The victory against Wales, which gives them the third place medal, is their first in 14 successive Tests in Auckland. So it is bronze for the Wallabies at RWC 2011.
Even more important than breaking the hoodoo is the fact that the Wallabies avoid the New Zealand or French half of the draw (depending on the outcome of Sunday night’s final) at the 2015 tournament in England.
The Wallabies showed that their defensive effort against the Springboks particularly (and the All Blacks) was not a fluke. Time after time a swarming defensive line forced the Welsh runners further and further back until the ball was kicked away in frustration. On one memorable occasion the Wallabies knocked back 15 Welsh phases of attack.
Totally frustrated by Australia’s accurate and intense defence and his side’s inability to make any dents into it, the gifted broken field runner Shane Williams took the hail-ary option and skewed off a misdirected attempted field goal.
Towards the end of the match, Berrick Barnes, with the Wallabies leading by 5 points showed how it was done by kicking over a neatly-taken field goal. The goal turned out to be the difference in the match when Wales scored on time.
Barnes started the third place play-off by kicking away the ball the first two times he handled it. Oh no, I thought, not the Waratahs kicking game being transferred to the Wallabies. But, fortunately, Barnes started to play like a Wallaby rather than a latter-day Waratahs playmaker. But when he took over as number 10 after Quade Cooper had to go off with a damaged knee, he started to run the ball with some effect with the Wallaby backs making some incisive attacks.
The Wallabies were hampered in their attacking play with the loss of Kurtley Beale with a re-occurrence of his torn hamstring, and with Cooper going off injured not much later.
To win without these two X-factor players is a significant outcome for the Wallabies. And it opened up the possibilities of a re-shaped backline for the Tests in November at Cardiff, and into the next season. I would like to see Barnes and James O’Connor as the number 10 and inside centre, and Cooper playing the Shane Williams role as a running, stepping winger.
A change like this would unleash Cooper’s sensational broken field running. His passing ability which is often quite uncanny would be useful, like the great David Campese, in creating opportunities for the other runners in the Wallaby backline.
The other pleasing aspect of the match is that the Wallaby scrum, finally, stood up and gave the Welsh pack a drubbing when referee Wayne Barnes allowed them to scrum.
Talking about Barnes, I thought he was tough on the Wallabies at ruck and maul time. He often seemed to allow Wales the chance to lie across the ball and go off their feet while being, correctly, tough on the Wallabies when they did the same thing.
But he did allow the most blatant forward pass from Wales that created their first try. The pass was so far forward, Shane Williams, the catcher, had to stick out his foot to get any contact on it. Amazingly, Barnes and the touch judge, Frenchman Raymond Poite, let the pass go.
New Zealanders with any sort of memory must have thought back to another missed forward pass by Barnes and his assistant referee Jonathan Kaplan at the quarter-final in RWC 2007 that allowed France to score a controversial try that won the match for them.
Some of the pundits have complained that the third place medal match has no place in a RWC tournament. On the evidence of this match, the pundits should admit they are wrong. This was a terrific Test match. Both teams played their hearts out. And there have been lessons learned about World Cup play, especially for the Wallabies.
After the loss to the All Blacks, John O’Neill marked the Wallabies at RWC 2011 as a pass mark. After their strong win against a Wales side that was rated the success of the tournament, I would give his pass mark a plus +.
The Wallabies are a young side with 10 players around 23 or under. They have four years to develop a front five that can hold its own against scrumming and driving sides. If this can be achieved, then RWC 2015 is looking good for the Wallabies.
Krasnoff of Noosa
Guest
The hoodoo will only be broken when the Wallabies beat the All Blacks at Eden Park. But more importantly Deans must go. Australia’s involvement in this RWC has been a litany of excuses and promises which could not be fulfilled because of poor selection, poor bench policy, inept coaching and a lack of structured play relying on the whim of whiz kids who are still wet behind the ears. The ARU are a bunch of apologists who are dragging down exemplary Wallaby potential into mediocrity with their excuses. And while we’re on that, O’Neill has shown a lack of wisdom by prematurely re-signing Deans before the results of the World Cup. Drastic and urgent action is needed.
AndyS
Guest
If they follow the same formula as this one, pools are assigned randomly and the placings at this tournament mean nothing after pre-qualification.
Justin
Guest
Barnes will be the 10 while Cooper is out but he is a very limited player who does nothing particularly well.
johnny-boy
Guest
True Thelma but Ella is probably a better judge than I as to whether a team is playing to it's potential.
ohtani's jacket
Guest
lol, splendid.
ThelmaWrites
Guest
He can't coach.
Brick Lane
Guest
@Louis Well said. Very well said.
johnny-boy
Guest
Mark Ella was also one of our finest and smartest players. He's always been very cautious in his comments but like many others, he's obviously had a gutful of the dross. The players are busting their guts on the field but some Australians reckon it's all their fault and not an obviously flawed kiwi coach. WT .... The Wallabies very rarely play at more than 50% of their ability under Deans.
johnny-boy
Guest
How on earth does Mooney coaching the Reds to the bottom of table constitute excellent work ????????? Is failure the new black in Australian rugby ?
ThelmaWrites
Guest
The Ellas coach Randwick, but Randwick has won the Shute Shield only once in the past decade. Easier said than done.
IronAwe
Guest
Yeah it's true, AND he scored the winning try.
Bob McGregor
Guest
Can't they get some-one other than ex Randwick players to spruik for a change to the National Coaching position? Why is it Randwick are the answer?
BennO
Guest
This is the second Sydney club rugby based comment I've read here in the past two days. The other was something about Uni players being the saviours of the wallabie. As though Barnes' time at uni had anything to do with his development. I think I'm starting to see the petty politics that goes on down in Sydney. This comment is a prime eg, sure link benefitted from Mooney's excellent work but he had to do a lot more himself than simply land on his feet. If someone cant see that, they need to open their other eye.
Bob McGregor
Guest
What would one expect from Eddie - another ex Randwick boy galloping to the rescue and spruiking the name Ewan McKenzie as the new saviour.Why is it that ex Rankwick players are the salvation of Australian Rugby? Does one now observe how much they have deteriorated against such teams as Sydney University and Eastwood now that there's more money flushing through 2 other clubs beside Randwick? He was a failure [couldn't deliver] at the Tahs, Stade de France and fell back on his feet on the back of what Mooney put in place for him at the Qld Reds. Gee some people have short memories.
Bob McGregor
Guest
I agree Sheek, coupled with the knock on at the base of the ruck during the final phases that resulted in the final try. Stuart Barnes missed so much - but really we have to ask; where were the Asssistent Referees? Watched a French 14 game on Foxtel this afternoon - Perpinon V Cleremont - referee was really great - how come he wasn't at RWC 2011? Could it be - like Dickenson - he demanded players play within the Laws of Rugby? Probably, as the ABs & Sth Afr would have been blown off the park under his stewardship. One really has to question the referee selection at this RWC. Time to move O'Brien on.
Louis
Guest
A pass mark! You are kidding yourself Spiro the Wallabies have been terrible throughout the Tournament, beaten by Ireland, should have been beaten by the Boks (Bryce Lawrence), and thrashed by the ABs, and last night was about as encouraging as Quade Coopers world cup. Stop being so one eyed and complaining about Northern Hemisphere Rugby, because from what I've seen from the Wallabies they are about as exciting as a 0-0 all draw in Football!
Sandy B
Guest
um .. Ben?
p.Tah
Guest
I actually like that as well. We'd never hear 4 more years again! The IRB would never go for it, but I still like the idea of a Ranfurly type shield for Test matches even if it's not the Webb Ellis.
Dan
Guest
bazza out of the last 4 games the wbs have won 2 does that make us the best in the world too your a bit one eyed my friend. Good luck tomorrow though.
mace 22
Guest
That's a great Idea the best I've heard in years OJ have it like a ranfurly shield comp. If only