Israel Folau and Will Skelton provided renewed hope for Bledisloe Cup success, as the exciting Wallabies double-act combined to sink France 39-13 on Saturday at Allianz Stadium.
Two cornerstones of Australia’s future starred in front of a record crowd of 43,188 on a picture-perfect afternoon in Sydney to clinch the Wallabies’ first 3-0 clean-sweep of the French.
Their impressive five-tries to one win marked their seventh-straight victory, the longest streak for an Australian side since 1999-2000 when they were last world champions.
It was a big day out for the NSW Waratahs, who will next week resume their push towards a Super Rugby home semi-final.
All points were scored by NSW players and man of the match went to Waratahs powerhouse Wycliff Palu.
New Zealand’s Bledisloe Cup dynasty stretches back to 2003, but the Wallabies enter August’s first Test with rare momentum.
Giant debutant Skelton announced himself to international rugby with a bang, crashing over with just his third touch after eight minutes.
After he was silenced by France in last week’s 6-0 slugfest in Melbourne, Folau came to life in front of the biggest rugby crowd at the Sydney Football Stadium to cross in the corner and boost Australia to a 20-6 halftime lead.
Then just two minutes into the second half, Skelton defied his 2.03 metre, 140kg frame to pop a gem of a ball to a flying Folau who saluted the crowd before crashing over.
If the Wallabies hadn’t sent a clear enough message to the All Blacks that they were coming with a new vigour in 2014, it was reinforced when skipper Michael Hooper swan-dived over in the 61st minute.
Reserve halfback Nick Phipps crossed for his first Test try inside the final five minutes to complete the ‘Tah-fest’.
It was a nice 49th birthday present for Ewen McKenzie, but there’s still plenty for the coach to think about before he gets his players back in camp for their Bledisloe and Rugby Championship preparations.
Execution in attack was poor at times, and there slip-ups at the set-piece, but the Wallabies played with intent and shape in their attack to suggest last week’s tryless Test was an aberration.
Folau’s double was his third in just 18 Tests, and brought his overall count up to 13 five-pointers.
Skelton made his presence felt in a promising debut, the earth shuddering at one point in the first half when he cleaned out French players like a bulldozer.
Bakkies
Guest
Don, Deans was criticised for being slow to use his bench. Let McKenzie do his thing. I rather bench players being used earlier if they are there to make an impact than given token 5 to 10 minute caps.
Richie Walton
Roar Guru
Now how good would it be if the Waratahs were playing the Brumbies at Allainz this weekend rather than ANZ. The fans are still on a high after the weekends game, it's a top-of-the-conference game with the potential for the Tahs to go No.1 overall and you have 2 of the most talked about players in Australia taking the feild (Skelton and Folau). Great opportunity left to die a sad death in an empty stadium out in the mangrove swamp of Homebush..
Richie Walton
Roar Guru
The atmosphere and rugby were great - and i'll bet the pubs and restaurants around Paddo/Surry Hills made a killing. Easy for people to take the kids along with 3pm kick-off. Quite a few people talking about how good it was today - best advertisement for Rugby in years. Leaves the graveyard that is ANZ Stadium for dead.
MAJB
Guest
Johnno, I am not North Shore and I was there with my family, staring into the sun, after buying the wrong seats. However, if Rugby is going to survive then the fan and player base must broaden. The game just highlighted the decline in French Rugby and the advantage of size and vision, i.e. Skelton. Just like England’s failure in the Soccer WC the French decline in Rugby due the same reason; domination of domestic competitions by foreign players. While the Southern Hemisphere Countries retain strong domestic competitions with mainly local players, then these countries will continue to dominate world Rugby.
Drew Musch
Roar Pro
Yep, despite that I thought we were making progress from the Deans era into a team that could, eventually, challenge the top teams again. Our shape and attacking intent were much better at such an early stage with a new coach, so while we didn't get the results I thought we were heading in the right direction.
Bakkies
Guest
Don't own the ground, have a contract to play all tests at Lansdowne Road where 10 year tickets are being sold and again that has nothing to do with the ARU's poor financial situation.
Yogi
Guest
Johnno other than you massive call that Pocock will knock Hooper out of the #7 jersey I think you have nailed it. White and Foley are not taking their chance to nail down the #9 and #10 jerseys. And maybe by that time Sio will be starting with Slipper on the blindside. Anyone else wondering if there is room for both Palu and Skelton in the 15? Both played brilliantly on the weekend but they are very similar in what they bring. I reckon play them both against the sides that will try and strangle us in the forwards (eg Poms and Saffas) but only one of them in the run on side against kiwis and others.
soapit
Guest
i'd have to watch it again to see why but the ruck fell apart in the last quarter
Benny As Tackle
Guest
Got feel that Big Will Skelton takes some pressure off Palu. For ages Cliffy has been the only battering ram we've had, now he has a buddy...
Johnno
Guest
Well why don't Ireland play all there tests at croke park.
Bakkies
Guest
No kidding and the IRFU isn't foolish enough to start a code war with them. Neither sport goes fully head to head as they are played in opposite seasons.
Bakkies
Guest
Probably not. That's irrelevant. It's all about making more money to get out of the mire. Particularly when there aren't as many home tests next year. The IRB compensation doesn't provide enough cover.
Johnno
Guest
Did the ARU lose money on the weekend?
Bakkies
Guest
That wont make money for the ARU. 43,000 at a Bledisloe is not enough. Neither is scheduling tests outside prime time viewing hours and when the European onsale audience is asleep. That wont get them a larger tv contract.
Bakkies
Guest
Nick to get a team to visit you have to reciprocate in return. The French players didn't seem to be that bothered in the 6Nations. Rarely do they realign when defence is turned in to attack so they have to kick away turnovers. That's stuff you tell kids no to do. There is no directness in attack all lateral. Even the pod system with players on the shoulders of the ball carrier that Liévremont's sides used to provide quick ball isn't being used. Than the forwards had done their bit than the 9 faffs around rather than running or providing quick ball.
Johnno
Guest
GAA sports still rule the working clash Irish lads, not Rugga.
Bakkies
Guest
Julian it's changing in Ireland, especially in rural areas. I say England would be much stronger. Throw in the 300 or so clubs that left the RFU in the north in the mix. They would have a more historical league with strong clubs below it in the other divisions. Yorkshire already provides good talent to the England Rugby squads but imagine if they had even more local players running out for a proper Leeds club in front of 20,000 fans for every home match (their crowds are superb). Wigan playing Leicester in pure Rugby would be fantastic.
Rugby101
Guest
I thought the second string front row did quite well.
chis
Guest
Nice to see the Wallabies pack out the SFS and for now would love to see all Wallabies played at the SFS.
PeterK
Guest
Neither Higginbotham or McCalman in all their chances have EVER have had a game anywhere near as good, what does that say then? You cannot replace Palu hoping the others will actually excel when they never have and have been given plenty of chances.