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.
Justin
Guest
Good win. We need a lock badly but we have a number injured so lets see after S14. Other than that I think the pack is pretty solid and unless there is a bolter most will be in the RWC team. Besides Genia I think every position in the backline is up for grabs. Next year I would guess that Gits, Digby, Ashley and maybe Barnes are the only certs, but in what positions? Deans needs to get this sorted by the end of next year (preferably much sooner). Cant wait for S14 to kick in to get a good look at players in the rightful (?) positions...
Justin
Guest
Ever heard that he plays 12 in the S14? Thats his spot.
Parisien
Guest
OJ, I think that's a good and fair summary.
Cattledog
Roar Guru
You just have to look at his demeanour on the field, talk about a grumpy teenager. The only smile I've seen is when he's given MotM award. He needs to stop berating players if they make an error. He makes enough himself. Whilst I recognise his talent, he's NOT captain material or VC for that matter, IMO as he hasn't shown enough leadership for my mind. Deans it seemed had also noticed this!!
AndyS
Guest
Well, for the sake of accuracy, he said specifically: "I suppose you could say we escaped...Australia played a good game. They put us under a lot of pressure. We were never on the front foot." (http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-sport/ireland-snatch-late-draw-with-wallabies-20091116-igm7.html) and "If you had given it [the draw] to me two minutes before the end of the game, I'd've taken it" (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/8361567.stm)
Ora
Guest
And can you explain South Africas capitulation come end of year tour?
Shahsan
Guest
ohtani's jacket
Guest
They're not. They're there or thereabouts. They accomplished what they set out to do and managed to salvage their season and restore their credibility. The Wallabies made a hash of a winnable Grand Slam tour and the Boks thought they'd done enough this year, so naturally the All Blacks' tour was better, but it has no real bearing on how the Tri-Nations will go next year and it's not like we achieved all of our aims. We still have no back-up for Carter or McCaw.
Jameswm
Guest
If NZ are a class ahead and the rest are playing catch-up, can someone explain to me how they couldn't beat SA this year, even at home?
Terry Kidd
Guest
“Matt Giteau is NOT a 10.” Well in light of the Wallabies display against Wales and his man of the match performance I look forward to seeing a player for the Wallabies who is a number 10 Thats right Pete, and I agree with RK also, Giteau is not a 10. The difference in this game was that he played deeper and wider, allowing Cooper to stand the 10 position .... and Genia was able to hit either reliably with good passes .... proof is the lead up to TPN's try .... Giteau was very deep and ran wide on the loop, he came almost from the fullback position, Genia hit him with a great pass behind the decoys, and Giteau runs into a hole outside a prop, TPN (who was one of the decoys) backs up on the inside. Giteau was deeper and wider playing at 12, the second receiver, thats where the improvement came, he was executing, not calling. I also thought that Cooper played quite well and his defence was good. The battle of the inside backs in the Oz S14 franchises next year will be very interesting. I hope that Link allows Cooper to run the Reds games with what he sees, rather than make him play 10 man rugby. Cheers,
ThelmaWrites
Guest
Strange, no one has said anything about Wayne Barnes in this thread. There was a bit in the Live Blog thread. Hmmm.
jus de couchon
Guest
Good to see all the good rugby. Its been a bit dire up until saturdays beauties. Should shut the critics up for a bit.
Sportym
Guest
Here we go again, one good win and suddenly we are looking good, Not buying into it, I watched last weeks game and if anything wales made us look good out there. I am getting tired of all the bagging that Gits is getting, while at the same time all the praise that O'connor is getting, well O'connor has cost us more games then Gits this year, how the hell he was a starting 15 is beyond me. And the amount of money we are throwing at this 19 year old, he will be a much worse then gits when it comes to being selfish/ego. We are in the same situation with Gits as we are with Deans, you cannot get rid of the cause there is noone better. Cooper is way too inconsistent and barnes way too injury prone.
ThelmaWrites
Guest
Dear Editors Why are my comments awaiting moderation again? How have I transgressed? :-(
ThelmaWrites
Guest
Brett Remember: "So Robbie when can we see some silverware?"! Two I think: the Cook Cup for the Australia v England, and that one for the Welsh match. What's it called, the second one? Cheers.
Davey
Guest
Pete Watch the game again and come back and tell us what position Giteau was standing at for his 3 try assits.
ohtani's jacket
Guest
Yeah, as someone who correctly predicted how bad the Wallabies were from their opening match, I think you deserve a ton of credit Leftie.
Chris
Guest
Even when Giteau plays BRILLIANTLY you can't bear to compliment him!
Cattledog
Guest
Thanks OME...but I thought you were going to make two comments BEFORE your rest? Have you fallen asleep again? LOL
Knives Out
Guest
What did Declan Kidney say specifically?