Welcome back rugby, we’ve missed you. Last night the Wallabies and the Lions reminded us of how the game should be played, with passion, toughness, intensity and skill.
The Brisbane crowd reminded us how the game should be supported, with passion, intensity, red, gold and noise.
It will go down, for the Wallabies at least, as a game of ‘what ifs?’
What if Christian Lealiifano had lasted more than a minute? What if his replacements for that position had lasted more than 47 minutes? What if the turf was a bit more solid under Kurtley Beale’s left boot as he kicked to win the match?
The first 10 minutes was every bit the arm wrestle we had expected. Then, in what was, and could be again be, the Australian way, we took an opportunity presented and ran with it. After multiple energy sapping phases attacking the Wallabies line, the Lions turned over possession through a penalty.
The Wallabies of years past would play it safe and find touch. It wouldn’t matter that the Lions were out on their feet and the forwards hadn’t re-found the line after the turnover. However, Will Genia took the opportunity of a broken defensive line, something you don’t get often in a game of modern rugby, and he ran.
His patience was fantastic, he could have passed the ball earlier, but it would have been too early.
He could have passed the ball to Folau but it would have had to have been a miracle ball to avoid the Lions defenders between the two Aussie players. He could have kicked deep, but at that pace it’s hard to put it not too deep and out of play.
Instead he pulled off such an amazing, low percentage kick that I think even Folau was surprised it popped up so quickly.
George North’s solo try from counter attack was equally spectacular, again making use of kick-chase line not as well formed as it could have been. Great finish from a great player.
Attacking the edges of the British and Irish defensive line also paid out.
Here the “what if” of Lealiifano comes into play.
More often this could have been exploited if second ball player was on the field.
In the end it was Ben Mowen who threw the last pass under pressure to a relatively open Israel Folau. Then Izzy showed why they do, and should continue, to pay him the big bucks.
Ben Mowen was enormous. His defence and continued hassling of Mike Phillips made it very uncomfortable for the Lions halfback.
In my pre game match-ups column I thought the clash between Mowen and Tom Croft would end in a draw. Mowen however, easily outpointed Croft, who was quiet, this time around.
Alex Cuthbert’s try was a victim of circumstance. What if Lealiifano, Barnes or Patty McCabe had been on the outside of James O’Connor while defending that backline movement? Maybe, but it was so well worked and O’Driscoll’s blocking line so deft, maybe not.
Lastly the turf under Kurtley Beale’s foot, What If that holds? Do we all wake up with happy hangovers this morning? Maybe, but he shouldn’t hold his head in shame. His was a game of great contributions until that moment.
Australia needs a goal kicker, a Leigh Halfpenny type metronome that can just keep knocking them over. If he can play like Leigh Halfpenny, that would be a bonus as well. I’m not sure who the best goal kicker is in the Australian provinces but he wasn’t out there last night.
Best thing about that game, other than it showing what rugby can be when played right? Only one week to go until next game in Melbourne. For the Lions, they are on again in three days. What an awesome tour. Matt Giteau is in Australia on holidays at the moment Robbie.
Just saying.
sheek
Roar Guru
Hi Cameron, Life is full of "what if''s". You're also making the assumption that if one thing changed & all the rest stayed the same, it might have been different. So Lealiifano plays the full 80 minutes? He might have had an off-night with the boot also, because of first-test nerves. And being in the centres (his rightful position) to thwart Cuthbert's try? That try might have played out in an entirely different fashion. We will simply never know. The result is what it is. For what it's worth, I'm totally opposed to 'warehousing' the Wallabies from matchplay. Totally stupid idea. Players are going to be injured anyway, the way they are exposed in the modern game. That's because they play too many 'big occasion' matches back to back, whether it be tests or super rugby. The body is battered & bruised from week to week, not to mention travel, & it's resistance being incrementally eroded. I know this sounds like a contradiction, but everything has for & against. It requires balance.But you can't replicate matchplay. If the authorities want to preserve their players, then reduce the number of tests & super rugby matches. But of course, because of revenue requirements, that won't happen.
Bakkies
Guest
Exactly my thoughts especially with no Aus A program or fixture against the Lions. Justin Harrison and Rod Moore had two warm up cracks at the Lions prior to being called up. ''You can have opposed session however it’s very difficult when the team opposite knows exactly the patterns and calls and can just lie in wait exactly where the ball will be. '' That has been one of the root causes of Ireland's problems recently. They had the personnel but you have one coach Les Kiss, who was coaching defence and attack. They were basically defending against his attacking system at training. Figure that one out.
Cameron Treloar
Roar Guru
It's an interesting question. I know that no amount of training can replicate a game. You can have opposed session however it's very difficult when the team opposite knows exactly the patterns and calls and can just lie in wait exactly where the ball will be. I think it would have been good to have the guys play with their provinces as well. If only for confidence, to face the lions and take out the mental factor of thinking they are possibly better than they are. Watching video's when doing a defensive session can often be like watching a highlights reel and can often give you the impression you are playing the best players ever which can be disconcerting. To use a cliche, they'll be better for the run next time round.
Cameron Treloar
Roar Guru
We can only hope Bakkies!
Pabs
Guest
Basically because its played in Aus they are able to compete. If this was in Europe it would not be pretty.
Bakkies
Guest
Cameron what are you thoughts on the Wallabies lack of match prep? Surely that was the root cause of the backs struggling to make good safe contact and O'Connor's poor goal kicking? As someone who plays in France you would understand that you have to be match fit to handle heavy physical contact.
Bakkies
Guest
There was a lot of early engagements, collapses that were played on and feeds in to the second row from the Wallabies which Pollock allowed to happen. That negated the Lions scrum, when they were allowed to scrummage the Wallabies pack was driven back 10 metres. However I don't think Vunipola is there yet as a scrummager him and Marler are a long way behind Corbisiero.
Bakkies
Guest
So you are saying that after 5 years of Deans trying to tell his players play what's in front of you they are finally understanding what it means?
Bakkies
Guest
To be fair Treloar is a pro Rugby player. Maybe this article was from a fan's point of view.
Northern Pom
Guest
Totally agree. BOD was on his feet and got pinged both times. What surprised me is that normally he would stretch his arms out wide as a signal to the ref he had released, then goes for the ball. Aus got pinged on their line for killing the ball which should have been a yellow card. Vinipola was constantly popping up in the scrum which is an offence - no ping. The scrum feeds were so crooked that both sides may as well have 3 props as a Hooker is not needed. Heaslip got pinged for going through a ruck without any opposition, on his feet - How is that a penalty?
mace 22
Guest
The thing I find puzzling is when the lions or wallabies broke the first line of defence where were the support players. This I think is one of the main differences the all blacks have over any other team, when the all blacks make a break there are at least two players in support. I wish they would have a aerial view of the game so I could see if the all blacks expect players to break the line, so they send a couple of players ahead and if a break is made they are already in front and just wait for the attacking player to catch up. Just a thought.
mace 22
Guest
Agree whole heartedly Ajax if the ref had of reffed to the letter of the rules it would have been a penalty fest both sides infringed everywhere. But some of the penalties he did give had me scratching my head.
Cameron Treloar
Roar Guru
Maybe I worded that wrong. Ah there's that word again. Successful/unsuccessful? Good/bad? Surely you get my general point that the playing style of both teams made the game something rugby, as a code, can be proud of. I again make the point, had Genia just played the percentage option, rather than what was in front of him we don't see that amazing try. Had George North safely put in a return kick, and not played what was in front of him, we wouldn't have witnessed that great try. Forgive me but I'm going to say it again. They were the right options. They were courageous options. It is the right way to play rugby. It's a game that has been dominated by fear of mistakes for too long now. Which for me, was the wrong way to play rugby.
Cameron Treloar
Roar Guru
I didn't realise he was meant to kick as well. Poor fella. Gutted for him. He'll be back. He is class.
Nigel Imrie
Guest
The Wallabies were BRILLIANT!! KB played unbelievable rugby, for boys who haven't played for a while they were legends! Now that the 1st test is out of the way and we look to see if the cupboard is bare or is there another 15 Wallabies waiting to take up where their brave brothers lefts off! We will test the depth alright nut it is there if only Deans will be brave, Toomua and Moggs must start so should honeybadger, Kimlin and Sio. The Wallabies will win last two, they are slow and not adventurous enough!
Ajax
Guest
Your a funny guy... historically the Lions only played the Aussies as a warm up to the serious stuff in New Zealand.. as of last night we have played 21 and lost 16 against the men in Red.. we have never beaten them in Brisbane... so a combined All Black / Wallabies side would have 14 Kiwis and Will Genia.. maybe Israel coming of the bench ;-)
Ajax
Guest
Without wanting to sound too much like a poser.. can someone do a review on the great effort of the ref?? A more pedantic man would have killed that game.. as it was it was action packed, desperate, tough, rough, clinical, beautiful. Isnt rugby supposed to be like this all the time at test level?? Kudos to the man in the middle (I watched in a crowded bar in Subic bay.. with the volume drowned out by dodgy Kpop Music...) The French guy who reffed the Qld - Lions game was great as well.. was it the same guy??
Bro
Guest
Bro I hate to say it but O'Conner was very rusty with his lack of recent rugby. May be time to bring in Quade Cooper.
Bearfax
Guest
Hmmm. Yeh. Now that you've mentioned it Bayxxx forget what I said.
Bayxxx
Guest
Wouldn't that look a bit like a Lions v All Blacks Test (maybe with 1 or two wannabees - Genia, Folau)?