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While there is a week off for the players, there is still plenty of much needed water-cooler rugby discussion to be had.
No need to panic
Yes, Australia got done, well done, but no team in the world would have beaten the All Blacks that night.
They were awesome, and so was the spectacle. But it was only one game.
One more Kurtley Beale penalty a week prior, and the Australian public would have dismissed that result quicker than Joe Hockey throwing out a welfare plea, and turned all attention to the decider.
It’s no longer a decider, but it still deserves attention. Many of the Waratah Wallabies only had three days of celebrating before being summoned into the Bledisloe camp – hardly sufficient time for relaxation and hydration.
After provincial awards nights and time off, the Wallabies will be hungry, sober and well rehearsed. Brisbane will be a close game.
Argentina may have missed their chance
Meanwhile, the other game was red hot. Los Pumas ticked many boxes, displayed a solid set piece and offloaded like it was a backyard game of touch.
Flanker Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe (Toulon) and centre Juan Martin Hernandez (Racing Metro) played out of their skin, while flyhalf Nicolas Sanchez, who did show promise in patches, will be stewing over his three sprayed shots at goal.
The Argies were unlucky not to win, and it’s uphill from here. They don’t have the depth of other nations when injuries hit.
They needed to play Australia, in Salta, in Round 1. But their heart and creative play will still command a crowd.
Bravo Pat McCabe
He deserves to be congratulated from all corners. McCabe will be remembered for his hard and straight running at high speed and his ruthless defence, most notably against the Springboks in the World Cup of 2011.
He should be applauded for not only the strength and determination he showed throughout his career, but also the wise manner in which he ended it. A valiant and praise-worthy effort.
Say what?
Ewen McKenzie really set the tone around injury standards this week. In regards to McCabe’s injury this week Mackenzie responded, “It was fairly innocuous, there’s no risk or anything, the brace is purely precautionary… but it shows on the scan that there might be a recurrence of the same injury.”
Excuse me? A recurrence of the same injury? You mean, the neck he has already broken twice? Yep, no risk there at all, fairly innocuous.
I would hate to be his kid trying to get a sick day off school.
NRC anyone?
The only reason the entire country is not raving about the new NRC is that it’s close to impossible to see any of it. If anyone wants to guarantee 10,000 hits on Youtube, film the four games that aren’t shown on pay-TV on your iPhone.
Seriously, how difficult would it be to televise the other games? The one and only game shown last week showcased Nick Frisby flick-passing a highlight challenge to his injured Reds captains, and Samu Kerevi staking his claim for the biggest thighs in rugby while touching down for two outstanding meat pies.
It would be great to examine how the new rules are going from a wider sample of games. If only we could see them.
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.