The Wallabies have broken a 101-year hoodoo with a morale-boosting 31-3 victory over the Cardiff Blues in their tour match in the Welsh capital on Tuesday (Wednesday AEDT).
In one of the more bizarre records in sport, the Wallabies had lost all six previous encounters with Cardiff, dating back to their first meeting in 1908.
But the Wallabies ended the century-long drought, with a spirited victory in the non-capped match, with the win restoring some credibility to the gold jumper following Saturday’s disastrous 9-8 loss to Scotland.
Fullback James O’Connor, dual try-scorer Kurtley Beale, who was playing out of position on the left wing, flanker Matt Hodgson and crash-tackling hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau were the standouts for the tourists.
It was a particularly memorable night for teenage sevens star Luke Morahan, who celebrated his Wallabies debut off the bench with a late 25-metre try.
Morahan was only drafted into the squad last week after a series of backline injuries hit the tourists.
The Wallabies played half of the second stanza with only 14 men after Hodgson and fellow front-rower Richard Brown each spent 10 minutes in the sin-bin.
The tourists suffered an early setback, losing teenage five-eighth Matt Toomua in just the third minute with what was later diagnosed as a broken jaw.
It was a tragic way for the 19-year-old’s night to end in what was his starting debut for the Wallabies.
Toomua’s departure prompted Robbie Deans to thrust Quade Cooper into the match and his midfield presence certainly added some defensive steel to the Australian backline.
A fifth-minute penalty goal to fullback Ben Blair gave Cardiff a 3-0 lead but the Wallabies struck back in style with a try to Ryan Cross two minutes later.
Beale made a half break and offloaded to fullback James O’Connor, who beat a couple of defenders in a 35-metre angled run before unselfishly putting Cross over in the corner.
O’Connor slotted the sideline conversion and then added a penalty in the 24th minute to give Australia a 10-3 lead.
Deans lost patience with Pek Cowan – another Wallabies first-time starter – in the 33rd minute, pulling the loosehead after he was penalised for a second time for collapsing the scrum.
With Cowan serving as the reserve hooker, Deans’s decision looked a radical one a few minutes later when Polota-Nau required medical treatment for a shoulder problem.
Fortunately, he was able to play on, but flanker Mitchell Chapman wasn’t after rolling his ankle shortly after.
Beale extended Australia’s advantage after the halftime siren had sounded when he showed fine finishing skills after Cross seized on a dropped ball from Cardiff to put the Wallabies on the attack.
Cross’s centre partner Tyrone Smith eventually fired the final pass to Beale, who completed the 40-metre effort and O’Connor again converted to give the Wallabies a 17-3 lead at the break.
Cardiff kept the Wallabies at bay until Morahan capitalised on a nice pass from debutant halfback Richard Kingi in the 77th minute and Beale struck in the dying stages.
O’Connor converted both tries for an 11-point haul from a flawless night with the boot.
Parisien
Guest
I fully agree James but did notice you wisely omitted mentioning the second row and lineouts.
Jameswm
Guest
AAC to 13 and Beale to 15. I'd back that. Swap Gits and Cooper around. TPN must start. And I don't go for this hyperbole about "shocking tour" and "worst performance for 30 years". A narrow loss to a decent Scotland team at Murrayfield can't be as bad as 50 and 60 point drubbings by SA in SA. There's been one bad test this NH tour, where the Aussies couldn't finish things off. They beat England - not by a lot but being clearly the better team - and suffered a heartbreaking draw to Ireland, which is better than we've managed the last couple of times we've been there. The Irish are good and were at home. I don't think things are as dire as everyone else, but I do think a few changes need to be made. Most of the right players are there - Robinson, TPN, Alexander, Elsom, Palu, Pocock, Genia, Giteau, Barnes, Cooper, Ioane, AAC etc. The scrum is good, the forwards are tough, and the backs have the ingredients. They just need some smarts, composure and confidence. I'm hoping that will come.
Parisien
Guest
Now that that they lost to Scotland, I agree, give some of the younger players a run and see how they go. The match will be probably lost in either case, but at least this way the new talent gets an international blooding against top opposition in a great venue before a big vocal crowd. Bring on Kepu, TPN, Mumm, Cooper at 10, O'Connor at 12 with Gits on the bench, Beale on a wing or at fullback if AAC goes to 13 to replace Digby. No point waiting for next June. Moving Cooper to 10, and giving TPN and Mumm would be my priorities. Not to mention getting the collective play and strategies right (preparation, support, coaching).
PB
Guest
what was interesting to see in this match (admitedly against 2nd class opposition) was how good beale, o'connor and cooper looked in the backs. I am not the biggest fan of Quade Coopers, but he seemed to show an incredible amount of maturity in this outing - he controlled the game perfectly and his kicking was pinpoint accurate. He also mixed up his options superbly. Beale looked a class above Turner on the other wing - every time he got the ball Beale looked threatening and exciting, and o'connors place kicking, along with his general gamesmanship, was spot on. Its easy to forget these are guys are kids - but certainly a nice bit of respite and some cause for optimism in a troubling year
King of the Gorganites
Guest
i never thought i would say this but i think it is time for kurtley beale to be given a wallabies jersey. really what have we got to lose? we are already at rock bottom. give him a run. if he doesnt perform then he is just like the rest of his team mates- pretenderd. give the kid from druitt a run i say. i want to see his natural game though. a win against the welsh is a must. wales are a top side, and to beat them at a packed millenium stadium would build great momentum. however, as a long time wallaby supporter i know not to get my hopes up.
Josh Dutton
Roar Rookie
Hmmm... This is a morale-boosting win, but I believe this is a match they couldn't afford to lose. It would've created similar or more humiliation than the Australia A loss to the Ospreys in 2006 (24-16 at Liberty Stadium). The Blues outfit had a pretty decent line-up though facing the likes of Toomua, Chapman, Mumm and co. The win most certainly should bring in more players to the International fore, hopefullly we can see more of Dean Mumm, Luke Morahan and James O'Connor. It's time to freshen the Wallabies up!
Justin
Guest
10 I think as Tyrone Smith was playing 12?
Rockin Rod
Guest
So did Cooper come on at 12 or 10?? Gee i hope he plays 10 against Wales and Gits 12
fox
Guest
Toomua's broken jaw: ouch. poor guy. Been there done that, lost 17kgs. He can't afford to lose that much entering next year's super rugby! Really happy that Beale's been getting some time in the jersey. He's earned it - this sort of experience will be invaluable to him (and the Tahs) next year. Harry - I just saw a pig fly past my window too.
Justin
Guest
His defence against Scotland was top draw too, I think the extra responsibility has made him stand up and he is using his shoulders in conjunction with his arms, hitting low and hard. I hope he can keep it up...
Harry
Guest
Sentences I thought I'd never see ..." thrust Quade Cooper into the match and his midfield presence certainly added some defensive steel ..."