Wallabies prop Ben Alexander scored an inspirational late try to lift Australia to a crucial 26-19 Rugby Championship victory over South Africa in Perth on Saturday night and ease pressure on coach Robbie Deans.
In a highly dramatic passage of play with 11 minutes left at Patersons Stadium and the scores deadlocked at 19-19, Alexander made a 15 metre charge down the blindside as Wallabies captain Will Genia lay strewn in pain in the backplay.
Genia appeared to land awkwardly on his knee after fielding a kick, and hobbled from the field with the assistance of trainers.
But while yet another potentially devastating injury setback was unfolding for an Australian skipper, Alexander was coming up with the match-turning play as TMO confirmed he had touched down in the left-corner.
Berrick Barnes converted from the sideline to clinch the Nelson Mandela Plate and a fifth successive victory for Australia over South Africa.
The Wallabies trailed 13-6 at halftime, after Springboks flyer Bryan Habana crashed over from close range and South Africa were well on top as they gave Australia a masterclass in kicking.
After devastating back-to-back Bledisloe Cup losses to New Zealand, that put Deans’ future in a precarious position heading to Perth – Wallabies super-sub Scott Higginbotham broke a 178 minute try-scoring drought when he burst through just two minutes after coming onto the field for No.8 Radike Samo in the second half.
Australia failed to score a point in four consecutive halves of football, but Higginbotham’s effort in the 56th minute put the Wallabies in front 16-13 – their first lead of the match.
The Wallabies looked to begin the match with enterprise but fell into the same trap of continuously kicking the ball away.
Springboks fullback Zane Kirchner and five-eighth Morne Steyn punished the Wallabies with a far superior kicking game and put Australia’s back-three under pressure with well-placed up and unders.
Long-range specialist Frans Steyn booted two bombs from near the halfway line to put South Africa in a match-winning position, but Australia delivered on their promise of putting in a whole-hearted performance – and showed excellent determination and composure to stay in the match.
Barnes’ kicking was questionable in general play, but from the tee he was outstanding and potted six from six.
Lock Sitaleki Timani was named man of the match to continue his outstanding start to the Rugby Championship, as Australia got off the bottom of the ladder with their first win of the tournament.
Ben.S
Roar Guru
Clutching at straws...
Blue to the Bone
Guest
Fox Sports commentators in Australia are terrible. Biased and negative. I like the kiwi's, at least they are honest and unbiased no matter who's playing.
Blue to the Bone
Guest
Agree Blue Blood, not enough turn overs at the ruck. We're dying there without Pocock. Overall it was a massive improvement, but from the shouts of the crowd and Deans post interview....... "Stop kicking the ball!!!!!!!!!!!!" I think i heard that about 20 or so times in the first half alone!
Blue to the Bone
Guest
I'm not sure what you mean by Pocock take note?! Without Pocock, how many turn overs at the ruck did we have?! Hooper is not yet upto Wallabies standard. Don't get me wrong, he's not a bad player, but not quite at Pocock/McCaw standard yet.... I'd be watching him for the future though, if i was Pocock
Louis
Guest
Euro snob sounds a touch harsh pal.
Louis
Guest
Thats the thing though, there hasn't been any real attacking games apart from maybe the first half of bledisloe one, the wallabies are missing some players I understand, but they are playing an ultra boring style of rugby. Where are the backline moves or teams building pressure. They just kick for territory like the Boks and the pumas only real tactic is to spoil the games rythm. Give me England vs Wales over ABs vs Wallabies anyday. I guarantee the Autumn Internationals will be better then the RC, just like the June Tests were better then The RC. (so far)
Hoy
Roar Guru
Even if you watched Channel 9 for the olympics, you would have missed about the same amount. ZING!!
jameswm
Guest
Pick Lilo at 12, problem solved
jameswm
Guest
That's 8 of the starting team I'd pick, plus two bench players (McCabe and Palmer).
IronAwe
Roar Rookie
Golly, after the world cup I boycotted channel 9. I will never watch them again. I get all my Wallaby games from the net or friends. Channel 9 should have their rights to broadcast the rugby removed. I didn't watch the olympics on 9 either, but from what I hear, I didn't miss out on much.
Red Kev
Guest
Watching the game the main difference between Cooper's and Barnes' kicking games was that although both executed pretty poorly, when Cooper kicked it was usually the right option (I can think of two that were poor) whereas at least half of Barnes' kicks were the wrong option to take. Regarding Cooper v Lealiifano, I agree they are the two best flyhalves in Australia and it should come down to form on who starts in 10 and who warms the pine. Not that Deans has ever picked on form.
Rugby Tragic
Guest
@ Eric, I agree that Barnes was the main culprit, but also Cooper, Beale and Genia need to take some responsibility, not sure I suggested that Cooper was the 'main cuprit'. Possession is so precious to kick it away aimlessly should not be acceptable. Hold the ball and the other side cannot score and those chip and grubber kicks while on defence ... I'll be at Skilled Park, the Wallaby forwards are going to have to work hard to gain parity with the Puma's - I just hope the backs do not overkick and needlessly give possession away again. The point that I made is that to me, it appears that when Cooper takes on the line, often there is little choice other than to take the tackle and have the ball recyled to start again, but but he kicks or passes to someone who maybe not in any better position than him rather than steadying the ship. At the beginning of last year, the media had him pitched as the 'world's premier flyhalf'. Statements like that are pushing the envelope and creating pressure that might be unnecessary. Of course he had his unfortunate injury and has not recovered to be the threat he was but to be the premier #10 - I do not think so, not by a long stretch. The fab three Cooper, Beale and JOC have not lived up to heights of the pedestal that they have been placed on. JOC came closest, in fact I had always thought him to be very talented but as a person I lost a lot of respect for him when he missed the team photo. It should be an absolute priviledge to represent your country and that comes with responsibilties. Back onto the footie, IMO Lealiifano is the future for Wallaby #10 provided he overcomes his injury so where would that leave Cooper if I am right?
Jagman
Guest
Sorry meant Percy
Eric
Guest
Rugby tragic, Cooper is not the main culprit with the poor kicks. It is Barnes. Barnes has lost confidence to take the ball into contact. I actually took notes during the match. 1st minute; Barnes grubbers into the defence, 7th minute; Barnes throws forward pass to AAC, 12th min, chip kick & turnover, 21st minute;Barnes aimless midfield kick, 32 min;Barnes misses touch, 41st minute;Barnes aimless midfield kick, 71st min Barnes aimless midfield kick. The point is that Barnes is supposed to be there for his safe, smart option taking, but he is failing dismally. Cooper on the other hand provides a real threat to the defences in many ways, and you have to give hm free rein, and accept a few things that don't come off.
Riccardo
Guest
Absolutely correct BMW and Jiggles. Goosen is the Boks' future and the sooner that Meyer embraces this the better. Meyer has an exciting roster actually but the way he is weilding it is shortsighted and pathetic
sixo_clock
Roar Guru
Point taken, am guilty of musing rather than thinking. Hell I'd even give the 'c' to Hooper (taking into account his dumb decision to head to Sydney) if he were the on-field tactician our team desparately needs. Our captains are now flag bearers and not leaders since the Gregan retirement. Eales and others have not been advising on this appointment and it shows.
Hopperdoggy
Guest
Agreed. I've always been a fan of Genia, but his response to Kafer was disgraceful. When have any of the Fox interviewers ever asked a tough question that Will would assume what he did. Not at all captain material!
Jerry
Guest
Morne Steyn hasn't won a RWC.
S T Rineestee.rine@gmail.com
Guest
Greetings Has anyone the u-tube of last W try? Lost transmission here as Mini-Tornado headed to NYC area early Sat Thanks S T
PeterK
Roar Guru
does not mean that Bok fans were not expecting a win, against such an avergae poorly playing Wallabies team.