It was the 71st minute when the television camera caught coach Michael Cheika lifting his hands to cover his face as yet another golden chance for the Wallabies to score was butchered by dumb rugby.
He was hurting big time at 20-19 in the Pumas’ favour – and with very good reason.
Nine minutes later the pain was far worse.
The score was 23-19 in favour of the Pumas right on full time when Israel Folau, of all people, cut back inside only to be heavily tackled by giant Puma lock Tomas Lavanini.
Folau coughed up possession just short of the try-line with Bernard Foley unmarked outside him.
Foley would have strolled over for the victory.
That was so unlike Folau, one of the very best team-men – he is always looking for support when that player is in a better position.
Last night he played dumb rugby, and I never thought I would ever say that.
If Folau was in the identical position 100 times, he would have passed to Foley for the win 99 times.
But that wasn’t an isolated incident as the Wallabies bombed at least five tries through sheer stupidity.
Yet they put together three magnificent tries to the Pumas’ two, and both of Argentina’s came from Wallaby mistakes.
The first Wallaby try by Will Genia went through seven Wallaby hands towards Folau’s wing, with the half-back finishing the move on the inside.
It was brilliant and had the paltry crowd of 16,019 on their feet.
The second was Folau’s personal brilliance beating five defenders on the left wing despite being the right winger.
And the third was scored by Dane Haylett-Petty ending a sweeping Wallaby backline move that was positive from the moment the ball left Genia’s hands.
Which begs the question: how can the Wallabies be so brilliant, and within minutes be so bloody dreadful?
It’s all about basics.
When the Wallabies play brilliantly they get the basics right – pass, catch, support, tackle, and retain possession.
It’s when they turn over possession 20 times in all-out attack and miss 23 tackles that they lose.
Last night’s loss, the first to Argentina on Australian soil in 35 years, was simply because the Wallabies ignored basics.
In their previous two Rugby Championship games, the Boks ignored basics and were beaten by both the Pumas and the Wallabies.
Last night the Boks went back to basics at Wellington to create one almighty boil-over by beating the All Blacks 36-34.
And they were the far better team on the night, thoroughly deserving their success.
The Wallabies lost because they deserved it, but you can bet your house on it, Cheika will be the one pilloried, not the players.
That’s totally unfair, but criticism of the Wallabies is totally fair.
Just about every Wallaby did something that was costly, so it became infectious.
Yet the scrum was good pitted against one of the best packs in world rugby, and the Wallabies only lost two lineouts, but both at critical stages with the men-in-gold sniffing the white line.
One thing for sure, the loss had nothing to do with Israel Folau on the wing, Dane Haylett-Petty at fullback, Kurtley Beale at fly-half and Matt Toomua at inside centre – all out of position.
But Michael Cheika has two more Rugby Championship games against the Boks and Pumas, both away, to complete the tournament.
In his current form, it’s anyone’s guess which way he’ll go at the selection table.
Baz
Guest
I think Cheika needs to be more inclusive of sporting specialists in general. Sheens is an excellent skills coach which they do need but I think they also need a contemporary forwards coach like Brad Thorn to get the forwards working.
wade fite
Guest
Agree John B. Sorry for the late reply...I was flying home from OS at the time of your post. Rob Egerton...I remember well the try that guaranteed his spot in that world cup team (embarrassingly can't remember whether it was against England or NZ) lucky bounce, but would not have scored if he hadn't busted a gut chasing the kick. As a rusted-on Q'lander, I add Peter Grigg to that list...players I would love to have in my team, if I were coach.
Ryan
Roar Rookie
Full house ;-)
HenryHoneyBalls
Roar Rookie
He is really, really gifted but as an Ireland fan I'm not that impressed by him. He has never in 5 or 6 tests scored a try against us and at times looks disinterested. Secondly in the first rugby championship test when he picked up an ankle injury he just hobbled off the pitch and down the tunnel before Cheika had a chance to sub him. The ABs subsequently scored down his channel. I don't think you would get many Ireland players that would just walk off the field like that. Never seen it happen before.
Ryan
Roar Rookie
Big Dog - it will never get old. Cop it and learn from the best.
Ryan
Roar Rookie
Taylorman - 100% agree. Even the turnover excuse that's bandied about vs All Blacks, the ball is turned over due to opposition defensive pressure. Australia won't turn as many over in training, because there is no world champion opposition pilfering, stealing and smashing you on defence bro! :D
Tutema
Roar Rookie
I think that Mario is working the most important part of the team which is the attitude. The Pumas still have a long way to go, but, now, they are walking in the right direction!!!!
Tutema
Roar Rookie
Too true
Tutema
Roar Rookie
Thanks for that Buk!!!
rebel
Roar Guru
Rubbish, re read the comments thread.
Redsfan1
Guest
No it's looking like the fan directed his tirade at Tui and his sister was there so heard it. That's the "abuse". She wasn't actually attacked.
Redsfan1
Guest
Actually it's looking more and more that the whole "abused sister" thing was an exaggeration by Cheika and co.
Neil Back
Roar Rookie
Hi Neutral I don't think even losses to both SA and the Pumas on the road would cost the Wallabies any more rankings places, such is the gap to France and Argentina currently, but it would bring the Pumas to pretty even ranking and put the Wallabies a long way off Scotland in sixth. To Cheika surviving, tbh I wouldn't be surprised to wake up this week to the news he's gone. But perversely wouldn't be at all surprised to see him stay put, even if he did lose those next two games on the road, unless he's pushed - I just don't get a sense that he thinks the position the Wallabies are in is particularly his fault, or that it would take much to fix them. Incredible though that is to most of us.
Lano
Roar Guru
As a seasoned Full Back he doesn't know the rules of a mark, and his kicking game is pathetic. Go figure.
Buk
Guest
Your written english scores about 99%, which is excellent given it is your second language. My written spanish would score about half that.
liquorbox_
Roar Rookie
I think that is a proven statistic
jcmasher
Roar Rookie
The thing is mate he’s not outstanding at all. His try last night was fantastic but one of the reasons it looked so good was because we’ve seen bugger all of that all season. I agree he is great in the air and when he’s got space to attack. However, he’s got far too many defensive liabilities, he can’t kick, he can’t tackle and he’s forever out of position. The thing that really grates me though is that he never improves. Not sure what he does all day but it certainly isn’t practice his weaknesses because they aren’t getting any better
Hearditallbefore
Guest
+1
Colvin Brown
Roar Guru
Being neutral in this match, although I would call the Wallabies my second team, I've afraid I've concluded that the head coach has done his best but he needs now to step down. It seems clear to me there is a cultural problem with the Wallabies and you can see it with the way Cheika behaves in the coaches box and you could see it when the bench players all seemed to follow his style of arms in the air constantly appealing to the referee. You can also see it when there's a rumble on the park and most of the team join in making things worse. Without creating a culture of better people make better Wallabies, I'm afraid it will be difficult to improve. Hence the need for new leadership. That way the focus can be reset to the team comes first, no grandstanding, proper consistent selection and developing modern game plans. Strangely enough I thought the Wallabies did OK last night. Most of the missed tackles appeared to come from giving the Argie runners too much space which in the end is down to coaching. The fact that Izzie didn't pass is that there is not a cultural clarity that the team comes first. The players are there. They just need to be first selected, then coached and finally properly led.
Big Dog
Guest
“...sister being abused and assaulted...”? Let’s pump our brakes here a little. Yes, the fan’s behaviour was off tap - I’m prepared to believe he was full of booze and made a goose of himself by yapping at Tui. Hell, I did the same thing to Bob Fulton in the League Grand Final of 1980 when my beloved Roosters (of whom Fulton was coach) were getting smashed by Ted Glossop’s Bulldogs; an embarrassing lapse of judgement for which I still feel ashamed. But abusing and assaulting a young child? Those are your words. I haven’t seen them in the media and he hasn’t been charged with anything like those very serious charges. Until it is reported to be otherwise, I’ll choose to believe that the little girl was accidentally shoved as the fan came forward to engage Tui. Let’s not try him on the rugby blogs without getting the full story.