Christian Lealiifano has just one game and one minute under his belt in Test rugby but big match-winning goalkicks are nothing new for Australia’s Mr Composed.
In fact, Lealiifano can’t ever remember missing one.
That’s why the Wallabies couldn’t have any more confidence that the high-pressure responsibilities, and a potential series win over the Lions, rest on his right boot at ANZ Stadium on Saturday night.
The first two Tests were decided by missed penalty shots at the death by Kurtley Beale and Leigh Halfpenny.
While the two experienced Test fullbacks failed with their last-gasp attempts, Lealiifano ultimately won the second Test for Australia with his angled conversion in the 77th minute at Etihad Stadium.
His Brumbies skipper, Ben Mowen, counted it as the fifth time the cool-headed inside centre has had the chance to win a match with his boot in the past two seasons.
“He’s kicked them all and that’s an amazing stat,” Mowen said.
“He’s funny because he says whenever I hand him the ball to kick the winning goal I don’t look him in the eye because I just don’t want to put any more pressure on him.
“But you hand it to him knowing that there is going to be a good result at the end of it.”
The two most memorable for the Brumbies came after fulltime at Canberra Stadium for wins over the Cheetahs (2012) and Bulls, from halfway in April.
“Lucky enough I haven’t missed too many because I would have been bagged out and get all the media like the other guys are getting when they miss,” the affable Lealiifano joked.
The 25-year-old felt the pressure helped him focus, but ultimately he treated every kick like it was in the backyard – including last Saturday’s match-winner in front of 56,000.
“I had a text from an old schoolboy coach and it just said `memories’,” Lealiifano said.
“He said it reminded him of when I was 17 and kicking the winning goal against the New Zealand Schoolboys.
“I haven’t missed one which is very lucky for myself.”
If the rumours currently circling Australian rugby about the imminent demise of Robbie Deans are correct, then Lealiifano’s important responsibilities look set to grow.
Star backs James O’Connor and Kurtley Beale’s attitude and lack of discipline has not impressed Wallabies leaders nor prime coaching contenders and a change of tenure to Jake White would see Lealiifano take a more senior role.
As it stands, Deans’ decision to dispense with Pat McCabe and make Lealiifano, unfortunately knocked out early in his first Test debut, a playmaker from No.12 looks one of his best.
“That’s the debut a lot of supporters in Australia knew he was just going to have,” Mowen said.
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.
Seven months after the Springboks sensationally elected for a scrum from a mark inside their 22-metre line during their run to a fourth Webb…
As two-time World Cup Wallaby Scott Sio put pen to paper to extend his stay at Exeter, New Zealand Rugby is trying to bring…
Everything about the Wallabies in 2024 is new: new coach, new assistants, new expectations, but the same 23 matchday jerseys to fill. Form throughout…
Denied at first, the NSW Waratahs have managed to secure World Cup Wallaby Pone Fa’amausili, as well as Argentine international Enrique Pieretto, on loan…
Let’s not mince words here: many an Australian commentator and rugby fan was dreading Rounds Ten and 11 this year in Super Rugby Pacific.…
Kicking is such a big part of the game and doing it well, more than your opponent, correlates strongly with winning outcomes at an elite level.
