If the Wallabies had lost, and it was a close-run thing, Robbie Deans would have been obliged to make some massive changes to his squad.There would have been calls, too, for his head even though this type of execution was never on the cards.
Given the lack of talent below the top fifteen, especially with seven potential starting Wallabies out injured or unavailable, Deans would have been forced to virtually start from scratch to make these changes. This would have meant nearly three seasons of team-building would have been lost.
I would equate the victory at Blonfontein to the win the 1990 Wallabies achieved against the All Blacks in the third Test of the series, after losing the first two Tests and earning the description of the ‘woeful Wallabies’ for their troubles.
Bob Dwyer’s hold on the Wallabies coaching job was under threat from a Queenland push for John Connolly. Dwyer also threatened to drop a number of the stalwarts who starred in the RWC 1991 triumph – Nick Farr Jones was one – if the All Blacks got up again.
Deans’ Wallabies have now won two of the three Australian victories in South Africa in the Tri Nations era. At Pretoria the Wallabies recorded their first victory at altitude for 47 years.
The last time the Wallabies won at Blomfontein was in 1933. History has been made and the Wallabies should be congratulated for succeeding when other great sides have failed.
The importance of the victory, therefore, cannot be over-emphasised.
The Springboks fielded eleven players from their RWC 2007 triumph. This was no make-shift team or a rotational team. They were trying to prevent five losses in a Tri Nations season for the first time. And they had a goal-kicker, Morne Steyne, who kicked every goal, one of them from half-way.
The play of the Wallabies in the first 30 minutes was about as perfect as an Australian side will ever play. Everything was done at pace. The ball was passed in front of runners. The backs made skilful choices with their kicking game. Deans’ philosophy of ‘playing what is in front of you’ was expressed to perfection.
I thought at the time, though, that when the Wallabies were leading 31 – 6 with minutes to go before half-time they made a mistake in twice rejecting kicks at goal. The option of a 5m scrum turned sour when they were penalised for going early into a scrum. Not long after this, following a tremendous run and chip from Victor Matfield, Jacque Fourie powered across for a try.
What should have been a 34 – 6 scoreline became 31 – 13, with the Springboks 18 points behind but with some momentum going into the second half.
They were relentless in reducing this Wallaby lead to an unlikely Springboks lead. When Steyn banged over a penalty to make the score Springboks 36 – Wallabies 31, South Africa had scored an astonishing 25 points to nil.
Saia Faingnaa then had his brain storm, lifted a Springboks runner and smashed him to the ground to be given (correctly) a yellow card. Despite this, the Wallabies with fresh legs from Luke Burgess and Berrick Barnes stormed back for a stunning try to Drew Mitchell off a skilful in-pass from Barnes.
The Wallabies were now in front. But could they hold on? You had the feeling that if this game got away from them they would be scarred for years.
Then came some Keystone Cops play from Kurtley Beale.
He had dropped a bomb from Francois Hougaard a little earlier. Then he passed a ball from a turnover won by David Pocock (one of six) over the dead-ball line. Now he slipped into a pass and head-butted the ball to Adam Ashley-Cooper who was ruled off side.
Steyn banged over the penalty. The Springboks now led 39 – 38. Surely a Test that was as exciting as any ever played could not take another turn?
We turn now to the referee Wayne Barnes. The 34 year-old English lawyer had a superb game. His rapport with the players was excellent as he spelled out from time to time exactly why he made the decision he did.
With seconds remaining, the Springboks went into a flop/sealing off regime which was made even more frustrating by the way the ball was held in the back of the ruck for many seconds at a time. I hate this form of time-wasting because it violates two fundamental principles of rugby: first, the use-it or lose-it rule; and second, the rule that the continuous contest for possession is fundamental to the rugby game.
As the Springboks started their flip/seal tactics I heard Barnes warn them about sealing off the ball. The warning was disregarded and Barnes ruled, correctly, that an offence had occurred.
The rest is history.
Beale banged over a huge goal. The whistle went. The Wallabies had won a famous victory, and a victory the Wallabies had to have.
Admittedly, as posters have pointed out already on The Roar, the Springboks were playing their third successive Test. They had started off flat, as they did also at Pretoria.
Some of the Springbok stars of RWC 2007 seem to be finished.
Bryan Habana was booed by the home crowd before being hooked in the second half. John Smit was a passenger for the first half, although he lifted in parts of the second half. He is so vital to the Springboks for his captaincy it would not surprise me if he played next year as a prop, once more.
It seems unlikely that the Springboks can afford to play with their three huge backrowers, none of whom are fetchers or diggers. Pocock had a field day. Probably Spies is the one who will go when Brussow comes back.
There are problems for the Springboks at fullback, on the wings and in the defence of the centres. The team of RWC 2007 is now looking an unlikely RWC 2011 winning side. You would think that changes in the forward, backs and the coaching staff have to be made.
The Wallabies are in the position of having a number of experienced forwards coming back for consideration for the next Test. The youngish backline has proved itself in the toughest rugby environment possible.
For the Wallabies, therefore, it is onwards and upwards. They have broken an altitude/attitude hoodoo. Their world ranking is number 2, displacing the Springboks from this position by their win.
Now they get a chance to improve their recent record against the All Blacks at Sydney on Saturday night. What a Test to look forward to.
Wal The Hooker
Guest
Bloody awesome game! Congrats to the Wallas but more so what a game of Rugby!
Ben S
Roar Guru
Whilst we're on the subject (and I'm sure nobody is interested), but the England side is a rather youthful project, interspersed with older heads. From the side/s that played Australia: 1. Payne (31)/ Sheridan (30) [It's probably that Sheridan will usurp Payne now he has regained fitness] 2. Thompson (32)/ Hartley (24) [Hartley started all six 6N games, but was injured for the SH tour] 3. Cole (23)/ Wilson (25) 4. Lawes (21)/ Shaw (37) 5. Palmer (31) 6. Croft (24)/ Haskell (25) 7. Moody (32) 8. Easter (32) 9. Youngs (21)/ Care (23) 10. Flood (25)/ Wilkinson (31) 11. Ashton (23) 12. Hape (29) 13. Tindall (31) 14. Cueto (30) 15. Foden (25)/ Armitage (26)
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
I can do that!!! (smiley thing)
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
Oops - should read: * 7 are under 24 – who Bennalong says plus Ranger (4 Springboks, 12 Wallabies)
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
Look it up Moaman - "I think" then becomes "I know". They’ve got this dot com thingy happening which makes it easy – even the Tri-Nations rugby unions have one. Bennalong's son has done his research and is near right: * 33 All Blacks - this season, now, today (30 Springboks, 29 Wallabies) * 21 are 26 and older (20 Springboks, 14 Wallabies) * 7 are under 24 – who Bennalong says plus Ranger (7 Springboks, 12 Wallabies) * ABs average and mean age is 26.8 and 27 (Springboks 27.4 & 27.2, Wallabies 25 & 25.2) * AB and Springbok forwards and backs average and mean age is 27; Wallabies is forwards 26, backs 24 (dates of birth). For "ohtani's jacket" below, exact average age is 26.8. In summary the Wallabies are about 1 year mean age younger in the forwards than the others, and 3 in the backs. Who cares? The son, and good on him.
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
That's a fair cop, Frank, well reasoned. I recall a mate dragging me down to Manuka Oval, whilst visiting Canberra, to watch a young and exciting Campese. You are right, he didn't tackle much, but he was nonetheless capable of the classic diving round-the-thighs and slide down technique. Like Latham*, he was also capable of herding the attacker in 'til the Poedevin/Wilson/Mighty Woods Bird Tuynman cavalry arrived. They both had beautiful positioning instinct in attack and defence. Inside him were Slack, Herbert times 2, and Horan. At the back were Gould and Martin, Mighty Woods players Roebuck and Burke - all of whom could tackle. Ella was a bit lazy on it and his kicking game was as you say - but he had solid halves inside him and those other blokes outside. Even Lynagh took time to develop his defence and in the second half of his career he was Mr Reliable in that, on top of such dependable pass/kick/run abilities. And unflappable temperament - I don't recall any team inclusive decision making committee meetings in those times. I get edgy when I see Juan Smith run through an open centre field paddock to score under the posts. I say we are vulnerable taking the field when 10, 12, 13 and 15 cannot or will not tackle, and do not know how to herd the attacking line in. The difference is in development - I watched Marty Roebuck and Scott Johnson work with Matt Burke for several seasons in Club (Mighty Woods) before Burke was properly prepared to become as good as he was. * Latham - I liked him too, Howie. He had a brilliance in him plus strength and confidence (and the goods) to back himself.
Blinky Bill of Bellingen
Guest
Benny - Trust you. Look what they mean by 'probe' is that they are going to carry out a thorough examination until they get to the bottom of things ;)
Bruce Rankin
Guest
Spiro - your article pretty much spot on methinks......... The Wallabies finally closed out a behind situation in the last 15 minutes. To paraphrase Winston Churchill after the victory at Alamein.... “it’s not the beginning of the end ....but it is the end of the beginning” - especially in terms of the momentum it creates towards the RWC. Yet it was the type of victory they could well have avoided had captain Elsom not failed in a critical leadership /captaincy role in the last 5 minutes of the 2nd half. As Spiro points out he did not take either of 2 the penalty kick opportunities presented to him. First he violated the basic rule of “you always take your points” that would have given them a 34-6 lead at half time. Second, given how the Boks came back after being down the previous week, the lesson was ignored.... you don’t give a side like the Boks a single break... you keep the foot on their throat the whole time. Lastly he failed in knowing when to “consolidate the position” (versus keeping the game open) 5 minutes before half time. Unfortunately Elsom doesn’t appear to have THE key leadership/captaincy skill of changing the tactics as needed during the game. Nonetheless, if the Wallabies win this Saturday’s Bledisloe Cup test in Sydney, it will give them the psychological momentum to continue thru to a RWC final next year – especially with 7-8 of their top players back from injury. Very like 1990-91 as Spiro points out. And also 1999 when the Wallabies won the Sydney test 28-7 or thereabouts. The writing was on the wall for the All Blacks on both occasions prior to the 1991 and 1999 RWCs. Both the Boks and Wallabies have had a tough Tri-nations draw where they’ve each had to play 3 tests in a row – twice – a tough ask. Whereas the All Blacks have had a dream draw in comparison with no more than 2 tests in a row and a gap of 2 or 3 weeks between tests over the 9 weeks from 10 July to 11 Sept. Very hard for the Wallabies to come back from South Africa for the 3rd test in a row plus the added factor of jetlag to cope with. However the momentum of Saturday’s win and a home game at ANZ Stadium may be enough to balance that out.
bennalong
Guest
I note coach PDV is awaiting a probe. Those Saffies! His team lost but the probe is just too severe a punishment
Ben S
Roar Guru
'they can’t do the things four top playmakers can, which totally transform the possibilities.' But only last week you were going to great lengths to lambast the 'four playmaker' selection, and yet now it's stuff of the gods?
Derm
Roar Guru
And Barnes was staring right at him as he did it. He didn't hit his face, just his chest area which Is why he let it go, I suppose.
niwdEyaJ
Guest
talk about almost snatching defeat from the jaws of vicotry! great to come away with a win, but a win by only 2 points after being ahead 31-6 just before half-time shows there is still a long way to go in terms of this side maturing... having said that, by this time next year the team will have an additional 150+ caps across the team (or more assuming the current injury list return) so hopefully the maturity and good times are just around the corner... to be fair to the wallabies' performance on saturday, there were TWO tries form SA that were spurious. Matfield was clearly offside in his 1st half effort (brilliant as it was) and I think you'll find De Villiers ran right behind Shalk Burger preventing Pocock from getting a hand on him.... clearly an obstruction! but all seems to be forgiven as we won anyways..
katzilla
Roar Guru
I dont think you can call a team that stretches over many generations 'Chokers' because that would be doing a diservice to the men who wore the Jersey for the 90 odd years before the World Cup came into existence and indeed to the men that won it in 87. At various times the label may have been apt for a generation of ABs, but not the All Blacks themselves. Every country has their chokes, NZ has some doozies no doubt. And the Loss to France in 2007 (even though they were beaten by a better team on the night) probably goes down as the biggest.
George Smith is a legend
Guest
RR it is George Smith and an insult to compare peacock to him or McCaw. I can appreciate good play, especially Pocok through this series, but to try and compare him to others is rediculous. When SA wanted to they closed Pocock out. Pocock made some basic mistakes to let a try in. McCaw has shown that you don't have to win every breakdown to be a champion as the team victory is greater that individual stats. Smith was always in the thick of things, hard play, and pocock is seen over the top of a lot of breakdowns, seagulling as one person has put, and not elsewhere at times. By all means praise should be given as deserved but do not compare to real lengends.
jiggles
Guest
I was there that day in Wales and gee it was fantastic! one of my favourite wallabies I Think. Favourite Chris Latham moment is for the reds at Ballymore versus the Blues (I think? can some one confirm) when he had about 4 guys jump on to him about 7 out and 1m in from the side line and pure leg drive got him over for a try! Classtic
Howi
Roar Rookie
Thanks for the memories.
MattyP
Guest
Spot Blinky. Given all that's happened, it would be nice to see the Wallabies consolidate with a workman-like performance, where they cut out the errors, and Dingo continues to use the bench. A win in the third test in a row, against the clear no.1 team in the world, after two in the high veld would just be the cherry on the icing - but we I think we need more cake right now, less worried about the icing, we know that's in the cupboard when required. After all we've suffered for a couple of years in focussing on 2011 as the whole shooting match, we may as well stick to that strategy now. So I want be too concerned if we lose in Sydney if we are still progressing and consolidating. It's not where you're at, it's where you're going...
Ray F
Guest
Can someone tell Rocky when points are available - take them. How many times has Australia opted for a scrum after receiving a penalty only to have one awarded against them - resulting in a try against play and a 10 point turn around. One too many times.
jameswm
Guest
Yeah, but you still need a bit more size.
Frank O'Keeffe
Guest
Chris Latham http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mP6KCsXTWTw In hindsight he only beat three players... but still awesome!