 @ 4:46pm | Report comment

‘Aussie cockiness’? What the???

In truth the vasr majority of Wallaby fans are happy to be competitive with the All Blacks. Sure we’ll take a win but no one that I meet is taking anything for granted.

At present I’m enjoying the Randwick v Beasties 21-17. Oops 24-17.

Anyways……..time to get myself ready for the big one.

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Bonza said | July 18th 2009 @ 7:21pm | Report comment

Deja vu – next year – The reality is there are only 2 of this current AB’s team that would make a World XV on form so the Wallabies loss (when everyone thinks they are going to win) should be considered in that context

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Mike said | July 18th 2009 @ 7:29pm | Report comment

Wallabies were the better team, particularly our pack. Not that we don’t still have a lot to work on of course – too much nervousness by both sides – ABs only got their tail up after a string of dubious (or outright wrong) refereeing decisions when their way.

But I agree, even if we had won it would have nothing to do with “greatness” – many games are necessary to show that.

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Rob Hill said | July 18th 2009 @ 7:31pm | Report comment

Blacks won,guess you will have to write an article on how well Blacks forwards played them some credit.
Wallabies were just not up to it again.

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