Israel Folau’s three tries and setting up a fourth gave the Wallabies a spine-tingling 54-17 win over the Pumas at Rosario this morning.
The seven tries to two looks like a shellacking on paper, but the men in gold had to work damn hard for the result, the Pumas kept them honest for 80 minutes.
This was the performance coach Ewen McKenzie has been aiming for, it just took too long to get there.
His troops had everything, from the opening minutes when winger Joe Tomane bombed a magnificent midfield bust, only to blow the pass with the line wide open.
A minute later and Folau was in for the first try, 34 minutes later his second, five minutes after that his third as the Folau smile grew wider and wider.
And in the interim Folau set up the Adam Ashley-Cooper try, with the little general Will Genia the go-between man.
There lay the secret – Will Genia is back with a vengeance.
With his forwards delivering quick ball, and Genia on the prowl, the backline lit up, scoring six of the seven five-pointers.
And every one of the backs played their part.
Sure there were hiccups, with final passes going to ground. Even Michael Hooper bombed two tries by being greedy with the first and not serving his support, and in the other chance, he stone cold dropped a perfect pass with the line wide open.
What the hell, this was such a wonderful change in attitude and application, bombing another five tries sounds a bit churlish.
All I asked for yesterday was for the Wallabies to play to their capabilities. They did that, and then some.
The critical point came early, with six Puma-fed scrums on the five-metre mark, a pushover try imminent with the score at 7-nil to the Wallabies.
In that six minute period, the much-maligned Wallaby scrum held firm against one of the best scrummaging packs in international rugby.
They lost prop James Slipper to a yellow card for repeated infringements, and Benn Robinson came off the bench.
That made all the difference, and to keep the Pumas scoreless in that six-minute dogfight was big ticker stuff.
In the wash-up I gave Genia my three points, Folau two, and Ben Mowen one.
For the Mowen knockers, I hope you watched this morning with an open mind.
I have him down for five huge tackles, one try-saving when it counted, and at least another six head-ons, seven driving runs at full throttle into the defence, and winning good clean lineout ball.
A complete performance of leadership quality.
Even though Mowen was my standout forward, the rest were going at full bore as well, playing their part in such a morale-boosting win.
There was nothing left in the tank.
Out the back, Genia and Folau were superb, as was Tevita Kuridrani’s crushing defence, and a couple of excellent breaks, plus the Tomane breaks and eventual try.
The backline is starting to take shape, and barring any long-term injuries look sharp enough to give the end-of-year Grand Slam a shake.
Matt Toomua came on to replace the injured Christian Lealiifano, but it’s a bit early to know how serious that injury is.
And then a magic moment.
In the 66th minute Felipe Contepomi was replaced in his record 87th Test over 16 years, and he left to a standing ovation from his passionate fans in the almost packed stands. A retiring legend in his very last minute of international rugby.
At exactly the same moment Wallaby benchman Bernard Foley came on for his very first minute of international rugby and in the final 14 minutes landed two goals, and in between he engineered, then scored, a 90-metre try in the shadow of full-time.
Such is the history of international rugby, the retirements and the debuts.
Ewen McKenzie arrived as an international coach today, and it was well worth the wait.
Now a well-earned rest before the end-of-year tour, and let’s see how the current walking wounded scrub up for selection, just to keep the pressure on.
But today belongs to the Wallabies and their coach, they have done it the hard way in this tournament, but saved the best until last.
Paul
Guest
The call was heared for him to hold onto it. They took the higher percentage play to secure another phase and knock it up with the Pumas backpeddling. Not greedy, smart work by him and whoever it was that told him to hold on.
Fletcher
Guest
David, I think its a bit rich that you say Hooper was 'greedy' not giving that pass, but he was playing it safe - with 40 points on the board already, there was no need to throw a hail mary. Ben Robbo scored 10 seconds after. If he threw the pass and it got knocked down you would be saying he was stupid to throw it.
johnson
Guest
Please add something different johnno, your constant attacks on post codes is so boring. You have added it to the discussions already pal, move on mate
Seb Vettel
Guest
You only acknowledge a worthy opponent... Argies were not.. sadly.. it's sport no happy hug time.
Chan Wee
Guest
@ WEST : You will find that Kaino is leaner and fitter and a yard quicker than he was in NZ :) Messam is in great form true, but Luatua is still learning to be an international blindside IMO. The MIB like him compared to Brad Shields who is more physical (Hit Man Collins style) because at 2011 under 20 championship Luatua was the 2nd row with Brodie Retallick. as a bench option Luatua has versatility compared to Shields who is an out-and-out flanker. (In fact at the same tournament the NZ 3rd row was Shields Sam Cane and Luke Whitelock the heir apparent it seems to Read).
Billy Bob
Guest
Yes West, there's a big golden train pulling out from the station - destination Dunedin. It's got a good head of steam and a happy engineer. It also has a clanky old carriage where the catching skills and defense realignment is kept. NZ might have to put on another epic to get the cigar. Or not?
WEST
Roar Guru
Wallabies had a far better attitude. They wanted to work. And looked for work. When you can get your teams headspace right. With an attacking mindset that's half the battle won there. That evolves into positive rugby then positive things start to happen. Just need to maintain it and keep improving. Wallabies grow an extra arm and leg against the AB.
mikeylives
Guest
yep
Opheliacrutchmore
Guest
He has limited pace off the mark. Once moving is OK. Looks like is hammy is better now seemed to have a bit more top end speed this game than he did the other games. When I saw him play for the Tahs he lost the ball in contact more times than not especially after breaking the line. He must have support players right on his clacker to secure the ball for him. At fullback he had no idea how to get involved. So we move onto this game:- Seems to have a much better idea on how to get involved and knows a little bit more in what to do when a ruck is formed now. He is pretty to watch when has a head of steam up in space. I am still concerned about ball control in traffic so would be very worried about the idea of having him the centres at this stage. He will learn though. BTW has he committed to Tahs yet?
Opheliacrutchmore
Guest
@handles Have to agree with about Cooper. He has really stood up in the last two games. Would like to make a couple of points however 1. When Cooper defends I think he tends to try and strip the ball too often and not commit to the tackle. His tackling the last 2 games has been excellent, when he tries to strip the ball he tends to fall off the tackle. I think from memory he has succeeded only a couple of times in effecting the strip. An observation rather than a criticism 2. The grubber kick is what put the scrum under pressure in the first 5 minutes (?) of the game. Kicks like that are what brings the knockers out of the woodwork. His passing was sublime and that kick is all that a lot of people will remember. The real test will be how he handles the AB crowd. He got hounded at the last RWC and clearly effected his game. Id Sir Ritchie plays this will really test to see how much he has matured and developed.
Opheliacrutchmore
Guest
I like your set up for back row. Fardy into lock sounds like a plan to get Mowen to 6.
Nigel Imrie
Guest
Mowen started well but was very quiet for long patches of the game, Fardy was my pick of the forwards, he is developing into a great 6, could be difficult for Mowe to hold a spot when Higgers returns. Foley and Toomua are the men to work with for RWC, Foley needs more game time!
Billy Bob
Guest
Samoanaussie, fair enough. Sorry for my assumption about you as well. For the record, Israel Folau is possibly the Wallabies best signing of a player with a high profile NRL history. Izzy is certainly made of the right stuff. His personal character and attitude is what this team has been bleeding for. My criticisms above were of the celebration of him and the Wallabies who have just beaten a tier 2 rugby nation who hardly ever play together. The Wallabies were always capable of yesterday's performance but did not give it till now. I'm pleased I'm grateful I still love Izzy but there are key aspects of rugby that this team need to address, train for and deliver if today's feelings are to be repeated against tier one teams. There is a big black train pulling out of the station.
Justin3
Guest
Gee we missed you mark, don't hurry back...
Brad H
Guest
The Wallabies Brilliant ?? hardly , their lines were broken far too easy , a good kicking game was non existent , the score unfairly flattered them. Unless they dramatically improve the score line will be reversed when they next meet the All Blacks
west
Guest
That's very debatable. Been away from AB camp for awhile and will have to prove his form like everyone else. I have no doubt he will. But luatua is in fantastic form. As well as Messam.
Johan
Guest
Love your optimism Kizza. Any chance Folau could do that to a team in the top 10 of the IRB rankings. Can Folau bowl off spin? we could use him in the Ashes and it must be cricket's turn for some of the Izzy 'magic'.
mikeylives
Guest
Nice theories Jimmy. He's not as big as Savea or quick as Ben Smith... BUT Folau can step a defender cold and not lose forward pace. That's a skill that very few players have (NB - Ioane has it also). Interestingly, he can also bulldoze near the line. He has a remarkable vertical leap (great on attacking bombs), great broken play instinct, can run a good line and can throw a very tidy pass on the run. Positional play and defence communication will come and he's not the greatest at everything, but it's not like he is a run-of-the-mill footballer. Open your eyes.
mikeylives
Guest
ouch.
samoanaussie
Guest
okay fellas let me be the first to apologise for using 'hate' as my expression on a general forum such as this one as it could be seen as something much more worse than it really is.. i don't mean hate just dislike some comments I see.. and @BillyBob .. I'm born and bred aussie with samoan heritage so I got no idea what you are on about Kiwis in NZ and Aus.. When I do mention those few, I do mean the 'minority' who just keep putting him down.. he defintately has a lot to learn before he can be the best of the best.. but some people ive seen on this forum just dont know to give credit when credit is due.. but let me tell you i was so happy to wake up this morning and watch our boys finally start to click