Australia has registered their first win of the 2016 international season with a 23-17 victory against South Africa at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane last night.
This result will provide some much needed respite for the Wallabies and coach Michael Cheika after heavy criticism post the Bledisloe Tests. The microscope will remain on the Springboks and further pressure will mount.
They now head to Christchurch with a rampant All Black side awaiting them.
Here are my talking points from the match.
Wallaby defence
While one can lament over the Springbok attack which was at times disjointed and directionless, the Wallaby defence was vastly improved from previous outings. Aggressive and urgent, Michael Hooper in particular getting through a mountain of work.
This led to a better breakdown performance as well, securing nine turnovers in the process and is an important confidence boost for the remainder of the season.
Wallaby set piece
Another area which saw dramatic improvements with a dominant scrum and a more secure lineout with more variations employed, losing only one yesterday through poor handling.
Still unable to exert any real pressure on the opposition throw but at least looking secure on their own throw. What has happened to the Springbok scrum? What was once considered an area of strength looks well below par.
Springbok attack
On attack the Springboks looked directionless and lacked any real endeavour with ball in hand. Several unforced errors and poor passing robbed them of gaining any momentum and possession was invariably kicked away.
There is plenty of speed and skill in this side however unlocking it into a cohesive force is proving challenging. Elton Jantjes appears to be struggling at first five and perhaps consideration needs to be made around the ten jersey.
The last ten minutes
A frustrating period from both sides permeated with poor kicking and perhaps a sign of the pressure to secure a win with a nervy ending not producing the climax one might expect from a six-point ball game.
Certainly an area both sides will look at and question where was their direction and leadership during this critical period?
All in all, an improved all round performance from Australia and a much needed win heading into next week’s encounter with a strong Argentinian side. A bleaker outlook awaits the Springboks, with a trip to Christchurch up next.
There is little to suggest they can mount a reasonable challenge against an in-form All Black side.
These are some of my talking points from last night’s match, what were your takeaways from the Test?
Browny
Roar Rookie
Adelaide wins the home game attendance this year with an average of 47k, just over Collingwood's 46k. Put some of that down to Adelaide's great form, the fact that Adelaide Oval is regarded as an incredible sporting venue and Collingwood's poor/inconsistent performances this year. Also that game where it was about 2 degrees and they had their lowest attendance since 1941 (which was still about 20k for what it's worth). From what I can see the 2016 Aus SR attendances had an average of around 15k. It was 21k in 2011 and 24k in 2006. It's basically been a steady decline.. the graph looks pretty linear. Hawthorn has Collingwood (and everyone else in the country) covered for memberships with some 75k. The pies have dropped down to 74k and the top NRL club, the Broncos, are sitting on about 36k, for those playing at home. Funnily enough, Richmond and Freo had increased numbers despite their on-field efforts waning. http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-08-25/hawks-overtake-pies-to-top-membership-ladder I know QLD used to have good numbers somewhere up around 50k but I'm guessing that's not the case now, while the other franchises are probably closer to the Gold Coast/GWS/whole-bottom-half-of-the-NRL numbers, if not lower.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
To the rusted on the Boks may be a traditional rival, but to fringe fans they aren't. Only Eng and NZ hold big drawcards as they are traditional rivals across all sports. A big part of it is the expat population. Saying that despite losing streaks that Wallaby fans should still be loyal and enthusiastic is detached from reality. That's reality. Everybody faces it. Collingwood is the most popular sporting team in any code in Australia. Their average home attendance in 2011 when they won the Grand Final was 61,000. This year it was 46,000. 25%. They dropped from 60,000 to 48,000 in 2 years. In 2012 they made the finals and still averaged 59,000. In 2014 it was their second year of missing the finals and they averaged 48,000. Losing hurts all teams in all sports.
concerned supporter
Guest
TWAS, You are correct in what you say,but these are Wallaby International Games against old rival South Africa. If the All Blacks were playing Nauru,crowds & ratings would still be huge in New Zealand.I hate to say it but the Wallaby"Brand" at the moment is a little on the nose, it should not be so even losing 6 games straight,Australians should be be loyal & enthusiastic even in the bad times.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Not that worrying as a trend. In 2013 there was close to 1.3M British expats living in Australia. In 2011 there was less than 150,000 South African expats. 30,000 are in Perth alone. Less than 20,000 live in Brisbane There was significant away support for England. Less so for South Africa. A better comparison would be the French tests in 2014 and the Wales tests in 2012 and the SA home test last year in Brisbane (attendance 37,000). But that was the only Brisbane test last year also, so that's a factor. This year there is 2. But TV ratings would certainly be a fair comparison. Last years ratings vs SA were: FTA - 405k (Metro & Regional) Foxtel - 198k Total - 603k This year it was 367k total for FTA and 139k for Foxtel Total - 506k A bad trend, but unsurprising for a team that has lost 6 in a row.
RobC
Roar Guru
cheers DC. It gives a balance view of the Rugby's core issue: - Schools and clubs. Both are weak. - Whilst its main competition league, continues to growth AFL struggles to get a hold in NSW / Qld / Canberra. Which is where Rugby fails to consolidate its position. - http://www.theroar.com.au/2015/06/09/queensland-aussie-rules-is-dying-a-slow-death/ - http://www.theroar.com.au/2014/06/28/afls-negative-image-nsw-queensland/
concerned supporter
Guest
@Browny, You make some common sense points in relation to NRL & AFL September finals.However the 139,000 Fox viewing on last Saturday night was the lowest of the year,even lower than NZ v Wales matches from NZ.No Wallabies playing there. Reference:"Footy Industry Category - Archives TV Ratings"
RobC
Roar Guru
This is nowhere near as good as our Bok / Blossom "article" ;)
Browny
Roar Rookie
I think the big factor there is broadcast competition and appeal of watching Australia take on "the old foe". Remember that back in June it's mid-season for AFL and League as opposed to finals footy. Even though June 11 had a few good footy games on that night, Cats vs Kangas and Eagles vs Crows, but nothing in comparison to finals footy, particularly this year where it looks to be the closest '8' we've had in a long time. There's been a lot of talk of the league finals situation too, perhaps more than normal. Considering how many people that watch the union in Australia probably consider themselves 'casual fans' it's unfortunately not hard to see the viewers finding themselves directed towards the domestic september blockbusters. I'd consider myself a die hard but I often don't watch the games live anymore, they record on fox and I'll watch it when I get home saturday night or over breakfast on the sunday. None of my mates actively watch it, especially now AFL finals are in full swing, and it's pretty rare that it's on tv anywhere down here aside from sports bars. On a positive note, it's pretty easy to avoid hearing the score/result when I'm going to watch the game later as no one talks about it... footy results are impossible to avoid and you'd have to try hard to not hear about the storm but the Rebels or even Wallabies?...
concerned supporter
Guest
Statistics for the Test Match, Aust v England, June 2016 Lang Park Attendance 48,735, V South Africa, September 2016, Lang Park,Attendance 30,207 Decrease 18K TV Audiences June 2016 FTA Metro 438,000 Regional ,241,,000 Fox 266,000 Total 945,000 Sept 2016 228,000 not known 139,000 367,000 exc Regional Decrease 337K Worrying signs for the ARU,especially the huge drop in Fox viewing,nearly 50% decrease???
Digby
Roar Guru
Thank you for sharing that Rob, good read.
Digby
Roar Guru
And I bet he always get treats despite the mess on the rug.
Digby
Roar Guru
I was very tired yes. Came out alright despite the half assedness of it all :D
Carlos the Argie
Roar Guru
Our new Border Collie puppy is named Richie. He is very smart, he knows the house rules and learnt them quickly. He still manages to get "off-side" quite a lot... The name fits the profile....
Harry Jones
Expert
Best article I've seen on GAGR (except for our Japan scrum series). I think it would be a great thing for Aussie schools to have regular competition with the Western Cape schools. Our big schools are already tied up with ENG, FR, WALES schools, but second tier schools would be still very good competition for OZ schools and the interchange of styles good for both.
Harry Jones
Expert
He wrote it in his sleep. That's his skill level. Hey, Bish. I just submitted an article that is really sloppy, shoddy, and illogical. You'll love it. It's about "how to try to beat the All Blacks." I also solve the space-time continuum issue in it.
Harry Jones
Expert
and it's still happening to Bismarck Does any true rugby fan or pundit think Bismarck would not have added to our spine against Ireland, Argentina, and Australia? Bismarck for 45:00; Marx for 35:00 (it's like having extra openside)...
RobC
Roar Guru
yes, non-shirley. Even better the point in my case was. The centres should be line/tackle breaker/bender with passing skills WBs are wasting a centre position. The 15 can play the 2nd distributor role when the need arises
RobC
Roar Guru
A MUST READ: http://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/the-unique-nature-of-australian-schools-rugby-part-i/
Nicholas Bishop
Expert
Good summary Digger, pretty succinct really! :)
Rhino66
Roar Rookie
Agree about the very poor marketing. Heard a radio ad that went along the lines of "Watch Izzy makes the Springboks dizzy:" Seriously ... do the ARU have any idea of who their supporter base is by approving that kind of rubbish.