By Andrew Logan
September 6th 2009 @ 5:38am
Wallabies find a reason to win
On Friday night I tuned into the big league match of the round – the Dragons playing the Eels, with the winner to boast some serious claims to premiership favouritism.
The Eels have been running hotter than hot, whilst the Dragons have endured some tough weeks after a strong start to the season. Notwithstanding recent form, it was no contest. Despite many fans wondering if they still had their mojo working, the Dragons were never headed and on the few occasions they had the ball, the Parramatta attack was shut down in by a Dragons defence that could only be described as a brick wall.
What chance the Wallabies of turning in a similar performance, I wondered? Well, I soon found out. Like many of the non-St-George league fans who were deathriding the Dragons, I found that it just doesn’t pay to write a team off too early.
On Saturday night I tuned into the big rugby match of the weekend, the Springboks vs the Wallabies. The Springboks had been running hotter than hot, whilst the Wallabies had endured some tough weeks after an adequate start to the season. Despite many fans wondering if they even had any mojo left, the Wallabies were never headed.
How could this be? How does a team whose last couple of starts have been so error ridden that your head could explode just watching them, overnight become a clinical machine in control of a match from beginning to end?
To be fair to the Springboks, the turnaround is not as great as it might appear at first glance. The Tri-Nations is an inherently close competition. With only 3 teams who consistently sit at the top of the world rankings, how could it be otherwise?
Not only is the overall competition close, but the Springboks and the Wallabies historically don’t travel well to each other’s countries. The Springboks are better than the Wallabies in this regard, but not by much, and both teams have had shockers playing away in the last couple of years.
Although the Springboks are over-endowed with world XV players (Matfield, Botha, Habana, de Villiers, Fourie, du Preez, du Plessis would all press for selection), at the end of the day it is still also just fifteen on fifteen and when one fifteen fires, anything can happen.
The fans perhaps shouldn’t be surprised anyway. The Wallabies camp has consistently said that they were building to something, and Boks skipper John Smit presciently reminded anyone who’d listen that there wasn’t much between a 46-0 flogging at Suncorp in 2006 and the 2007 World Cup.
Of course, all of this only explains the opportunity that existed, the fact that circumstance would allow a win. It doesn’t explain the execution of the turnaround itself. So, how did it happen?
For a start, and for the first time in ages, the Wallabies showed clear and apparent desire in everything they did. The focus in their approach was obvious as was the urgency and the desire to set the pace of the match.
Desire isn’t something you can manufacture out of nothing. Within a rugby team, desire comes from wanting something for those around you as much as you want it for yourself. It comes from being down and realizing that you want to get up. It comes from self respect and the desire to show others, and show yourself that you are worthy.
These wounded Wallabies seemed to suddenly realize that the only way out of the hole they were in, was to play their way out. And so they did.
Like the Dragons on Friday night, the Wallabies muscled up in numbers and hit hard when they got there. Tatafu Polota-Nau tackled strongly and made two telling hits on Brussow and du Preez which jolted the ball free and turned the flow of the match. When Jacques Fourie was storming toward the Wallaby line after a de Villiers break, there were 5 or 6 Wallabies on hand to drag him down, immediately form up into a defensive line and force the turnover on the next phase.
These were the inches the Wallabies had struggled to find in previous matches, but their desire to earn respect from each other and from the fans pushed them to greater efforts. Rocky Elsom’s hands may not be the best, but his heart is without peer, and it was as though his teammates had finally followed his example.
The lineout redeemed itself, again through the reliability of Elsom jumping at 2. The throw was also largely predictable which ensured the Wallabies a regular flow of possession. At the other set piece, the scrum battle was even enough, although the Wallabies may have shaded the Boks towards the end of the match with the South African front row twice popping up like startled meerkats as the pressure came on.
The highball, which had also been an achilles heel for the Wallabies in recent weeks, was solid as you like with Lachie Turner particularly taking his own advice, and working hard to position well and take the ball on his chest.
Each of these facets – the defence, the set piece and the surety in fielding the kicked ball, invariably meant that halfback Will Genia had a stable platform from which to distribute ball and he was a joy to watch. Low to the ground, marshalling his troops, barking orders and sweeping the ball off the deck with a fluent and accurate pass, Genia’s decision making was also first rate, and he was unlucky to not score on debut with a swift and correct decision to take a quick tap from a penalty in front of the posts.
He was not the only Wallaby to be denied. Lachie Turner was prevented from scoring by an utterly brilliant piece of cover defence from Bryan Habana, and Matt Giteau narrowly missed capitalizing on Adi Jacobs brain-snap inside pass, when his foot slipped inches into touch as he grounded the ball.
The Wallabies could have had 5 tries with a little luck, but more gratifying than that was the fact that they kept working and pressuring the Springboks even though things weren’t always going their way. Eventually the pressure worked in their favour and something did go their way, with Adam Ashley-Cooper running a transcendent unders line to slice through the Boks defence and swan dive over the chalk virtually untouched.
The try illustrated all that was good about the Wallaby backline on the night, with the players working together, Berrick Barnes taking the pressure off Matt Giteau and freeing him up to threaten the line from further out, and finally Ashley-Cooper hitting the gap with intent, speed and angle.
His post try celebration spoke volumes about the pressure the Wallabies have been under lately. It was almost as though Ashley-Cooper was apologizing to the fans for the recent run of horror rugby, and the players and fans embraced like lovers who had found each other again after a bad breakup and a year or so apart.
Are we all friends again? Well, Australian fans are not nasty or bloody minded, but they are very unforgiving of teams which don’t value the jersey, or who look like they are not really interested. On tonight’s form, the Wallabies probably would have played themselves back into favour even if they didn’t win, because it was clear that they were trying their guts out. More than that, they finally played some smart and composed rugby.
Unlike the Dragons in the NRL, the Wallabies chances to pick up some silverware in this year’s Tri Nations are long gone. They won’t want to help out the All Blacks either, because the only way for the All Blacks to win the Tri-Nations, is for them to beat both the Wallabies and Springboks in their remaining two games. From a trophy perspective, it’s all over.
There’s nothing for the Wallabies to play for now, except pride. And if Saturday night is any indication, that might be the best reason of all.
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(91)
Dave said | September 6th 2009 @ 5:55am | Report comment
Talk about ticker, what a game of Rugby!
Rickety Knees said | September 6th 2009 @ 6:12am | Report comment
Best game of Rugby I have seen in a long while
Shahsan said | September 6th 2009 @ 7:26am | Report comment
Surely you watched the SA vs Lions series? Though last night was good, those the first two of that series was surely much better.
QC said | September 6th 2009 @ 7:12pm | Report comment
Does the fact the SA won those two matches make them better games in your eyes?
Shahsan said | September 6th 2009 @ 9:07pm | Report comment
Why, QC? What does it matter? I’m neither British nor South African, but just a true, rugby-loving neutral.
The first two were great contets with everything except perhaps the right result in the second, as the SA win unfortunately rendered the third game a dead rubber. That’s why I didnt consider the thrid test as good.
QC said | September 6th 2009 @ 9:11pm | Report comment
Interesting answer Shahsan,
I personally think they game last night was definately up there. the wallabies turned everything up on its head, a dramatic turnaround if ever I saw one. The game was up there and sadly South Africa had no answer for the intensity that the Aussies dished out. The defence from both teams was outstanding in the first 40. The second stanza the tempo lifted further and it was only a matter of time before one team cracked and it just happened to be the Springboks.
A very good game and I differ on your view I believe this is one of the best games I have seen this international season to date.
Shahsan said | September 6th 2009 @ 9:29pm | Report comment
We will have to agree to disagree. To me, the main difference is that last night’s game was more error strewn and the Boks had a slightly tired look about them. The Lions games had a bit more drama, with everthiing on show: great play, titanic scrum battles, swining tides of ascendancy, bad mistakes, close finishes, poor coaching decisions, brilliant tries, all played in brilliant aftrenoon sunshine.
While I agree that last night was also very good, i think it was more a case of us having had our expectations lowered to the point that as long as it was half decent, we would have been happy. The lions games promised much — and delivered spades more.
QC said | September 6th 2009 @ 10:24pm | Report comment
I disagree with just about everything you have to say. The Lions series wasn’t all you are making it out to be.
Viscount Crouchback said | September 6th 2009 @ 10:37pm | Report comment
The Lions series was the first time since circa 2003 that a set of matches involving a northern hemisphere team has been of indubitably higher quality than those involving southern teams.
The South Africans won’t say it publicly, but I suspect that privately they think the Lions series was a class above this Tri Nations in terms of intensity, pace and quality. This intra-south competition is a step down from what they faced earlier in the summer. It was also interesting to read the New Zealand forwards claiming that their games against France were more physically intense and demanding than their first game against the Wallabies.
All the signs are that the north is on the way back – and not before time.
QC said | September 6th 2009 @ 11:03pm | Report comment
Viscount, First I heard that the ABs thought the french were tougher up front and I live in New Zealand. The ABs that played the French are also not the same ABs who have played the majority of the Tri-Nations there are some major changes from that team.
I’m not saying the Tri-Nations is anything special this year but Australia were in a different class last night and had that team who turned up at Suncorp last night come up against the Lions I think they would easily have put them away. The Wallabies forwards were on another level than any team has put up so far in the Tri-Nations. The way Genia and Barnes were directing their lads around the park was delightful to watch, I don’t say this lightly being a Kiwi. South Africa didn’t know what to do under pressure they imploded they were off because Australia were so dominant there wasn’t anything they could do to counter it. On the otherhand I have said it many times already I believe the ineptness of the Wallabies and All Blacks and the many schoolyard mistakes they made, have in turn made the Boks to look alot better than what the really are.
I’m looking forward to Hamilton.
P.s I’ll believe the North are back on top when the individual nations actually occupy all top three spots in the IRB rankings.
Actually in saying that has their ever been a time when the NH teams have occupied positions 1 through 3?
How do we go about finding out?
Ray said | September 7th 2009 @ 7:41am | Report comment
QC, me again =) Mate why is it that you are so adamant that somebody can’t express their opinion? I have watched your comments closely, invariably bloggers tend to give credit where credit is due and leave people to their devices. Let Shahsan have his opinion, if he feels the Lions series was better, who cares??
GPR-SA said | September 6th 2009 @ 6:14am | Report comment
Well done Wallabies. I really thoughthatthe Springboks were up to taking this one. Instead they were up aginst a better team who were deserved winners.
It was a great game and wonderful to see both teams playing adventuous running rugby. Rugby was the biggest winner on the night.
I think the boks will play a much more structured game next week. I don’t think that we’ll too much running from the 22 as the boks will want to prevengt the AB’s from getting the 4 tries needed for the bonus point.
To all of those despaing Wallaby supporters of the last few week, as I said previously – have more faith in your team, don’t write them off so easily. I would have loved to see the Boks win and wrap up the cup lastnight, but it was wonderful to see the turnaound of the team and the younger players making the difference. Ginea and Poccock were brilliant!
Now Wallabies, all I ask in return for not allowing us a bonus point, please win in NZ. As last night showed, on this form that you are indeed world beaters. Looking very promising for 2011
gekko said | September 6th 2009 @ 6:38am | Report comment
It has been a while, but it was worth the wait … 2011, bring it on. All we need is … we got it already.
Thanks All for the night.
Matt0931 said | September 6th 2009 @ 7:14am | Report comment
Wallabies had a crakcer didn’t they? I think the fact that Barnes was back in the team made a clear difference to the backs performance tonight. They were much more structured and looked much more comfortable with the guy next to them.
I still think Barnes and Giteau need to swap places and I think by the time the next world cup comes around Barnes should be our captain.
Speaking of captains, Mortlock must be wetting his pants after seeing how well Ashley-Cooper performed at outside-centre! I will be surprised if Mortlock will be around after the November tours – if he even makes it into the November touring squad.
minchi said | September 6th 2009 @ 10:40am | Report comment
Adding to the fact that Ioane will probably be back from injury, I’ll be very surprised to see Sterlo back in the gold jumper.
Shahsan said | September 6th 2009 @ 7:31am | Report comment
Stirring performance by Australia. As some of us have ben saying, once Australia cuts out its mistakies, perform the basics well, and inject some passion into their play, then the laws of the game and the ref’s calls will all cease to matter. Good job, Wallabies. The pressure is now on the Boks. Will they choke again in Hamilton?
Dingbat said | September 6th 2009 @ 7:55am | Report comment
I’ve got a horrible feeling in my bones about the eventual outcome of this tri-nations…
Aus were very good. Their newcomers threw caution to the wind and played with passion; conviction and determination. The Boks could not handle the pressure and looked deflated for most of the game. Well done to Aus, very well deserved victory!
Harry Callahan said | September 6th 2009 @ 8:02am | Report comment
Fantastic game !!! Exciting from go to whoa! Wallabies now need to show this wasn’t a fluke by doing the same thing to the ABs.
ExpatSin said | September 6th 2009 @ 8:24am | Report comment
Great win by Oz. SA looked tired and not interested. No heart. I guess travelling does not agree with the Bok.
JustinB said | September 6th 2009 @ 3:58pm | Report comment
Come again? Didn’t SA just win away from home last week?
I agree SA looked tired, but I would say that traveling does not agree with every rugby team in the world except the All Blacks
sheek said | September 6th 2009 @ 8:46am | Report comment
Yep,
I try to give constructive ctiticism, & I also give constructive praise.
Haven’t seen a copy of the game yet, but an awesome win apparently.
Not that it means we can suddenly forget about the other problems bedeviling Australian rugby.
CraigB said | September 6th 2009 @ 9:11am | Report comment
Genia must have been close to MoM honours also, but a dominant game by Big Benn. Can anyone explain why Genia try attempt was not a penalty try considering both players tackled him without retiring? Do that and he scores…
Wally James said | September 6th 2009 @ 11:30am | Report comment
Excellent point. Lawa 21.7 (b) and (c) are the ones you want to show that there was an infringement that was penalisable. Further Law 10.2 provides that where someone intentionally offends (as the boks would seem to have done) the penalty must be a penalty try if, but for that offence, a try would probably have been scored. Seemed a clear case of try time to me.
Barnes decision was not helped in the least by George Ayoub as TMO. He told Barnes the ball was ripped out by the Bok and it did not go dead. Ayoub was asked what the next play should be and he suggested that Barnes could go back for the penalty. However Barnes correctly pointed out the penalty had already been taken. Should that not have been the case then how did Genia get over the line? Of course it had been taken and Barnes could not go back for it. George muddied the already roiling waters I thought.
How the wallabies got a scrum with their feed out of Genia knocking it on in-goal is beyond me. Ayoub was simply asked “Is there any reason why I cannot award a try?” The answer to that should have been “None provided it is a penalty try.” Still, we all make mistakes.
jeznez said | September 6th 2009 @ 3:24pm | Report comment
it was ruled knocked back and then failed to be grounded by either team, if Gits had laid a hand on it when he arrived the try would have been awarded, The ball only wound up dead when the ref blew his whistle so the restart became a scrum to the attacking team.
Didn’t even occur to me that we should have complained for the PT but the description above seems pretty clear cut.
Wally James said | September 6th 2009 @ 3:46pm | Report comment
jeznez
That would explain it. I did not hear knock back mentioned and assumed it was knocked on. But I think maybe the ruling should have been there was a stoppage in play when the Law did not provide for it and so play restarts with a scrum and the team moving forward (rather than the attacking team) has the feed (Law 20.4(d)). Same result in any event.
Cheers
Wally
Jerry G said | September 6th 2009 @ 4:02pm | Report comment
While technically it probably should have been a penalty try, you’ll rarely find a ref who pings a team for not being back 10 when they retreat (they never moved forward) and only tackle the player when he’s gone about 9 metres, as Genia had. It would have been a pedantic and harsh call to give a penalty try in that situation.
However, if Genia had been aware, he might have taken the approach Conrad Smith did in a recent match whereby you point at the retreating defender and tell the ref he’s offside – it gave him the split second he needed to score a try.
Jerry G said | September 6th 2009 @ 4:13pm | Report comment
Actually having just checked the replay, I’m not even sure it’s clear that he didn’t run 10 before he got tackled. The penalty was about 10 metres from the try-line, but with out markings it’s hard to tell if it’s 10m, 9.5, 11 or whatever. The Boks held off and only tackled him when he was about a metre from the line, so you’d have to actually get the measuring stick and surveying pegs to be certain it was a penalty at all, let alone a penalty try. It might have been offside, but it was a very close run thing.
Mitch (in Valencia) said | September 6th 2009 @ 10:42pm | Report comment
Being a surveyor Jerry G, i love how you blended my religion of rugby and my work into the one post!! Now that would be a dream job for a rugby loving surveyor – verifying offside calls in rugby….!
JustinB said | September 6th 2009 @ 9:22am | Report comment
Wallabies = hungry and desire desire desire desire, with nothing to lose
Springboks = looked flat and not up for it
Pretty simple really.
In fact it reminded me of the time the Boks beat the All Blacks in Rustenburg in 2006 or when they caned Australia last year in JHB. Motivation is a powerful force.
The Other Reds Fan. said | September 6th 2009 @ 9:29am | Report comment
What a difference it makes to have a forward pack that can hold its own. Hopefully Baxter is gone forever and its looks like Chisholm will keep Sharpe at bay. I also thought that Polota-Nau was noticeably more effective than Moore. My only concern for the forwards, apart from a lack of depth, is that we don’t have a specialist No.8 which meant that we didn’t compete in the lineout. Why doesn’t Rocky play No.8?
I am sure that Mitchell will be the one to go when Digby gets back. Stirling will come back at 13 as he is the only genuine line buster and I think AAC will go to the bench due to his versatility and because O’Connor is playing well.
There seems little point keeping Burgess at all.
My starting backline, when fit, would be (sorry if I got the wingers’ numbers mixed up):
9. Genia;
10. Barnes;
11. Ioane;
12. Giteau;
13. Mortlock;
14. Turner;
15. O’Connor.
Two back reserves:
1. Sheehan;
2. AAC.
BAS said | September 6th 2009 @ 10:02am | Report comment
one fluke win after loosing 6 straight and the wallabies are lauded as world beaters again…astonishing
ohtani's jacket said | September 6th 2009 @ 10:11am | Report comment
It wasn’t a fluke, but c’mon, you could see this coming a mile way. Wallabies UP!
I think it’s hilarious that there’s borderline praise for Deans’ selections.
cookee said | September 6th 2009 @ 12:04pm | Report comment
OJ ,yes;quite.
but a very emotioally relieved deans who has erred a tad
CraigB said | September 6th 2009 @ 10:11am | Report comment
Sorry Bas – you don’t fluke wins by 15 points, especially against the world champs. They didn’t lose 6 six straight in any case, only 6 tri nations games against the top 2 teams in the world. You sound like you’ve eaten a handful of sour grapes. This week they indeed world beaters, but they now need to show they can back it up.
hammer said | September 6th 2009 @ 11:08am | Report comment
Good result sure – but if the wallabies couldn’t win game like that then they really are in trouble
that game was a damn near mirror image of that structureless mess in Sydney last year – and that’s what Aust want to try and play and suck other teams into playing -a fast open game avoiding as much structure as possible – and unbelievably the boks tried to play them at it – perhaps they’ve started to believe their own hype – that they’re so good they can play way they like
cookee said | September 6th 2009 @ 11:50am | Report comment
unconsciously boks thought they just had to turn up.botha,burger demongreled,habana not 100% and mishmash tactically.throw in homesoil,consistent ref and aust gutsy effort and wallaby victory .which was not a surprise to clear thinking roarers.
indeed what took the brainstrust so long to see what posters have called for;probably too busy filing spurious reasons for failed selections and strategy,they cant have it both ways.
QC said | September 6th 2009 @ 7:23pm | Report comment
GraigB
While I agree with most of what you say I think the “especially against the world champs” does nothing for your post. Yes we know SA won the tournament but over the last few weeks I think it has become rather clear that while WC holders they may be they haven’t exactly been the most dominant team in recent years but only for a few weeks this year and a few weeks in 07,.
Congratulations to the Wallabies they played an outstanding game and the Boks were clueless and were forced into making many errors.
Now all we have to see before we can really start raising the roof is for the Aussies to knock over the most dominant team in history and more recently the last four years of Tri-Nations rugby. If they played like they did last night I don’t see it as being too much of a problem for them.
Now where is Stirlo going to fit into all of this?
Ryan said | September 6th 2009 @ 11:51am | Report comment
They smashed the World Champions, that makes them world beaters in my book for this week at least
Harry said | September 6th 2009 @ 10:05am | Report comment
Credit must be given to the ref who applied the rules to both teams without favouritism, something that both Joubert and kaplan should learn from.
Jerry G said | September 6th 2009 @ 12:55pm | Report comment
Really – who did they favour then? Grow up.
Eagle said | September 6th 2009 @ 6:35pm | Report comment
I am very happy for Australia that their young team played with such sparkle and commitment. There where numerous reasons why the Wallabies deserved to win the match, but please do not praise Barnes. He does not deserve it.
Please look at the replay carefully and the offsides, side entries to the mauls by the wallabies that when unpenalised. Please look at how Fourie was played behind the ruck without the ball on numerous occassions. Offside at the lineout by Moore that was also just left.
From and SA point of view Barhes was as poor as he was from an All Black point of view in the RWC.
QC said | September 6th 2009 @ 7:26pm | Report comment
Only days ago SA fans were chastisizing AB fans for even hinting Barnes had a shocker.
So Eagle time to bite your lip on this one sunshine like you expect New Zealanders to do, Just deal with it!!!
Just thankyour lucky stars it wasn’t a World Cup Quarter Final
reds fan said | September 6th 2009 @ 11:06am | Report comment
What a great night out! The Wallabies finally played with the energy and commitment we had all been wanting.
TPN was a human missile! Genia as I suggested would take the opportunity offered to him. It was interesting to read that he says he doesnt get nervous. He certainly proved that last night. Beautiful service to the backs.
The pack really stood up. Horwil had his best game this year, Rocky led the way, Robinson is emerging as truly great prop. Pocock was also better for starting.
What was also great was the energy in defense. It reminded my of the young Wallabies team v Barbarians in London.
Cant wait for the replay.
retired rucker said | September 6th 2009 @ 11:23am | Report comment
A fantastic win, even the Saffa’s I was watching with conceded the wallabies where deserved winners and no whinging about the ref.
Now why did it take the brains trust so long to start Genia? I mean all us armchair coached have been screaming for it for 4-6 weeks!
I read somewhere Genia has 2 brothers in the same half back mold, put them on the bench now even if there 12! Imagine a Genia 1-2 off the bench!
NickSA said | September 6th 2009 @ 11:44am | Report comment
Wallabies were fantastic!! Springboks didnt look like winning the entire game which was killing me. Aussies are going to be a serious threat in 2011!!! I wrote in earlier posts that if the boks were going to lose it was going to be in Brisbane!! Hopefully bokke can pick up their game against all blacks!
CraigB said | September 6th 2009 @ 11:52am | Report comment
hammer – “…and that’s what Aust want to try and play and suck other teams into playing -a fast open game avoiding as much structure as possible…” ridiculous call. The Wallabies outplayed SA at scrumtime, held their line-out mostly and contested the breakdown with vigour. They played with structure and by no means avoided it. They just did it better than anytime this year and instead of mindless kicking all the time they chanced their arm when the opportunity was there. The Boks tried to keep up and struggled apart from a few too many breaks in the midfield. They then resorted to their box kick platform but that didn’t work due to Wallaby enthusiasm to run and the required support at the breakdown.
TommyM said | September 6th 2009 @ 11:58am | Report comment
The pace of last night’s game was very quick. And it struck me taht this had a lot to do with Genia getting the ball out and passing as SOON as it was available rather than let it sit there while he sizes up options ala Burgess. This fast pace meant more ball being run and didn’t allow the Boks time to set their defenses well. We actually crossed the line 5 times! Has this happened in any 3Nations matches this year? Also the fitness of the Wallabies came to the fore. I think that this should be our game plan from here in. Force a high tempo game to make opportunities in attack. Fantastic win. Made my week
Working Class Rugger said | September 6th 2009 @ 11:59am | Report comment
Retired
The FoxSports commentators also mentioned he has a brother who plays in the same position for the PukPuks (PNG Rugby team.)
Marty said | September 6th 2009 @ 12:00pm | Report comment
Another classic, it was a lot of fun to watch. Great game guys.
Working Class Rugger said | September 6th 2009 @ 12:04pm | Report comment
TommyM
My mood today has greatly improved from past weeks too. I’m looking forward to next weeks game in Hamilton. The AB’s would have taken notes from last night and the Boks willl be eager to bounce back. I get the feeling the Hamilton fans will get their money’s worth. AB’s by 10. Could be closer. Finally the Tri-Nations are delivering.
JF said | September 6th 2009 @ 12:24pm | Report comment
Have to give a mention to the two Barnes’
Berrick – played with his typical class, must be our 10, he seems to have greater presence and control at first receiver than Giteau.
Wayne – thought he had a good game and contributed to the spectacle, made some spot-on calls at the breakdown and controlled Smit well.
Worlds Biggest said | September 6th 2009 @ 1:03pm | Report comment
Excllent game and one Australian Rugby really needed. The Boks weren’t at there best despite some great defence however the Wallabies were far hungrier. Mark Chisholm makes a difference to the pack, TPN crunching hits and I thought Pocock played well. Robinson, Rocky and Smith were at there usual consistent level. Alexander and Horwill were quiet.
Genia was oustanding, Barnes makes a huge difference to the backline. The rest of the backs all played well. Wallabies could have won by a lot more. Great game.
westy said | September 6th 2009 @ 1:16pm | Report comment
Just happy for a young team to play with confidence and a little risk. Scrummaging outstanding. Never confuse quetions about rugby at the grassroots with support of the game and our national team. Super rugby is a different matter.
Burgess is out and I think Mortlock’s days are numbered. Again do not attack the messenger . Even the Brumbies moved him to the wing for some games.
Brett McKay said | September 6th 2009 @ 1:30pm | Report comment
Westy, can I raise my idea of Mortlock going to fullback again??
Brett McKay said | September 6th 2009 @ 1:29pm | Report comment
Cracking game, one of the better rugby spectacles in the last 18 months or so. Great to see both sides throwing it around, and also to have a ref who was clear on instruction and explanation. It was great to watch all round, and I’d have been just as happy if the Wallabies went down; it was that good a game. Just wish I hit ‘record’…
Perhaps goes a long way to explaining that stories of the Wallabies demise are somewhat premature too…
And Loges, nice parallels between the Wallabies and St.George/Illawarra too. If only they were in similar table position..
Howi said | September 6th 2009 @ 1:41pm | Report comment
I think PATIENCE and SKILL played big roles in this win. Giteau’s drop goal was important and entirely indicative of what the Wallabies were trying to do. It wasn’t for cheap points (which is why we all hate a drop goal). It was a perfectly timed goal and to me this indicated the Wallabies were not about making huge dents in the scoreboard at a time, but rather playing smart rugby and letting the tries follow. It was more important for the Wallabies to keep the scoreboard ticking over – I think this is what hurt the Boks the most and it made them keep looking for ways to adjust. Of course they reverted to a kicking game for a while and the Wallabies were now totally prepared for that. It has been a while since we have been able to give the Wallabies credit for playing the smart rugby they were once reknowned for. 2011 suddenly looks so much better!
retired rucker said | September 6th 2009 @ 2:05pm | Report comment
It was intresting that the aussy bench was not used and I think PDV made an error taking his 6 brousow off and putting burger on. Brousow has to be the fittest SA in the team and he was in absolutley everything.
Congrats wallabies for playing with your heart and passion, it sure lifted everyone at the pub!
O’niel will be spewing he just signed baxter up for 2 yrs,it’l be harder to sack him for disrepute
Brett McKay said | September 6th 2009 @ 2:39pm | Report comment
Rucker, you could definitely say that for replacing Ruan Pienaar with Francois Steyn too. Sure Pienaar had a quiet sort of night, but Steyn spent his couple of minutes on the field trying to out-do each previous bad kick. If it wasn’t down a Wallaby throat in space (which is ironic, considering that’s what the Wallabies did last week) it was out on the full from a dangerous field position..
JustinB said | September 6th 2009 @ 4:03pm | Report comment
The more I see of Francois Steyn the less I want to see of him.
The boy is obviously hugely talented, but is like a wayward bazooka, blowing up opposing teams and his own teammates with equal vigour and frequency.
I think you would rather have someone dependable at the back, like Andre Joubert or Percy Montgomery were (after his stint in Wales).
johnny-boy said | September 6th 2009 @ 2:21pm | Report comment
Toot toot. This is the fat controller speaking. The Wallabies train has arrived at the station. All aboard.
I thought Horwill did a lot of good hard graft and his leaping take from a kickoff was one of the best I have seen in 45 years. Exceptional. Great to see the Wallabies backing their lineout against the best – and everything else for that matter. A real go man go Australian performance, in spite of their conservative Kiwi coach. Far from perfect but good enough for the moment.
Burgess might as well be dumped from the squad, period. It’s a pity the ARU cant arrange for a large bosomed woman for AAC to bury his head in to at the end of the field instead of smelly bloke armpits. Robinson = awesome. Judging by his end of match interview, John Smit is the best and classiest Springbok captain and hooker ever. He makes Springboks and south africans actually look like good blokes you wouldnt mind having a beer with.
If (big if) this train gathers steam, it’ll be damn hard to stop. Impossible even. Especially if Giteau ever regains full form
(the service he got must be making him feel a whole lot more relaxed and prob still cant believe his luck). No player deserves to be dropped after a performance like that. Not even for Mortlock. Tho the thought of Ioane joining that backline is mouth watering.
JustinB said | September 6th 2009 @ 4:05pm | Report comment
Agree about Burgess. Never though he amounted to much and as a South African I was always happy to see him run onto the field (Lote too, but the ARU wised up eventually there…)
ohtani's jacket said | September 6th 2009 @ 5:48pm | Report comment
Somebody has done a one eighty since last week.
Don’t mix your downers with your uppers fellas. You’ll end up thinking you’re the fat controller.
Frank O'Keeffe said | September 6th 2009 @ 2:40pm | Report comment
Can I ask someone in the know, preferably Knives Out (since he has a good knowledge of the scrum, who do you guys think has been the best loosehead prop these tri nations: Benn Robinson or Tony Woodcock? Woodcock is underrated by Aussies in terms of how fantastic he is at scrum time and he was all over the park in Auckland. Robinson is good for a turnover or two every game as well, and at scrum time he’s been terrific.
I like to call it a draw.
jeznez said | September 6th 2009 @ 3:18pm | Report comment
Frank, you mean loosehead there. While it has been very close between those two, the best tighthead has been clear cut in Franks followed by Alexander. Woodcock has been the most influential of the looseheads, in the first test where he hit then faded and collapsed to pull penalties which let the AB’s relieve pressure on their own line. Even more so in the second Bledisloe where he put in an excellent scrum performance and ended Al Baxter’s career. Robinson on the other hand has had to face the tougher opponent in Franks and has done well there.
If you want to compare Woocock and Robinson then its probably best to judge against how they went against Smit, Robinson has been more influential there (but mainly when he has had TPN next to him – the dominance reduced significantly whenever Moore took the field).
Sorry not to have a clear cut answer for you mate – your assessment above calling it a draw is pretty spot on.
OldManEmu said | September 6th 2009 @ 3:22pm | Report comment
Let us not get too carried away with last night Wallaby fans. Yes it ws good to get the win, and it was done it style, but the Boks looked well down on energy and enthusiasm. The big test will be for these boys to back up the effort last night in New Zealand. I am reserving my position on this group and Deans particularly, until after we play NZ
Jameswm said | September 6th 2009 @ 4:04pm | Report comment
Some of you have made some of these points but…
Genia has sewn up the half back position for a while. His kicking and passing were both stronger than Burgess and we got the same snipes. He really has a go and backs himself.
TPN was awesome and many (incl. me) have been calling for him to start for some time. His line out throwing was good enough, but the scrums is the other set piece and how awesome is he there? You could really see the drop when Moore came on. Benn Robbo completely owned John Smit and I don’t know what du Plussis’ problem was, popping his head up in almost every scrum in the 2nd half.
Chis was better than Horwill for the second week in a row, and I never thought I’d be saying that. He seems to have resurrected his career.
Francois Steyn’s was one of the oddest performances I’ve seen for a while.
Overall the passion and attitude were there and it was great to see. Some desperate cover defending from the Boks stopped it from being a slaughter.
On the ref…
Yes it should have been a penalty try with Genia’s quick tap but things happen quickly. Overall the ref was OK (though poor on advantage) and I haven’t said that too often this year. There was another time when we passed into a lazy runner after a Giteau break and the ref did nothing! There was another time when Genia dropped the ball at the back of a ruck because a SA boot deliberately kicked it out of his hands. The refs don’t seem to look for this enough.
One thing the refs miss too often is kick chasers being off side. I think they watch the ball but should be looking at the runners. If a guy clears from his dead ball line, the odds are most or all chasers are off side!,
Matt said | September 6th 2009 @ 6:07pm | Report comment
On the African sites they are screaming for the refs head, so I guess they would agree with you James, but not that he did Australia hard!
I saw many cases where a penalty could have been given. Du Plessis had every right to be cranky about not getting a penalty or two for Aussies holding on in the tackle. I also thought Smith entered many rucks in dodgy positions. While he’s a great stop gap, NO 8 takes too much out of him to do what he does best… scavenge.
Great to see Aussies play with confidence and vigour.
ohtani's jacket said | September 6th 2009 @ 6:34pm | Report comment
Screaming for Barnes’ head? Never!
Nashi said | September 6th 2009 @ 6:41pm | Report comment
OK lets not get too carried away. It was a good win, Australia went up about 2 notches in intensity, SA went down a notch from last week. I thought SA badly missed Habana when they had to fall back on their kick chase game, du Preez was particularly quiet compared to early on in 3N. And let’s face it they were playing with the 3rd and 4th rated wingers by the end.
However, Genia was a breath of fresh air, crisp service, knows when to run, has a good box kick and though I had my heart in my mouth a few times, man can he tackle!
God I hope TPN is fit for NZ, I thought he really set the tone early, putting his body on the line. More was passable but must know that TPN took a big step forward last night. As to B1 and B2, super game from both, by 2011 I would not be suprised if many reagrded them as the premier bookends in world rugby.
Chisholm and Horwill were quiet but did the basics well. I never rated Chisolm but some of his restart takes were sublime.
I really hadn’t thought that Deans would go back to the two open side option again. It certainly paid off, the turnovers were timely and their commitment and execution was at points when we truly had an opportunity to make an impact. I guess that is what they mean by accuracy. Bok 6, 7 and 8 lacked the impact of their Aussie equivalents.
The backs were OK, they still had the fumbles, but I think Robbie should stick with the combination he has, maybe just use Barnes (who looked a bit rusty) more at 10 in broken play. I read somewhere that Gits tends to decide on a play and stick to it, whereas Barnes is more spontaneous from set piece depending on what the opposition is doing. That seems to me a fair summation of the contrasting styles that the two players bring. Barnes is such a great reader of a game. Gits is the great broken field runner. I see him moving out more often over time, Barnes is more like Larkham, he tends to see things others don’t, what he needs to do is use his brain to put others in space. That AAC try was a classic example of a pass into space, it may have been a rehearsed move but I bet the eventual recipient was left to the ballplayer as play unfolded, I don’t think I can remember similar play from Gitteau.
However we still struggle under the high ball and this must be fixed if we want to force teams to change tactics, the Kiwis will still see this as a weakness to be exploited along with the 10/12 channel defence. The lineout calls were much better this week, playing to Elsom so much certainly gave us security if not width, and with security came momentum so it was only a couple of times that it was turned over.
There would be a few worried men who didn’t play last night, among them Baxter, Sharpe, Brown, Burgess (who will be a bench player whenever Genia is fit – is he the new “Anthem”?) and even Mortlock san is exploring options I hear.
I’d be interested to see what impartial observers (Boks and Ozzies need not apply) made of the game in terms of quality, for mine there was too much spilt ball to be a truly great game, having said that the Wallabies enthusiasm was invigorating.
Looking forward to reading the thoughts of Spiro and Wayne Smith tomorrow. A week to be savoured in anticipation of the opportunity for true salvation in Wellington.
Just one more thing, John Smit was extremely gracious in defeat, he may not be the finest tight head in the game but he certainly adds some integrity to the game.
ohtani's jacket said | September 6th 2009 @ 7:47pm | Report comment
That was a great post.
Knives Out said | September 7th 2009 @ 12:58am | Report comment
‘I’d be interested to see what impartial observers (Boks and Ozzies need not apply) made of the game in terms of quality, for mine there was too much spilt ball to be a truly great game, having said that the Wallabies enthusiasm was invigorating.’
Completely agree. A lot of mistakes have conveniently been glossed over in victory, but nonetheless for an English observer there was something ‘invigorating’ (good choice of word) about the game. I enjoyed it and it’s interesting to see the absence of any “THE GAME IS DEAD!” articles that flooded The Roar after the previous result.
ThelmaWrites said | September 7th 2009 @ 1:39am | Report comment
Nashi and Knives Out
Excuse me, I’m an Aussie supporter but I try my best to be impartial!
LOL. Bias merely clouds judgment.
What gratifies me about the Aussie win is that the players are using the full width of the field in their attack, and changing their point of attack. It reminded me of France v Wales in this year’s 6 Nations.
Next item in the To Do List: OFF-LOAD in the tackle. I’ve just watched the first stanzas of last NH autumn’s Australia v Wales, and the early Wales try began with such an offload.
Harry said | September 6th 2009 @ 8:29pm | Report comment
I haven’t read through all the posts above but gee I hope we keep things in perspective – it was a good and very much needed win but things went our way and SA were just a fraction lazy and off their game, and thats all it takes. The business part of the season for the Wallabies finished the week before, the Brisbane and NZ game are opportunities to have a go and earn some redemption, thats all. I hope the usual hysterical cheerleaders keep things toned down.
Some thoughts:
TPN looked very good while he was on, Moore came on and immediately gave away a dumb penalty that led to 3 points, can’t afford such slackness and to do that most tests.
The Pocock/Smith 7/8 combination worked last night, lets see how it goes when everything is on the line in a test in NZ or SA or Twickenham for that matter.
We urgently need Cooper or Toomua or Beale or O’Conner (my choice) to grow into a high class, reliably-defending 10 or 12 because Barnes struggles to see out any game he plays, and can’t be relied on long term. I am one who thinks Gits is better at 12 but we don’t yet have a relaible alternative at 10, Barnes of course could play 10 but reliable and durable he aint.
Genia was great but lets not label him the new saviour just yet. Burgess needs to go back to provincial rugby and work on his game … oh sorry we don’t have that …
No Baxter, Sharpe or Brown – Iong may it continue! All 3 have been given ample opportunity and at this level are confirmed losers. Creds to Chisolm for firing up in the tight.
Would be great to see us have to face an NZ team with everything i.e. a 3N win – to play for in the final game.
Worlds Biggest said | September 6th 2009 @ 8:35pm | Report comment
As Wallabies fans I think the main point of elation over the win was,
1. For the first time this year they played for 80 minutes
2. They looked hungry, great defence and played with intensity
3. Will Genia and Berrick Barnes are the way to go at 9 & 10
4. Composure was there despite missing out on multiple try scoring chances
5. This is a young team
Yes the Boks were not at there best however the Wallabies wanted this one a lot more. I liked John Smit’s comments after the game ” excuses are for losers “. Great mentality although as a player he might be on the way out at this level.
Now the big challenge for the Wallabies is performing well in Wellington in 2 weeks.
reds fan said | September 6th 2009 @ 8:40pm | Report comment
RE Horwill and Chisholm.
Having watched the replay, its not surprising some have suggested they had quiet nights. But when you have hookers being popped (that is not a euphemism!), Genia showing how to play 9, and TPN taking out knee caps, its kind of hard for two big lumps doing the hard graft in close to stand out.
But what they did, was catch, tackle, get the lineout working and drive in close for 80 mins. What they didnt do was hang around in the backline, fall over at the first hint of a tackle or generally stuff up. And for me that is what I want from my locks.
Chisholm has really stepped up and its great to see. Horwill is getting back to his best. They can be a good combo. They wont ever be great pair for lineout artistry, but they are solid.
Harry said | September 6th 2009 @ 8:46pm | Report comment
Strongly agree my fellow Reds sufferer – both Horwill (thought it was easily his best game of 09) and Chis played tight and were strong at restarts, lineouts and (presumably, because we never can be 100% sure) scrums or to put it another way, were part of an excellent forward unit.
Great to see Genia’s emergence – dare we hope that the Reds will avoid the terrible teens (finishing 13th or 14th in the S14) next year?
reds fan said | September 6th 2009 @ 8:59pm | Report comment
Hang on Harry! Don’t give us the kiss of death just yet! hehehehe.
captain nemo said | September 6th 2009 @ 10:11pm | Report comment
Ben Robinson to me announced his presence on the international rugby stage as a world class forward. He has certainly done his apprenticeship now!!! He was playing against the best pack in the world and he stood up and had a stella of a game. Ben is not only a pretty face, he can tip a horse on his day and is a good bloke. onya
ExpatSin said | September 6th 2009 @ 11:26pm | Report comment
Come on lads, give it a rest. As I said the Bok looked tired. Appeared to not want the game. Oz looked hungry. Does this relate to SA not being a good side (no) or does this mean OZ have fixed their problems (no). Both OZ and NZ are in transition. SA is fixed on player rotation. I get sick and tired of all you armchair Ozzie supporters talking about Oz and their “young” team. That’s all you hear from those rabid commentators on Fox Sports. It was NZ that lost 13 of their World Cup Team not Oz. I agree all Oz players are young but so are NZ in blooding young recruits into the test arena. Time will tell. As I also said before, injury assisted in Deans dropping Mortlock. Ashley-Copper was sublime. Will Mortlock still play? Of course he will, but not for long.
Spencer said | September 7th 2009 @ 12:25am | Report comment
Agree with your sentiment wrt getting too carried away after one win.
Some points to consider:
1. The Wallabies team last night had an average age of 23. Surely it must be one of the youngest test teams ever? Anyone care to inform of the NZ teams average age. Not sure of how many test caps in the Australian team last night, however without Smith in the team it would be pretty low. Certainly much lower than NZ.
2. “….or does this mean OZ have fixed their problems (no).” This is essentially a new Wallabies team, therefore no track record to compare with.
3. Robinson, TPN, and Alexander were the 2005 Australian U21 front row. Pek Cowan was on the bench. Who won the 2005 world cup in 2005 (U19 + U21) Junior World Cup (I dont think it had been consolidated at that time).
Generally I think it was refreshing to see young guys show a huge amount of energy and confidence.
jools-usa said | September 7th 2009 @ 1:04am | Report comment
A geat & excting game that had all facets of rugby on display.
Rough edges (dropped passes, not quite in sync to take the pass, etc.,), can be fixed. What doesn’t need fixing
is desire, commitment, and belief in self & team.
It was there in spades on Sat night!
Jool-USA
ThelmaWrites said | September 7th 2009 @ 1:44am | Report comment
I’ve posted the following in a reply to Nashi and Knives out. But replies get sandwiched between others posted on different days and may get overlooked:
“What gratifies me about the Aussie win is that the players are using the full width of the field in their attack, and changing their point of attack. It reminded me of France v Wales in this year’s 6 Nations.
Next item in the To Do List: OFF-LOAD in the tackle. I’ve just watched the first stanzas of last NH autumn’s Australia v Wales, and the early Wales try began with such an offload.”
Bob McGregor said | September 7th 2009 @ 3:57am | Report comment
Enjoyed most posts herein but especially those recently from Jameswm and Nashi. Summed up my thoughts in conjunction with my recent posts.
I posted earlier this week that I thought this was our strongest team and I expected them to win but not with that final scoreline. Great to see and it could have been more if Giteau’s decision making had been better. He makes fantastic breaks but rarely looks for support players. Perhaps 2 more tries may have resulted had he looked to off load. Hopefully he will be reminded of this.
On Burgess – he was our best half by far AFTER Genia became injured during Super 14 competion so became automatic choice until Genia was fit. Dual Wallaby/AB half – Des O’Connor pointed out his weaknesses in an Australian(?) article this week. They can be rectified if he applies himself. A more than adequate reserve for Genia should this occur. Can’t contemplate Sheean.
The Genia ‘no’ try is a real interesting one. Neither tackling defenders were back 10 metres as required otherwise both would have been behind the try line. Both attempted the tackle about two metres from the line inside the ‘dead zone’ so a yellow card could also have been awarded as well. A further try saving ‘tackle’ on Turner by Obana also bears scrutiny as he went in knees first. He sure didn’t use his shoulder in putting Turner into touch. Have noticed he has done this in past games. Has he been cautioned about this technique which he uses close to the touchline. His try saving tackle on Giteau was copy book so we know he can tackle correctly away from the touchline.
Injury is our achilles heel especially where berrick Barnes is concerned. Hopefully he will escape serious injury until after the 2011 RWC, as his backline generalship is crucial to our success.
Frank O'Keeffe said | September 7th 2009 @ 4:41am | Report comment
“Des O’Connor pointed out his weaknesses in an Australian(?) article this week. ”
I used to make this mistake without realising it. It’s ‘Connor’, not “O’Connor”. I think it’s the Irishman in me made me put the ‘O’ on the end. I once wrote Ofahengaue as “O’Fahengaue”.
Here’s what Bob Dwyer said about Burgess:
“Take Luke Burgess. He came into the squad, a breath of fresh air. Enthusiastic, enterprising, athletic, an eye for the break. “the next Nick Farr-Jones”. What was also present but needed refinement were the following defects. Inconsistent in his speed of chase of the ball, too high in his approach to the back of the breakdown contest, too narrow a base during the critical stage of ball delivery, follow through inconsistent in accuracy and length. These necessary but missing competences are not difficult to correct but require knowledgeable, critical, determined coaching application.”
Dwyer’s of the view that the coaching staff are the blame because these are some basic things.
Knives Out said | September 7th 2009 @ 5:06am | Report comment
Des O’Connor?! This guy?
http://www.des-oconnor.com/
Bob McGregor said | September 7th 2009 @ 1:33pm | Report comment
Knives Out.
Thanks for link – am now listening to his album ‘comeon”. Doubt I’ll buy though.
Knives Out said | September 7th 2009 @ 8:39pm | Report comment
The man’s a UK legend. We only accept the very best in England..
Shahsan said | September 7th 2009 @ 8:53pm | Report comment
Irony. i love it
Terry Kidd said | September 7th 2009 @ 5:27am | Report comment
A couple of points from my view of things.
Barnes the ref went ok. Yes, he allowed some dodgey entry into the rucks but it seemed to go both ways. Ok, he missed a PT for Genia but hey I didn’t pick it up at the time either so I’ll forgive that.
I don’t think the Boks were down for this match I thought they had their energy sapped, especially the packs energy so they couldn’t counter ruck as vigorously as in previous games. The Wallabies gained very quick ball and service from the breakdown which did not give the Bok forwards time to settle and rest. They were continually on the move and got committed as individuals when they arrived at the breakdown rather than as a flood of two or three. This was not as noticeable in the first half but certainly was in the last 30 minutes.
Second point is that the Wallaby defence was very good but improved in intensity as the match wore on. The Boks started to doubt themselves and got a little tired which made the defensive task a little easier.
Third point Wallaby kick chase was not good. Have a look mat the replay and see how often the commentary said that only Elsom has chased. Elsom was outstanding here but the rest were lazy.
The Wallaby scrum mostly dominated the Boks. Smit had a very rough night of it and he isn’t a tight head. PDV should play him at hooker and bring in a specialist tight head. I say the Wallaby scrum mostly dominated, because the Boks again showed that wheeling a scrum at the right time also opens up a great attacking opportunity. They wheeled an attacking scrum about 20m out in the first half and very nearly scored from it …. a tactic the Wallaby pack should look at when playing the ABs.
Overall I thought the Wallabies started off with a committed attitude in defence but the confidence in attack was shaky, hence a few dropped balls and passes missing the mark. I thought the Boks started off confident and composed but a few rib ticklers from TPN and good all round defence, plus quick play started to sap their energy and their confidence ebbed with their energy. The Wallaby confidence grew with the fact that their set piece was performing and they were getting ball, that their defence didn’t leak and that they started to make in roads into the Boks …. crossing the line 3 times (without getting tries) certainly helped.
For next week the Boks should only change the front row …. they need some stability there. For the Wallabies, I need to see the same assurance and confidence continue to grow when they play the ABs before I’ll start believing for 2011.
Worlds Biggest said | September 7th 2009 @ 11:25am | Report comment
TK, I agree with your last paragraph. John Smit and Beast are not good scrummagers. Everyone was hailing the beast after he minced Vickery in the first Lions Test. Since then he hasn’t done anything at scrum time. Smit is in the team for Captaincy. As for the Wallabies, I was excited by the performance however not getting carried away, Wallaby supporters can’t afford to do that. If they can bring this effort into Wellington and European tour maybe we can start believing.
Bob McGregor said | September 7th 2009 @ 1:27pm | Report comment
Frank Keefe, whoops Frank O’keeffe; sorry Frank O’Keeffe.
Dead right – how could I get it so wrong even if writing at 3.30am and not long back from 7 weeks in Europe. Perhaps my 8 day tour of Ireland [great country to visit] has me reverting to the O’ prefix subconsciously. Even so quite an oversight as I try to proof read before posting.
Des O’Connor was, of course, a likeable singer on Don Lane TV show for many years while Des Connor [from my playing era in the 1960's] was one of the really great half backs with a strong accurate pass off either foot and one eminently qualified to give advice on the subject. Apologies to all ‘maligned’ by my oversight.