In what is sure to be a fantastic month of viewing in the coming weeks, the first weekend of international rugby has been completed with two vastly different outcomes.
The weekend just past saw the Wallabies take on the Barbarians and the All Blacks take on the USA Eagles, two games used to experiment with the depth of the respective squads.
Wallabies 40 defeated Barbarians 36
Despite the time-zone difference, this was a game that I had to stay up for. Not only was the scent of a Wallabies win wafting in the air, but this was the first chance Michael Cheika had to demonstrate the game plan that he would be bringing to the Wallabies.
Despite the limited time Cheika had spent with the majority of the team, he came into Wallaby camp knowing what had to be done and which players he wanted to test in order to decide upon the best possible 23.
This game did exactly that, in a match that wasn’t won until the final whistle had blown.
Despite a slow start, the scoreboard kept ticking over for both teams with attacking intent shown by both teams as the onus for the night.
Far from a polished performance, the Wallabies will take a lot away from this win, showing that they can in fact hold on to a lead and go through to win matches – a feature they haven’t managed to showcase in recent Tests against South Africa, Argentina and New Zealand.
However, the real question on everyone’s mind is: “Who did enough to cement their position in next week’s team?”
The forwards suffered a massive loss with the injury to Scott Higginbotham after landing awkwardly in a tackle in the 19th minute, but this injury also sparked the emergence of Sean McMahon.
The youngest player in the Wallaby squad, and recent recipient of a host of awards such as Super Rugby Rookie of the Year and NRC Player of the Tournament – McMahon proved he’s a force to be reckoned with in Wallaby colours.
The Barbarians aren’t exactly a Test-quality side, but his performance will likely see his inclusion in the 23 against Wales this coming weekend.
Likewise, Rob Horne proved to his critics why he has been a Wallabies regular this season.
His blistering runs, mixing agile feet with constant bump-offs and fends, Horne played one of the best games of his career. He will surely feature against Wales next week, even if it is off the bench.
Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for Sam Carter, Will Genia, Quade Cooper and Henry Speight. Although the three backs were playing Test rugby for the first time this year – the first time ever for Speight – their performances weren’t strong enough to warrant starting next week against the Welsh.
Genia showed that he is above fellow half Nic White in the pecking order, and should retain the bench spot upon the return of Nick Phipps next week, but the form of Bernard Foley and Adam Ashley-Cooper will be enough to keep Cooper and Speight, respectively, nipping at their heels.
All in all, a gutsy performance by both sides that let Cheika and his fellow selectors know where everyone stood and what needs to be done to compete with and defeat the rest of the tour opposition.
All Blacks 74 defeated USA Eagles 6
One more Test between these two sides and the Eagles are still yet to taste the feeling of scoring a try against rugby’s powerhouse, let alone record a win.
A hugely experimental New Zealand outfit went onto the field clear favourites and showed the 60,000-strong American crowd – and the rest of the world – that even when resting some of their best players, you won’t ever have an easy task against the men in black.
Despite great defence in the opening ten minutes of the encounter, and a willingness to attack the line with great intent, USA couldn’t do enough to cross over for their coveted first five pointer.
As a neutral, but, realistic supporter, I was praying for the Eagles to cross just once to witness the atmosphere that would have erupted at one of the most crowded stadiums I’ve ever seen at a rugby Test. Sadly, this dream was not to be, and New Zealand walked in 12 unanswered tries in this one-sided affair.
USA will take a lot out of this match though. With a lot more realistic opportunity of a win against upcoming opponents Romania, Tonga and Fiji, the Eagles will take confidence into these matches knowing that they showed glimpses of hope against the best in the world.
The All Blacks, however, will have to bounce back into gear to prepare for their hardest match on tour against England. The two sides have already met three times this year, and although England didn’t record a win, they showed that they are a force to be reckoned with and that they are well and truly in the hunt to win the Rugby World Cup next year.
For New Zealand, Aaron Cruden showed why he has occupied the black 10 jersey for so long, and has given coach Steve Hansen headaches in regards to retaining Cruden or bringing Beauden Barrett back into the starting team.
Sonny Bill Williams proved that he still has what it takes to play rugby at Test level and never skipped a beat, albeit against easier opposition than the rest of the tour will encounter. Pat Tuipoluto also put his stamp on the game and will challenge for a bench spot next week after proving to selectors that his Super Rugby form can be replicated at Test level.
Unfortunately, Cory Jane and Nathan Harris came away in the first half with tour-ending injuries. Jane has already established himself as a damaging runner in the All Blacks, but Harris will feel as though his best chance at cementing a berth behind Dane Coles at Rugby World Cup15 will be in jeopardy after playing just five minutes of his first starting Test.
Needless to say, the All Blacks will go into next week full of confidence and ready to make it four from four against the Poms this year.
See you next week in Week 2’s Review, by which time we’ll have a far greater idea of where each team stands and what chance they have coming into the Rugby World Cup.
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.
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