- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
The Wallabies defeated the Welsh with an all round, high level performance. This win showed, as did the defeat of the Springboks in Brisbane, that this is a potent squad when they get their act together.
As in the game against the Scots, the Wallabies dominated all aspects of the game and the underlying statistics. However, this time, they took their chances. This time, the more highly rated opposition didn’t play well. Unlike in the Ireland land, the Wallabies sustained their performance. They didn’t lose concentration and go to sleep in either the middle of the game or in the final 10 minutes.
Aside from the desperate need for a win to avoid further psychological damage, this Wallabies team came to Cardiff as a team on the cusp. It was either the cusp of an abyss or the cusp of turning around their very poor 2009 season. Put simply, it was backs to the wall. Enough is enough. It was time for a stand, time for this team of youngsters to play the rugby they are capable of. It was time to replace the hyperbole with a real performance.
Turning to the tour overall, we have learnt that this team can match it with the other nations. Several young players have come of age, including Will Genia, Digby Ioane, Quade Cooper, Ben Alexander and David Pocock. Dean stood up as captain of the undefeated Dirt trackers and deserves more game time with the Wallabies.
Cliff Palu, Stephen Moore, James Horwill (belatedly) and George Smith have rediscovered their previous best form.
Benn Robinson, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Peter Hynes, Rocky Elsom have maintained and enhanced their reputations at the highest level. Elsom has developed as a leader by having to sup the bitter sweet experience of life as a captain.
Drew Mitchell and Mark Chisholm will never wear a Wallabies jersey again, unless injuries significantly thin the ranks of back threes and locks.
Matt Giteau is NOT a 10. As the official Man of the Match against Wales, he showed us that he had been far from his mercurial best for most of season 2009 and in particular in the previous five games. It is clear that he is an unhappy chappie who is brings off field matters onto the field.
James O’Connor, at just 19 years old, is on the verge of greatness. Kurtley Beale has deservedly won his first Wallabies cap.
Finally, to Robbie Deans, his co coaches and selectors, I offer my sincere thanks for making the tough decisions that were needed to take back control of the Wallabies from the players.
We may look back on this tour as the turning point in the Wallabies renewal and the commencement of another golden era for the Wallabies.
As always, the most important game is the next one.
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.