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It’s taken ten years but the wait is now over. Australia has clinched the rugby Tri Nations with a thrilling 25-20 win over the World Cup favourites, New Zealand.
Newly promoted skipper James Horwill, in his first Test as Wallabies captain, joined his long-time idol in holding the trophy above his head.
The win has thrown next month’s Rugby World Cup wide open.
The match looked over in the first half after the Australian set up a 20-3 lead. However, the All Blacks fought back to level the scores 20 minutes from full time.
Beale got over the line to give the Wallabies a five-point lead but the Cooper conversion went astray.
The aggression and hunger was shown early by the Australians with sacked captain Rocky Elsom leading from the front. Robbie Deans was very pleased with how his former skipper competed and was confident that the big man wouldn’t drop his head.
The match was completely different to that played in New Zealand between the two giants of the world of rugby.
With the Australian win, there are now even more questions with the lead-up to next month when 20 sides go head to head with the aim to hold ‘Bill’ aloft.
New Zealand, going into tonight’s game, was extremely short favourites with bookmakers, but can they let go of the chokers’ tag?
Are the Wallabies now the side to beat in the Rugby World Cup? They have been improving game by game and slowly working their way into form needed to win the World Cup.
Then there is South Africa. Has time caught up with the Springboks and are they too old to win back to back?
At 15-1, England, the 2011 Six Nations champions, look to have the easiest draw out of the favoured countries with Argentina and Scotland their toughest opponents, Georgia, and Romania.
England at present, look more like they will need a further twelve months to be a Cup-winning team, but in saying that, they are proven performers, who will put up a good showing.
France and Ireland round off the others that could cause an upset, at 34-1 and 126-1 prior to the Wallabies win.
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.