One of 10 kids growing up on a dairy farm on Queensland’s darling downs, I used to dream of being a warrior.
I would imagine performing glorious deeds on the battlefield and being judged brave enough by both my peers and adversaries that when I died, I would be entitled to take a sit at the table within the halls of Valhalla.
As life took its many twists and turns, I got that opportunity in New Zealand in 1982. I had returned with the 1981 Wallabies from our UK tour, to face the might of the All Blacks six months later on a two-week tour of the land of the long white cloud.
In those days, rugby was amateur and as a consequence of our long UK tour nine of our incumbent Test team ended up not going to New Zealand, for one reason or another.
Of those nine, seven were in the Test forward pack and two were in the backs. Absent in the forwards was Mark Loane, Tony Shaw, Greg Cornelson, Peter McLean, Tony D’Arcy, Chris Carberry and Declan Curran. In the backs, Michael O’Connor and Paul McLean weren’t there.
Our Test experience in the forwards amounted to a handful played by flanker Simon Poidevin and Test lock Steve Williams.
New Zealand, on the other hand, had at the time one of their most experienced Test teams in New Zealand rugby history.
We lost the first Test 23-16 in Christchurch and faced a do-or-die battle in Wellington two weeks later to level the three Test series at 1-1.
In the two weeks leading up to that Test I can remember thinking back to when I was that 12-year-old kid milking cows and dreaming the dreams that young boys do. And here I was now part of a team that was facing the biggest battle in world rugby against the mightiest foe in world rugby.
By God, it felt great.
Losing was not an option. But this was easier said than done.
In those days Athletic Park was ‘windy Wellington’ personified, and such was the strength of the winds blowing from goalpost to goalpost in our pre-game field inspection, we estimated that if we won the toss and ran with the wind, we would have to be in the lead by 20 points at half-time – just to be in the hunt.
Simon Poidevin, Peter Lucas and I formed the back row for that Test, and we were facing All Black captain Graham Mourie, number 8 Murray Mexted and flanker Mark ‘Cowboy’ Shaw.
For us, we knew that in your life come moments of truth – where you get the chance to find out what you are really made of.
And this was ours.
Having played the first Test against the All Blacks I now knew why they were so difficult to defeat. They played at the highest intensity for every second of every minute for the entire 80 minutes, and the subtleties in their game were such that you almost needed to be on the field to realise what they were.
For example, in the first Test I had made it my mission to get to the New Zealand flyhalf, only to find my path blocked by Mourie, who ran interference from every set piece.
The subtlety of the line was such that he did nothing to unlawfully obstruct me, but delayed me by a fraction of a section, just enough to ensure that I could not mount the degree of pressure I was hoping to exert at that point in the All Back backline chain. In Test match rugby, seconds count.
Come the second Test, I do not think there was anyone in our team that did not realise it would take a Herculean effort to overcome the black tide.
We won the toss, and took to the battlefield with the gale-force wind behind us. I cannot express fully what it meant to be young and fit, listening to the national anthem in the biggest arena of your life, in the green and gold of your country’s colours.
I thought to myself, ‘Wow – from the farm to here. If I die today from exhaustion, I don’t care – I will leave this earth a happy man. But no matter what happens I will give my all – and do my part in whatever it takes to defeat the All Blacks.’
We turned at half-time 19-3 in front.
Not quite 20 points in front, but close.
To say that the second half was the longest 40 minutes of my life is an understatement. The All Blacks, as they always do, steadily built pressure and clawed their way back.
With five minutes to go New Zealand had come back to 19-16 and was camped ten metres from our try line, with the wind at their back. You could not hear for the wall of sound that came from the New Zealand crowd that seemed to engulf the stadium, as they urged their beloved All Blacks to victory.
At full time – the score was 19-16 to the Wallabies. Against seemingly impossible odds, we held our ground, maintained our discipline and defeated the mighty All Blacks. And while New Zealand went on to win the third Test, I will take the memories of the second Test and the commitment shown by every member of the Wallabies squad to my grave.
And I will die a happy man.
To the lads that face New Zealand this weekend forget about everything else – there is only once place to look for victory and to find out what kind of warrior you are – and that is within.
onside
Guest
The magic and romance of rugby lies in those amateur years, when it was a game, not a profession.
Ra
Guest
The victor writes the history and Hooper will indeed have his time to say it in his own words. Last night was a mammouth task, almost as big as Rochy's own experience back in Windy Wellington. And just as rewarding for Hooper and his bunch of underdogs. I might have put the mocker on my own team, but congratulations to the Aussies for a great and deserved historical win. The proverb is right, it wasn't the dog in the fight, it was indeed the fight in the dog that once again came through.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Guest
My thoughts exactly Rob.
RobC
Roar Guru
Your a genius Chris. It worked just like you said it would
taylorman
Roar Guru
Yep the same one. Have the odd beer with Mr Hewson at one of the Hutt locals now and then...still looks as sharp as ever..
whydoncha
Guest
Mate only a very brave or foolhardy man would doubt the steel in McCaw's spine or the strength of his mental toughness and determination.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Guest
A rare read, Chris. I loved that era. You have gifted us all an insight into that unique cauldron - a Bledisloe. The hardest cup on earth for an Australian to win. I love your story because I worked out Cheikas plan and what is necessary for it to work tonight. What is necessary to make the coach's plan work tonight is described eloquently in your experience in '82. 'If I die from exhaustion, I don't care, I will die a happy man' Thank you.
Lostintokyo
Guest
Very nice post Bennalong. Well written. And I hope the experiment works as you do. I predict the Wallabies by a nose or smashed. The Wallaby spirit may prevail. Certainly hope so. Otherwise it's a pretty poor week for our national teams. And a painful Monday. Go Wallabies !!!
jeznez
Roar Guru
Good on you Chris. Fantastic story and thank you for sharing. Is brilliant to hear the insight from someone who has been there in the cauldron.
Digs
Guest
Very inspiring article and thank you for sharing it Chris. With the usual pre game media hype about how Australia are going to break their drought it's great to read an article that I believe gets to the core of the issue. 23 blokes are standing up tonight proud of their country and willing to give their all (win or lose). Thank you for your passion Chris, it's why many of us love supporting the Wallabies. Go the Wallabies!
sheek
Roar Guru
Australia won two of five tests in 1982, when an extraordinary pool of players were available, but unfortunately, not all at the same time. 2nd test vs Scotland at SCG, won 33-9: Roger Gould, Peter Grigg, Mick O'Connor, Mike Hawker, Brendan Moon, Paul McLean (vc), Phil Cox, Mark Loane (c), Chris Roche, Tony Shaw, Peter McLean, Duncan Hall, Stan Pilecki, Billy Ross, Tony D'Arcy. 2nd test vs New Zealand at Wellington, won 19-16: Roger Gould, Peter Grigg, Gary Ella, Mike Hawker, David Campese, Mark Ella (c), Phil Cox, Peter Lucas, Chris Roche, Simon Poidevin, Steve Williams, Duncan Hall (vc), Andy McIntyre, Lance Walker, John Meadows. Others to appear in tests in 1982: John Hipwell, Greg Cornelsen & Chris Carberry (all retired after 1981/82 tour), Andy Slack, Glen Ella, John Coolican, Bruce Malouf, Phil Clements & Steve Cutler (as a replacement). It was the bane of amateur rugby that you couldn't always have all your best players available at the same time. Especially Australian rugby. Now try picking a composite starting XV from that collection of stellar players.
Hosey
Guest
Great read. Love these personal experiences that paint the picture of what it was like.
Jibba Jabba
Guest
Ka Mate! Ka Mate! Ka ora! Ka ora! Ka Mate! Ka Mate! Ka ora! Ka ora! Tenei te tangata puhuru huru Nana nei I tiki mai Whakawhiti te ra A upa … ne! ka upa …ne! A upane kaupane whiti te ra! Hi! :) :) :)
Jibba Jabba
Guest
Don't forget hewson's gloves and stockings !
bennalong
Guest
Thanks Chris, I envy you those memories. Like you I was born after World war II and filled with the concepts of altruism, self sacrifice and fighting for ya mates, which I took into battle with me on the rugby field. Unfortunately, great deeds were the province of the athletically more gifted, but the mateship was real and I like to think there was a modicum of the heroic about our struggles. But International rugby is truly gladiatorial and courage is required to compete at this level. Richie McCaw stands tall here as an embodiment of what I have always seen as rugby hero. John Eales was our best. Quietly confident that the Wallabies could always beat the All Blacks, filled with certainty balanced by humility. I have to add Bernie here, the bloke they were out to injure, on or off the ball. Light of build but careless of the damage they inflicted, he ghosted though imaginary spaces, elbows and shoulders bandaged as if to hold him together. Heroic indeed. But look to tonight. Michael Hooper and David Pocock have the "right stuff" and never take a backward step. I believe the experiment can work, and hope it does for both their sakes, and ours GO the WALLABIEEEEEEZZZ!!!
Harry Jones
Expert
enjoyed this!
hasbeen flanker
Guest
thanks Chris for such a great insight
Lostintokyo
Guest
Your best article yet Chris. You are a lucky man to have experienced that. I believe this was the series where Mark Ella excelled and Campo had his introduction to test rugby, and stepped Stu Wilson first touch. A kings ransom to have the pack and back-line available for selection today. Very nostalgic, thanks.
havaiiboe
Guest
WDC the intangible one inside wins big game. All Black is very lucky to have someone in the team that has such a trait (Sir Richie McCaw).
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Great stuff Chris, inspirational indeed !