In the first nine games of this campaign, Wallaby half Nick Phipps was a regular pain in the butt, playing traffic cop organising his backline with the ball at his feet, delivering passes all over the shop, and chirping the referee.
Not last night at Eden Park.
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» What changes should the Wallabies make?
» DIY player ratings
» Read the match report
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Phipps was switched on throughout his 61 minutes, swooping on possession, delivering in a nano second with flat accurate passes, and leaving the referee alone.
Had he been a thoroughbred, the stewards would have swiftly called for a swab with Phipps’ massive performance lift.
And the Wallaby backline celebrated with a vastly improved and positive step forward in running 817 metres, compared to the All Blacks’ 583.
Throw in the Wallabies’ 65 per cent possession, and 68 per cent territory, and it would be fair to ask the question how could the All Blacks win 37-10 to set a new world record tier one 18th successive Test victory?
The answer is simple. The Wallabies couldn’t finish off their chances, while once the All Blacks had a sniff, they converted the chances into points – the reason why they scored six tries to one.
Every rugby international has a turning point. Last night it was the 45th minute when Wallaby winger Henry Speight was in the clear with the All Blacks leading 15-10.
Speight dotted down, but referee Nigel Owens went upstairs to check whether Wallaby winger Dane Haylett-Petty had impeded opposite number Julian Savea in pursuit.
At best it was a 50-50 call which should go in favour of the attacking side, but Owens found in favour of Savea.
If Bernard Foley had converted and moments later landed an in front penalty instead of slamming into the left hand upright, the Wallabies could have led 20-15 and it would have been a very different ball game.
But if never wins anything, and the All Blacks eventually clicked into the gear that makes them the undisputed world’s best side that has won the last two World Cups, held the Bledisloe since 2003, and won nine of the last 12 Rugby Championships.
Last night they piled on an unanswered 22 points in just 19 minutes, and it was all over – game, set and match.
But the Wallabies were far from disgraced, they were a much better side than the 27-point margin suggests.
They restored pride and passion, nobody could deny them that and both teams had the 47,744 Eden Park crowd constantly roaring as they ran the ball and rarely kicked.
Next up the Grand Slam tour plus France in November, and if the Wallabies reproduce last night’s form but improve their conversion rate, that tour should produce an impressive five wins.
Providing Nick Phipps plays like he did last night, it will be a welcome revelation.
AKAJorrieKruger
Roar Rookie
I am sorry but Phipps was not that great... He went the wrong way many, many times (at one stage ignoring a certain 3 man overlap), threw a poor pass that resulted in the charge-down, very pedestrian... I cannot believe there is nobody else to take over from Genia. I suppose if Foley stays at 10 (which I have no prob with) we are going to be stuck with Phipps at 9, what a shame...
The Big Lebowski
Guest
Statistically speaking, it appears they were vulnerable. Metres run, possession, territory, penalty count etc... Except the fact that Australia couldn't put points on them. Then the ABs weren't vulnerable. They were impenetrable.
The Big Lebowski
Guest
Quade Cooper is the Kevin Rudd of Australian rugby. Just when you think he and his supporters are gone forever.....
Catkins
Guest
nice use of the head Hooper...............
Akari
Roar Rookie
TBH, I haven't seen all of Jake's game during the NRC and I have read here about his positive exploits as a HB. He might just have had an off night and I'd be happy to be proven wrong as he is still a kid and the world is his oyster if he keeps learning. I'll still be keeping an eye on him next year and hope he goes well and makes the next level.
Akari
Roar Rookie
I was aware of Genia's unavailability, DA.
Billy
Roar Rookie
Right On Isaac, agree with you although both Rod Kafer and Tim Horan thought differently to how Phipps played saying what a great match he'd had as he trotted off. Phipps attempted offload to Speight enabled Ben Smith to capitalise resulting in The Bus scoring and that hasn't been mentioned. The Foxtel commentary team were more affected by the Speight no try than the Wallabies were and were completely discombobulated for the rest of the match. Kearns was unusually quiet but Clarke, Horan and Kafer struggled to move on.
Markus
Guest
I think Iceman is actually the perfect comparison. Gives the impression of a cool head and more well rounded skillset, then chokes when it really counts and needs to be bailed out by Maverick.
Markus
Guest
Huge turnaround in his running game, very impressive there. But his goal kicking and penalty kicks for touch were atrocious.
Markus
Guest
Still wouldn't change the fact he has a weak pass and makes poor decisions.
Kiran Srinivasan
Roar Rookie
I completely agree. You don't get points just for being a flyhalf, especialyl when Quade gets chastised for every tiny mistake. He was mediocre at best, and his poor defense let in the first two tries (missed 3 tackles on the first try, and didn't cover as defensive fullback for Folau which is something Quade has the pace and stamina to do)
taylorman
Roar Guru
Oh he lost it a long time ago Muz. The transformation is complete. Even the name.
taylorman
Roar Guru
For the final time? I doubt it.
taylorman
Roar Guru
I'm with RT. Savea wouldn't have hauled him in if he'd had a clear run. What annoys me is how critical people think it was. Wasn't given. Move on. Geez.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Sums it up for me nicely.
canadiankiwi
Guest
I was very critical of the Wallabies' selection of Phipps and Foley before the test and stated that with the pair being selected, the Wallabies had absolutely no chance of winning. I was wrong. Phipps played well and Foley was fantastic. It was because of these two that the Wallabies were in with a chance going into the second half. Hopefully for the Wallabies, Phipps and Foley can carry on this form on the a Grand Slam tour and I will now cheer for the Wallabies and Springboks, as I always do, on the November tours. In regards to the Speight try, Yes, the Speight try should have been awarded, just as Coles should have been awarded a penalty try for being tackled from behind without the ball. You can't use a referee call against you as an excuse to play poorly for the remaining 30 minutes and allow 22 points (and 3 tries) to be scored against you. I do not think the Wallabies will progress much from where they are now under Mike Cheika. The most successful coaches in the professional era have been tacticians and strategists who are calm and level-headed under pressure. Cheika is very emotional and hot tempered and while he certainly has increased the Wallabies physicality, there has not been much innovation or tactical genius demonstrated in his two years in charge. Passion got him to a RWC final, but it did not win a World Cup.
riddler
Guest
pirates.. so wrong.. do you even watch the games?
Davo
Guest
Rugby has become soft. What DHP did happens in soccer ALL THE TIME, and same with AFL, part of the game, part of the contest. Referees should tear up their All Black memberships and allow a free flowing contest. Soft soft soft penalty
Boz the Younger
Guest
Speight was at centre when Kerevi went off, Folau was just out of position.
Boz the Younger
Guest
Totally, that was when his bad habit of running sideways kicked in. Another reason for Foley to slow the game down with a bit of kicking.