The crack combination of David Pocock and Michael Hooper launched the Wallabies to a gripping 27-19 win over the All Blacks at ANZ Stadium last night to capture the Rugby Championship for the first time.
Next Saturday comes the Bledisloe Cup decider at Eden Park where the Wallabies haven’t won since 1986, and haven’t held the Bledisloe aloft since 2002.
What the heck, Wallaby coach Michael Cheika has made a habit of making his troops believe in themselves. Eden Park will be just another major hurdle to conquer.
Then the Rugby World Cup, just 40 days away.
Make no mistake, today’s Wallabies are the direct result of Cheika’s coaching.
And while beating the All Blacks was a supreme effort, there were many facets of their play that aren’t part of the overall Cheika game plans.
Like passing behind support that jolted any backline moves, especially in the first half. Like losing three successive own-ball lineouts within sight of the All Black tryline. Like missing too many first time tackles, and making too many turnovers.
We haven’t seen the best of the Wallabies yet, but they are getting there.
For example, the scrum has improved out of sight. And it’s worth repeating, the mindset has improved out of sight as well, that’s been a constant weak link over the last decade.
The mindset and the depth, two more major breakthroughs from the Michael Cheika desk.
The front row of Scott Sio, skipper Stephen Moore, and Sekope Kepu with 158 caps between them, more than held their own against Tony Woodcock, Dan Coles, and Owen Franks who share 214.
The locks James Horwill and Dean Mumm last played together five years ago, but last night they played like youngsters, full of energy.
Having already saluted Pocock and Hooper who would have shared my men of the match award, don’t overlook the tireless Scott Fardy. The Wallaby trio outplayed Richie McCaw, Jerome Kaino, and Kieran Read – no mean feat.
But there were two individual debits.
Nick Phipps has played his last game, the only weak link in an otherwise superb performance. He was too slow delivering, his passing pedestrian.
When Phipps was yellow carded for foul play in the 53rd minute with the Wallabies hanging onto a tenuous 10-9 lead, Phipps left shaking his head as though it was a bad decision from English referee Wayne Barnes.
The bad call was the stupidity of Phipps’ foul play.
Once Nic White came on after Phipps’ 10 minute holiday, the Wallaby backline lifted enormously. White landed a critical 48 metre penalty, scored a try and converted it to wrap up the game.
White was the icing on the cake, and I never thought I’d ever write that.
Bernard Foley is gone as well. Matt Toomua will be the 10 at Eden Park.
Foley wasn’t even first choice goal-kicker last night, that honour went to Matt Giteau, and once Toomua came on the backline started to flow as he straightened the attack.
Giteau will be pressed by the presence of Kurtley Beale off the bench, while the back three of Drew Mitchell, Adam Ashley-Cooper, and the incredible Israel Folau will be on Eden Park duty.
Every one of the Wallaby bench lifted the side, yet another coup for the constant Cheika depth drive. And there are more in the grandstand just itching for a crack and deserving one.
Let’s be practical. One Test win doesn’t make a season, but three in a row against the calibre of the Boks, Pumas, and All Blacks is more than meaningful, it’s bloody magnificent.
But four on the trot will be the ultimate, watching Stephen Moore hold aloft the coveted Bledisloe Cup at Eden Park dispatching the 1986 and 2002 hoodoos to the dust bin of history.
Then Wallaby rugby will be back.
Simon_Sez
Roar Guru
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Mike
Guest
No they didn't. But in any case, no sane coach is going to draw conclusions on that basis - it's a method guaranteed to ensure that players in successful teams are retained regardless of their individual contributions!
44bottles
Roar Guru
Another reason, is that the wallabies have played better with TK rather than AAC at 13 in recent years.
Frontrow
Guest
Totally Agreed
PiratesRugby
Guest
Beale causes the WBs problems too.
Frontrow
Guest
Yes the Wallabies played their best game of the season but lets be honest that was the worst the All Blacks have ever played in along time. Sometimes happens. Some of that was Wallaby pressure but seriously no one who knows rugby would claim the woeful defense for Nick Whites and Kepu tries is typical All Black defense Carter was off his game as was SBW - though he got any injury in the first ten minutes but played on - why who knows Savea was two games short of gallop s well and it showed. Hansen said they have not been concentrating on the scrum or breakdown so far but that now had to change As Nathan Sharp has said the All Backs hardly ever get beaten twice and certainly not at Eden Park and they will be a ferocious beast after this loss - his words not mine and he should know The Wallabies and their media should keep the shirt on and realise all they have done so far is got the dragon out of a complacent cave - this week they will face the real fire The All Blacks will not lose the Bledisloe Cup at Eden Park and speaking to some die hard Aussie fans who are friends of mine - they reluctantly admit that is probably a bridge to far for the Wallabies right now and expect a serious All Black backlash. Hopefully Nigel Owen refs - he is by far the best i the world and lets the game flow
Ralph
Guest
I am not sure it will matter if the Wallabies lose at Eden Park. This was their must win game and they did that, the wheels would have to completely fall off at Eden Park to dent the confidence now. This match was about getting rid of the monkey and believing they could do it.
Ralph
Guest
I think this shows the levels between top teams is very close at the moment. An off night in accuracy, a few combinations that aren't settled, a few missed tackle and dropped balls, a couple of missed opportunities in the first quarter and that's the game.
Ralph
Guest
LOL, we are all of us mortals my friend. Always were, always will be.
Ralph
Guest
Not to mention the opportunity for injury to key players. AB's without McCaw? Springboks without Bismarck? Wallabies without Pocock?
Ralph
Guest
Well I am one who thinks the Springboks are not looking too bad either, despite the losses. A lot of very dangerous teams on the way to the RWC me thinks.
Ralph
Guest
You might have read that wrong Jake, they lost by 7 so a 10 point turnaround is just a 3 point victory. A 20 point turnaround (being the extreme a 13 point victory. I think a quick read of this thread shows little kiwi hubris.
Adam Longhurst
Roar Rookie
It would be suicide to give QC the 10 spot for Eden Park. For that game, he should not even be in the team. He will be booed off the pitch and given that he is a kiwi himself, I don't believe it sits well within him to play against the AB's. They well and truly have his measure. If Cheika doesn't play Foley at ten, then he needs to give Toomua a go. I believe also that Toomua is the form 10 for us so far. I also feel that he will deal with the intense pressure at Eden Park better than Foley.
Adam Longhurst
Roar Rookie
Agree Daveski. Worst game I have ever seen Carter play live. He was appalling. Too early to dismiss either Foley or Phipps but yes they both played very poorly. They both have heaps more to offer. It was the best Bledisloe game I have ever seen live. Not so much for the action because Hong Kong was probably better with a real nail biting finish but the energy in the stadium on Saturday night was just electric. You had to be there. Everytime the AB chant started, it was immediately shut down by Wallaby fans. First time I have ever felt that. Normally at games in Australia, the AB crowd drown everyone out and this is true credit to the loyal AB fan. It is great to see fans get behind their team and the AB fans are first class at it. But, on Saturday night, they didn't stand a chance against the Wallaby fans. The atmosphere was incredible and it was worth every cent. Never thought I would say that about ANZ stadium. Looking forward to Eden Park where the AB's will lift another 3 notches and I only hope we can do the same. I am not expecting the win which will make the victory even more sweet should by some miracle, we can pull it off. With the depth and class that Cheika is creating as coach, I am starting to believe that this will become a team that will be very hard to beat. A win this weekend will put everyone on noitce
soapit
Guest
come monday im in the same place as you
Muzzo
Guest
@ Chook Yeh, but I'll tell you what Bro, I would so love to be a "fly on the wall", in the AB camp this week, & I don't think that they will be talking about "fly spray". It's going to be a very interesting encounter, & I don't think Cheika is silly enough to tell the AB's to bring their "A" game. Two great coach's going toe to toe, with two very good teams. How about Ireland, getting up to No.2. Mate this all great for the game, as my Irish blog mate on the Rugby World Cup, blog on Facebook, is absolutely stocked,& is very happy with the depth they have in the Irish squad. Cheers
Markus
Guest
Number 1 isn't that difficult to fathom, you just have to factor in the step up in quality from Super Rugby to Test level. It is a lot easier to be straight and direct against the Cheetahs than it is against the All Blacks, and Foley has just struggled to translate his Waratahs form into strong performances for the Wallabies so far.
karlos
Guest
David, it was an absolute garbage games. The only crack performance I saw were the huge cracks in passing and catching skills. It was the first Union test I had watched for a while and if fans of the game are telling me that was a good showing, then it will be the last for a while. Better to admit it was rubbish so people can see better is expected. If you accept this then you are blind to what actually transpired.
Boris
Guest
Did it look like the AB's had a good game? I think they lost the game rather than Wallaby brilliance if you win at Eden Park I will eat humble Pie!
Mike
Guest
I expect to see a very different AB team next week, but that doesn't mean WBs can't do it. This will be epic.