The Wallabies, after the early shock of the step up in intensity, matched the French in the first half. The French didn’t get their tails up. This built up pressure which in turn tested the French discipline. They failed the test, conceding four 3rd quarter penalties. The game was then for the Wallabies to lose.
This Wallabies vintage doesn’t stop playing until the siren sounds. Rather than regroup and challenge the Wallabies, Les Bleus began clocking off, physically and mentally. This became apparent when, already 13 points behind, they opted for a penalty goal rather than seek a five pointer. Throughout these first three quarters, the whole Wallabies team tackled impressively.
But tonight was unique. We saw the future. Eddie Jones dreamt of players playing in the positions required by the play in front of them. It was never more than a dream in Eddie’s head. He didn’t have the coaching or man management skills to give the players the self belief to achieve it.
Robbie Deans is different. His players believe in themselves and think nothing of a prop going into to half back or a 13 going to the wing. In one long passage of multi phase play, it was hard to find a player playing in their selected position. It was wonderful to watch and very hard to defend against.
In the space of four weeks, Deans has transformed Australia’s underperforming Super 14 players into outperforming national team players. Every player, with the exception of Smith and Giteau, both of whom have continued their excellent form, have rediscovered their “A” game and armed it with excellent catching and passing skills.
There were several notable performances in an all round strangulation of the French. Nathan Sharp was everywhere. Burgess played like an extra forward. He tackled props “on the boil” and gave quick accurate ball to the backs, while keeping the defence guessing with his own running game.
Adam Ashley Cooper came of age as a fullback tonight. He was 100% secure under the high ball. He kicked well and in the second half began to cut loose with some great runs, the like of which we haven’t seen from him since he began wearing the Wallabies 15 jumper.
Turner, using his speed, continues to grow as a threat to defences. His handling has improved out of sight. He set up the first try tonight.
The only real concern was the below average kicking in general play. Over the past three weeks, Wallabies supporters have been spoilt by the kicking of Giteau and Barnes. Not so this week.
The next game, New Zealand in Auckland, will be another step up in intensity. If this Wallabies team can continue this season’s improvement rate, it could win some silverware in 2009.
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.
In 2007 he was inducted into the Australian Rugby Hall of Fame and in 2013 the IRB Hall of Fame, acknowledging his reputation as one of Australia’s greatest flyhalves.
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