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There were two memorable moments in the match for me. The first was when the game was finished.
Kevin Mealamu went over to Nathan Charles, offered him his hand and helped him to his feet. I’d be willing to bet he didn’t say anything as effusive as, “You played a great game mate,” probably more like “Not bad for your first game against us son”.
It was only a little thing, but it was still a beacon of sportsmanship in an otherwise dull, kiwi landscape.
The second was the look of utter incredulity on Ritchie’s face as the camera zoomed in on him, lying on his back on the wrong side of the ruck (as per usual) after Peyper had penalised them.
It reminded me of the look my young children used to have when I would distract them at the dinner table and take their plate of food away and hide it under the table. Something that had belonged exclusively to him had just been taken away from under his very nose, and he couldn’t work out how.
Test match rugby is nothing like Super Rugby, especially in those conditions. Margins get squeezed a lot harder. It’s harder to win and easier to lose.
Folau’s long term position is in the centres. He got found out at fullback, and although that was a good place to start him and let him learn the game, we need him in closer now.
He likes to get his hands on the ball, and despite the number of tries he has scored himself, he is also good at drawing defenders and offloading and setting others up.
I’d have him at inside centre with a big strike weapon like Kuridrani outside him and Adam Ashley-Cooper back to the wing. Folau comes from league, remember. He has all the ball skills. Where does Sonny Bill Williams play? And where is Burgess going to be played?
Let’s face it: we’ve got nothing to lose.
Eden Park will be a lot tougher than Sydney, so we may as well go for broke. With Nonu out, two big centres like that would give the kiwis some sleepless nights and on the upside, Hansen’s comments would be just priceless.
So, who then to put at fullback? My theory is fullback is thought of like the spare tyre in the boot.
Not much real thought is given to it until you get a flat. Someone just solid and safe and fearless who you can rely on, like McCabe perhaps.
The Beale experiment failed, at least in the wet. Hindsight would have hooked him at half time or maybe not even started him at all given the conditions.
He’s brilliant in broken play, but Kurtley my boy, it’s back to the bench for you.
I’m a big fan of yours, but go to league if you like. Realistically what chance do you have of even making the pine for the Kangaroos?
Foley is our long-term flyhalf even over Cooper when he comes back.
Cool heads win Test matches and that’s what we needed on Saturday night. I don’t think I’ve ever heard Dan Carter described as an x-factor player – he simply tackles hard and brilliantly orchestrates the back line attack, and does everything else calmly and smoothly like he has all the time in the world.
Phipps is a better option than White. He gets to the rucks quicker and had the better pass and had no kicks charged down.
Like Foley, he puts the defence in two minds. If White was a team player, and knowing he had a more than able backup, he would have taken himself off instead of hobbling around after he got that knock against Folau. And Phipps brings to the table an invaluable combination with Foley.
It’s hard to turn a game around in ten minutes. Our bench has to be given more time for it to have an impact, at least fifteen or twenty minutes, otherwise why bother? – and if someone is having a blinder, leave them on.
Our pack did an outstanding job especially when compared to some past dismal efforts. Charles may just have cemented that spot. But as someone else observed, more touch footy for the Wallabies to teach them how to draw, pass and step, and maybe even dummy and go yourself.
The good thing is the match showed the darkness are indeed beatable, especially if you get in their faces early and show you’re up for it.
We have the muscle and the skill. It’s the attitude that has been missing lately.
Under Link, it’s coming back.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.