Wallaby fans would be united in collective relief after yesterday’s dour victory over ageing champions South Africa 14 – 9 at Kings Park Durban. Not a game for the ages, however at the risk of sounding like Robbie Deans, progress was made.
Firstly, any victory is progress is it not? South Africa are by no means a pack of chumps thrown together for a run-around.
That was one of the most experienced Springbok teams of all time beaten, on home soil no less. Progress.
Well done to Rocky Elsom who did stand up and was counted for. Not a great game by the skipper, who gave away points and the odd missed tackle, however clearly his best performance of the season. Progress.
Well done to Scott Higgenbotham too. I am a fan of the hard running Queenslander however had my doubts over his ability to play No 8 at Test level.
Not a great game by him but he was reasonable, though he did get schooled a little by Spies in positional play.
I think his best position is 6 where has has more free reign and can choose when to inject himself into a situation. Perhaps bench weapon is his best position for Rugby World Cup 2011.
In saying that I thought Radeke Samo was very solid, appeared to control the ball at the back of scrums and had a good combination with Genia.
Apart from a glaring knock on I thought his work around the park was solid and his odds of being in the 30-man squad short shortened on last night’s performance. Progress.
An absolute highlight for me was one A. Faainga. Please pick this midfield cannon ball for the All Blacks in Brisbane, as he was just so physical in both attack and defence. Precisely what is needed against Nonu and Smith.
Let’s start putting no doubt into their minds that if they want to run at the Wallaby backline that’s fine, but they will be met with force in defence.
Tactically we showed glimpses of progress. It was good to see Australia not continually shove pass after pass to Quade Cooper and expect magic. Although we struggled to get over the gain line, at least we mixed it up a little in our efforts to do so.
Clearly the opportunities were there when we played more directly near the breakdown as opposed to just going wide at all costs. I like the idea of bringing Cooper into the game in second or even third phase when possible.
As Wallaby fans let not kid ourselves either. I don’t think the All Blacks will be soiling themselves over that performance. In fact I think Peter De Villiers did our scrum a massive favour by removing Jannie De Plessis and Bakkies Botha from the field and playing Smit at tight-head.
Smit is a world class hooker, but a club class prop. I think poor South African tactics and play also contributed to the Wallaby win. A luxury that is never afforded to Australian when we play Henry’s All Blacks.
Still we have progressed from Eden Park, have we not?
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