Mike Harris’ accurate boot and a classic try from Digby Ioane combined for the Wallabies to secure a surprise 25-19 win over the Pumas in Rosario this morning.
For 65 minutes it was one of the worst games of rugby imaginable as both sides coughed up regulation ball, and gave away a spate of penalties.
But a Wallaby win in any fashion is a Wallaby win, and I for one gave them no chance.
So far this season 38 players have pulled on the gold jersey, thanks to a spate of injuries, many of them to key players like James Horwill, David Pocock, Will Genia, Drew Mitchell, Berrick Barnes, and Adam Ashley-Cooper, just to name a few.
But today, despite all the short-comings, the Wallabies showed ticker, and resolve.
Harris landed seven from eight, with the Ioane try in the 64th minute a miracle in itself.
The execution of the try was brilliant, but the 63 minutes before wasn’t vintage from Ioane. He dropped the high ball, spilt passes, and lost control of possession just about every time he handled.
But Ioane was instrumental at a crucial moment in one of the gutsiest Wallaby performances in a long while.
To win in Argentina is a huge ask, especially after being flogged by the Boks last week, and the debilitating 24-hour travel to Rosario.
In humid conditions, the ball was like an iceblock. But these are international footballers and they should have been able to compensate.
Adding to the drama, referee Craig Joubert missed many knock-ons, and made many wierd decisions, but in the end the better side won on the day despite just 46% of possession.
The only Wallaby who stood out was Kurtley Beale. There’s no doubt fly-half is his rightful spot, especially when Genia returns from injury and gives him far better and faster service.
As for Robbie Deans, the win will keep his knockers on the other side of the door.
The real litmus test will be on October 20 at Suncorp against the all-conquering All Blacks who have gone through the Rugby Championship like a hurricane.
But for now, the Wallabies deserve praise for sticking to their guns and beating a tough side on their paddock,
And it’s nice to be able to write it for a change.
Lats
Guest
Dude,,, against SA Phipps was ok.. he made a really bad knock on late in the second half when we were on the attack.. apart from that he was fine IMO.
Sage
Guest
Very happy to have Los Pumas part of the Rugby Championship Fernando. It's been a real breath of fresh air and the approach of your players and supporters is admired. The "LP Condiment", I like that plus your comments on all being united. Well said Fernando.
Mike
Guest
Fair comment BB. I do think Ioane is a class player, in the sense that "class is permanent, form is temporary", but he has been way out of form for some time. I hope he recovers it soon.
Blue Blood
Guest
Are you being facetious? If so I agree. If not; This was the worst game I've ever seen Diggers play. Terrible hands in contact and under the high ball. His only saving grace was that he kept working hard and got slotted through from a set piece to score a try.
Mike
Guest
I agree. Re No 8, when some young guy shows that he can consistently turn in a better performance than Samo, then he can have the position. So far, no-one seems to REALLY want No 8, except Samo (and Palu, but injuries have effectively ruled him out). The thing they have to realise is that Radike Samo is not going to just hand the jersey over. He is old, determined, has plenty of heart and loads of experience. If they want it, they are going to have to take it.
Mike
Guest
I agree. Robinson has gone through a form slump recently, but he remains our best scrummaging prop. With him in the pack, we aren't world-beaters, but we are taken seriously. On Saturday night there were some traces of the old Robinson in general play, so I hope he is on his way back to being our best all-round prop.
Mike
Guest
Good point Kane, and Rod Macqueen is usually regarded as the most successful Wallaby coach of all time. Deans' record is not that bad. In any case, he only has another year to go, but the new coach will face many of the same problems in Australian rugby unless there is significant change at all levels.
Dropgoal
Guest
Finally see that the AB's have got over their mucho,mucho ego and it's ok to do dropgoals now
Mike
Guest
Et tu Brute. We will have to get the Centurion to give you a latin lesson: "Centurion: What's this, then? "Romanes eunt domus"? People called Romanes, they go, the house? Brian: It says, "Romans go home. " Centurion: No it doesn't ! What's the latin for "Roman"? Come on, come on ! Brian: Er, "Romanus" ! Centurion: Vocative plural of "Romanus" is? ..."
Mike
Guest
Good point runit. We have been left behind in many aspects of professionalism, and we need to lift our game.
Mike
Guest
Well said.
Mike
Guest
Good analysis.
Mike
Guest
Bono, you are right that the two extra S15 teams has brought our 3rd tier into focus - in the professional era its not good enough to work off a patchwork of variable quality club comps. Not sure what the answer is, but we have to sort it out, and quickly. Good point about the ABs players being given time off during S15 - that is another area where ARU has to step in.
Mike
Guest
I have been watching Hooper each test to see if he can keep up the standard - many players can only produce flashes of brilliance at this level. But this chap looks the goods. I relish the idea of two players of the standard of Hooper and Pocock competing for the No 7 slot, shades of the Waugh and Smith rivalry. And they both have years of play ahead of them. Bring it on.
Mike
Guest
Great to hear from you Fernando. Rugby needs Argentinian enthusiasm, so does the RC!
Mike
Guest
Billy Bob, good point. I am not yet convinced that Beale should be our first-choice 10, but he has had two good games. With our forwards being monstered by Bokke at Loftus, he showed he could keep relative composure under real pressure. I think a game like that says more about a player even than his better performance against Argentina. Beale had a lot of penance to do after his two horrid defensive lapses against NZ, but Deans showed faith in him, and he has repaid it. And I agree about Sharpe's captaincy, just what WBs needed.
Mike
Guest
Spot on.
moaman
Roar Guru
Hola Fernando! Gran haberle escrito a nosotros de un argentino perspectiv ;-) Keep it up-it's always good to hear from another viewpoint. And don't worry about the whistles!! It is fantastic to have Los Pumas in the RC with us.
Billy Bob
Guest
Gold, Spencer! For the troll in black. Silly Aussies thinking every rugby article is not about the team from NZ.
Billy Bob
Guest
Dave, agree about Beale. He is a must pick but where? Cooper or Christian L. (with fitness and form) would have the more complete 10 game. But I also thought that Kurtley would offer excitement at 12. And he looks solid as well. I am one of the critics of oz rugby structure (for reasons I won't repeat here) but I am enjoying the culture of this particular team. I think that Sharpe's captaincy has done a lot for this group. The urgency around the ball in Argentina was actually perfect. It is possible to have perfect urgency. Not all in gold had it at once but someone in gold had it for each play. Now if only they could catch and pass? I like these players. They did not have urgency in SA but I'm thinking (and hoping) that they have learnt from that folly and are ready to apply the same urgency theory to NZ. Might be an interesting experiment. Well done boys . Well done Robbie.