When the Wallabies took to Suncorp last night against the Boks with three key original selections missing in David Pocock, Israel Folau, and Adam Coleman, the chances of a much-needed win after two hammerings by the All Blacks were bleak at best.
Altogether, Pocock’s neck injury, Folau’s ankle, and the imminent birth of Coleman’s first child was set to create huge holes in a side bereft of confidence.
Apparently not.
For once in this campaign the Wallabies showed plenty of ticker, toughing it out in difficult conditions to chalk up a 23-18 come-from-behind win.
Sure it wasn’t pretty, sure it wasn’t done by the book.
But who gives a stuff, a win sure beats the living daylights out of a loss.
Two stats from last night demand attention – just 12 Wallaby turnovers in slippery conditions, and only 16 missed tackles for one helluva performance, deserving of praise for beleaguered head coach Michael Cheika and defence coach Nathan Grey.
The Wallabies started the right way with new fly-half Kurtley Beale’s bust that ended in Michael Hooper’s try after two minutes – converted by Matt Toomua.
But when the Boks took a 15-7 lead, the Wallaby faithful could be forgiven for thinking “here we go again”.
The Wallabies obviously didn’t think so.
Toomua crossed after a long lineout feed from the Boks went astray, converted his own try, and Reece Hodge landed a monster 53-metre penalty to go into the break down 17-18.
With the Boks dominating the first half territory with 56 per cent, and the second with 52, the Wallabies stood up to be counted defending with courage, including many big hits.
So much so the Boks were kept scoreless in the second session – no mean feat in itself.
Prop Scott Sio summed it up best in a post-match interview.
He was so knackered with the defensive effort he said he was going to have a very early night, and would be very sore in the morning.
Sio was talking for the entire team, there were no Wallaby shirkers on duty last night, as the 27,849 Suncorp spectators who braved the weather would attest.
So Cheika has some intriguing decisions to make before the Wallabies take on the Pumas at the Gold Coast next Saturday.
With Will Genia back to his busy best, will Cheika retain the Beale-Toomua-flyhalf-inside centre combination?
Beale hadn’t worn the 10 jersey since 2014, but he looked at home, while Toomua won the man-of-the-match award.
Kurtley Beale of Australia (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
Folau must return as fullback, leaving Cheika with two wing positions from four contenders – Marika Koriobete, Jack Maddocks, Dane Haylett-Petty, and Tom Banks.
Up front Pocock and Coleman are automatic selections, but where for Pocock?
Surely the Pooper experiment has run its race, but Hooper can only play seven.
Last night the leadership inspiration came from Genia and Beale, with Hooper again spending far too much time swanning in the backline.
At one stage in the second half he was out on the wing, well away from his open-side flanker’s role.
It’s a tough call for Cheika to make, but the only important Test is the next one against the Pumas, the Rugby World Cup is far too far away to make any meaningful positional decisions.
One thing for sure, last night was a massive step in the right direction.
The Wallabies proved they can come from behind, can tackle, and can retain possession.
They must never return to those bad days where they were an embarrassment to themselves.
If it means winning ugly, so be it.
Come on
Guest
Hanigan comes on with 5 to go, gives away a penalty. FFS
Buk
Guest
Classic comment Laurence. About sums it up too.
piru
Roar Rookie
I also enjoyed that - seven odd Wallabies jostling at one Saffa and he looked like he was having a great time
Phil
Guest
Here we go again,David.Complimentary to the Wallabies,except for Hooper.Anyone could see that Hooper was playing injured for a lot of the match but still put in a huge effort,just like many of his team mates.I even saw a quote from Tongan Thor that Hooper revved him up for a big effort in the last scrum,so perhaps his team appreciate him more than you.I also don't think he is a wonderful captain but nobody can deny he always gives it everything on the field.
Tooly
Roar Rookie
A win on the back of good defence, luck and some dreadful decisions by the Bokkies ; they are hopeless.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
That's why Link demoted him to the bench. I'm not against Foley and Toomua being the 10-12 is Kurtley is out of form given our other injuries, but I'm just not convinced that Foley is really up to it. If Kurtley does get dropped I would hope that we eventually see 10. Toomua, 12. Kerevi/Hodge, 13. Kuridrani.
Kane
Roar Guru
Because man for man the All Blacks are better players, they've also got better coaches, selectors, and administrators.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Hooper
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Peter, what do you base the “fact” that Cooper has lost his speed? He still looks quick to me despite operating with a problem hammy
double agent
Guest
Jason Little was a great 13. Let's get him back.
double agent
Guest
He is a lightweight.
double agent
Guest
He doesn't clear from the 22 because he is so freaking slow to wind up a kick and is a charge down risk. Also his kicks under pressure are not that good.
double agent
Guest
They still got 46 points scored against them.
double agent
Guest
"Hooper is articulate in interviews" He makes an uplifting alternative to interviews I hear with Rugby League players who all sound like they'e been lost somewhere outside Cunnamulla and haven't had contact with civilisation for a decade or two.
double agent
Guest
Agree jeznez. Hooper was out of line there. Embarrassing.
double agent
Guest
Kurtley has always been a bit of a 50/50 player. 50% brilliant 50% rubbish. Unfortunately it's been a long time since we got 50% brilliant. It's down to about 10% and I'm not convinced he should stay.
double agent
Guest
It's news to me that Foley is one of the best utility backs in the world. Bar one or two appearances at 12 I've only ever seen him play 10.
mailman
Guest
I love Kurtley Beale and think he is an awesome player but Saturday night was a very loose and frustrating performance from him. I still think Foley is a more steady flyhalf and Beale should play inside centre. The real issue is what ex-forward Sharpe mentioned and that is the one dimensional and predictable nature of the Wallabies attacking approach, they have to mix it up a little to through doubt into the mind of the opposition and create real opportunities not just fluky (but still well executed) moments of good fortune.
Fox
Roar Guru
Agreed Andrew but Ioane was not playing either - but yes the Argies are a real threat out wide very classy and quick back three - they will trouble Australia for sure next week.
Gishan De Soyza
Roar Pro
I think with current potential the backline leading to the 2023 WC cup will look something like this. But all depends on who takes over from Cheika. I could be wrong though. 9. J. Powell / Gordon 10. H. Stewart 11. J. Maddocks 12. S. Kervi 13. R. Hodge 14. I. Perrese 15. T. Banks