The Wallabies played out another dramatic draw against the Springboks in the Rugby Championship and the latest installment was full of talking points.
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Izzy’s golden touch continues
It took just 10 minutes for Israel Folau to continue his try-scoring streak. From an attacking scrum, Will Genia shifted to Bernard Foley who, aided by a Tevita Kuridrani dummy run, whipped an inside ball to Folau on the charge. The fullback went over untouched for his 11th try of the season ‒ a Wallaby record for a calendar year.
He might be criticised for drifting in and out of games, but you can’t say Folau doesn’t make the most of his opportunities. A reminder that he’s still got games against Argentina, New Zealand, plus the Spring Tour left to extend the record. Eesh!
Running rugby is alive and well
As frustrating as two draws might be, it was another cracking Rugby Championship contest. If anyone expected a long distance penalty shootout in Bloemfontein, the players had other ideas.
Both sides turned down kickable opportunities in favour of set-piece attacks.
Instead of using the thin high veldt atmosphere for shots at goal, both teams looked to sap the opponent’s energy with ball in hand. It seems an increasingly popular tactic in this competition: start with purpose and try to land the knockout blow early on. You don’t win friends with penalty goals.
Also a quick shoutout to Ross Cronje’s try-saver on Kuridrani at the 65-minute mark. With a certain try and 8-10 point lead on the cards, the Springbok halfback hurled his entire body into contact, the speed bump sufficient to derail the K-train. It kept them in the game.
Rocks and diamonds from Beale
In Kurtley Beale, the Wallabies have a player who provides a crucial spark in transition. It’s the missing link between Foley’s guile and Folau’s finishing. Beale is always sweating on opportunities to turn defence into attack, and it was no surprise to see him heavily involved in unlocking the Springboks defence yet again.
The flipside is that, despite much improvement, his defence is still shaky. By defending as a supplementary fullback, attackers who break the line can take him on at full tilt. Beale was bumped off on a few occasions, including by the rampaging Siya Kolisi to set up Jan Serfontein’s try.
(Image: Tim Anger)
Rob Simmons’ calamitous cameo
It’s never fun to single out a player for criticism, but Rob Simmons may have inadvertently handed in his Wallabies resignation with his second-half horror show. When Michael Cheika opted for a 6-2 split on the bench, you can bet he was hoping for an impact from his forward reserves.
Simmons’ first involvement was to be in front of the kicker at the restart, only to double down by taking out the Springboks catcher in the air. The tackle was high as well somehow. He knocked on the next restart, unopposed and unaware. The cherry on the cake was a lazy hospital pass to Samu Kerevi in the final seconds that threatened to stymie the final attack.
The forward pass that wasn’t
At the 76-minute mark, with scores level, the Springboks shifted the ball wide left. Reece Hodge rushed up on Andries Coetzee, forcing the fullback to fling a wild pass about three metres forward. The nearside assistant ref was perfectly in line as Courtnall Skosan scooped it up, yet somehow play carried on.
The subsequent phases resulted in a Springboks penalty and shot at goal which Jantjies missed. There would have been serious uproar had the kick gone over and proven to be the game’s decisive score. Yet the alternative should have been a Wallabies attacking scrum on the 22. Who’s to say they wouldn’t have come up with points of their own?
All up, it was another enthralling battle between two willing sides. After starting the tournament in disarray, the Wallabies are now in with a strong chance of securing second place behind the All Blacks next week. Third, I suppose, if you count daylight.
Stanley
Guest
As for the first try, it would've been a brilliant try, if it wasn't for the (clear) forward pass that the referee, from his position, didn't see. Check the replay again. That try got the Wallabies off to a great start (that they didn't deserve), and was their first stroke of good fortune on the evening. Then there was the hair grabbing incident, that should've resulted in a red card, or yellow card at least. A fair decision would've swung the game heavily in the Bok's favor again. The Wallaby coach's laughable defensive comments afterwards was more prove of how terrible the incident really was. That was the second stroke of good fortune for the Wallabies on the night. Jantjies missed what was a very kickable penalty in the dying minutes of the game. The third and most decisive stroke of good fortune for the Wallabies on the night. The Wallabies we're extremely lucky to come away with the draw on the night. The Boks should've won the game, but they didn't. I agree it was a very exciting game to watch.
Stanley
Guest
"Check the vision" would be a more suitable response to your comment, and all those here who try to ignore the hair grabing incident by refering to video footage that don't exist and "got wiped". You ound like a bunch off conspiracy theorists. Falau should've received a red card. As for the scuffle afterwards, both teams got involved, as you'd expect, in the heat of the moment. An apology from Falau and Cheka is what you'd expect. Maybe Cheka really has vision problems. The ref certainly did. All things considered the Wallabies were extremely lucky to go away with a draw in the end.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
Lance and Ross Haylett Petty (Before Injury) Or Scott Fardy Niasarani should be eligible next season, Assuming Fiji don't select him first. He is a true 6/8 but not much of a lock. Which is a problem,. With dual 7's the 6 needs to be a reserve lock as injury cover for the last 20 minutes.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
Churlish ~ rude in a mean-spirited and surly way. I had to go and look that one up. I will own that, proudly. Take any successful team in world rugby (Ireland, England and NZ) and find me players that are great in attack and sub-standard in defense or any role required of their position or are out of form. I can only think of Bouden Barret (last year) and Julian Savia. Both of which got sent back to the minor leagues to get better before they were invited back to play for their country. In Australia we Gold Plate their contacts and complain that the proles selected to do the defensive work are under performing. This is a problem Deep in the organization. We must get out of the habit of hero worshiping players from he highlights reel and start recognizing talent and contributions in defense.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
He was playing on the wing when he "collared" Ledys. He was a lost puppy in backfield when he decided not to catch that deep kick kick. He is only 1/2 a player, I want half of that $2.5 Million back thank you very much, At $300k each, we can buy 4 players that can defend.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
He also made an early tackle.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
I think he got 1 or 2
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
Ritchie Arnold has 20 minutes more fitness and is quicker than his slightly older brother Rory. He is lighter and makes less of an impact, so not much use to Chieka.
Hoy
Roar Guru
Yeah, he was the tackler, was on his feet, and had hands on the ball and when he started, he was the only man there, no saffas.... I thought that was bit tough that one...
Hoy
Roar Guru
Why would who he played for make any difference, if he was unfit and lazy?
anotherarmchaircritic
Guest
I disagree that no Australian team has a winning habit. The Matildas have the winning habit, and good attitude. The Australian Women's Cricket Team also have the winning habit, and good attitude. And let us not forget our men's and women's hockey teams.
soapit
Guest
because good players can never have any legitimate criticism,
Demetri
Guest
The Lions know all about Campo and gimme trys ?
In Brief
Guest
They were probably shouldn't have been penalties as the player wasn't tackled in the air, and the arms weren't even wrapped, they just 'looked' bad.
Rt
Guest
Yep and I thought we'd be smashed by wounded bock at altitude. We weren't, I give it a 7+ out of ten we weren't great, nor were they but geez I enjoyed the game. Offer me a 27-27 draw beforehand I'd've taken it. Offer it to me after the first 25 minutes I'd've jumped over you to get it
double agent
Guest
Did I say he was a good defender? Try reading. Btw does Pirates refer to West Harbour?
Major_Boothroyd
Guest
There isn't another 10. That's why Foley is the clear choice at 10 for me for the WBs. But if someone came along - I don't think it would take much to unsettle Foley from that position. Same as 6 or 8. I just think those positions would be up for grabs quicker than most other established positions (Coleman, hooper, Genia, Folau, Beale all seem more cemented than foley would be).
AJM
Guest
How about the muppet who keeps on selecting them????
double agent
Guest
If you know of this 10 then please feel free to share.
double agent
Guest
Please. Not another Elsom!!