It was one of the most enduring images of the rugby year, Pieter-Steph du Toit shedding a tear as he embraced his South African teammates at full-time in Wellington in September.
Even for those that aren’t Springboks fans, it was hard not to feel a bit of a buzz as the 120kg flanker – big and brutal – got emotional following their 36-34 upset win over the All Blacks.
The Boks had lost to the Wallabies in Brisbane the week before and had been humbled by Argentina in Mendoza a few weeks earlier. They hadn’t won in New Zealand in nine years.
Du Toit was part of the squad that was humiliated 57-0 by the All Blacks the previous year at North Harbour Stadium in Auckland, so given the emphatic turnaround it’s easy to understand the South Africans’ elation at the final whistle.
Pieter-Steph du Toit’s effort for the Springboks against the All Blacks was immense. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
For the Springboks, this was their “line in the sand” performance. Sick of being beaten – and sometimes flogged – by the Kiwis, they rolled up their sleeves and put in a pride-packed effort that produced a memorable triumph. It was a result that comprehensively defied their ranking of world No.7.
The reason for reflecting on this is because Wallabies fans, who witnessed their side this year pretty much going from bad to worse, never got that Test match display that demonstrated they were sick of being bashed around and it was time to make a statement.
That’s not to say the effort wasn’t there, but surely if the Wallabies players have just an inkling of how they’re perceived by expectant fans, they can discover the solidarity to come together and blitz an opposition team.
Probably the most enthralling performance was against Argentina in their Rugby Championship clash in Salta, edging out the Pumas 45-34.
As captivating as it was, the huge second-half comeback came after their defence was exposed as horribly brittle in an opening 40 minutes in which they trailed 31-7. They responded when Michael Cheika gave them a memorable spray in the sheds at halftime
The Wallabies’ first-Test win over Ireland was far from convincing, needing 10 points in the last ten minutes to overpower a side with Jonny Sexton starting on the bench.
A narrow victory over South Africa in Brisbane showed grit, and their only other 2018 win was a bumbling 26-7 victory over Italy in Padova.
Of the rest of the Tests this year, admittedly against the globe’s best sides, there simply wasn’t a well-controlled and ruthless display. Even as the lineout flopped and the attack continued to struggle, there were few bursts of inspiration and resolve.
The All Blacks juggernaut rolled on. England were out of sorts in a June series loss to England, but flexed their muscle in November.
Ireland were top-class all year. Argentina knocked over the Wallabies and Springboks. Wales proved formidable. Scotland are consistently a tough team who can match it with any of the top-five sides. But for the Wallabies, there was little to be optimistic about.
The Wallabies offered hope in 2017, turning up the physicality in a Bledisloe Cup win over the All Blacks, albeit in a dead-rubber game three.
That year was often deflating too, but that victory in Brisbane at least gave some hope that the tide was turning. Lukhan Tui and Jack Dempsey were new faces that stood up to the All Blacks’ powerful pack that night. Wallabies rugby fans were this year pleading for a shot of that aggression – but it never came.
At the Cake Tin this year, the Boks had to make 100 more tackles than the All Blacks. They dug in and ground out the win. They were there to make a statement. And following that win they grew in confidence and had a strong finish to the year.
In his first year as Boks coach, Rassie Erasmus was able to get his team organised and well-drilled, but more importantly, play with a ferocity that’s needed at Test level to have a slither of a hope of knocking over the All Blacks, Ireland and England.
Cheika, on the other hand, couldn’t find a way to motivate the Wallabies when they needed to conjure up that emotion-filled ‘line in the sand’ performance, aside from that impressive second half in Salta.
Michael Cheika’s got to go. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
And so sadly for Wallabies fans, the only reason for optimism comes down to December, when there’s no Test match rugby played.
Rugby Australia CEO Raelene Castle and Cheika will meet next week, and if there’s no resolve from RA to make urgent coaching changes given the prolonged stretch of mediocrity, then the Wallabies have hit a dead end.
Nate
Guest
1 Kepu 2 Uelese 3 A. Alaalatoa 4 Skelton 5 Coleman 6 Fardy 7 Pocock 8 Higginbotham 9 Genia 10 Cooper (c) 11 Petaia 12 Kerevi 13 Kurindrani 14 Folau 15 DHP 16 Latu 50' 17 Sio 50' 18 Tupou 50' 19 Tui - Skelton 50' 20 Dempsey - Fardy 60' 21 Hooper - Pocock 60' 22 Gordon 65' 23 Beale - Kerevi or DHP 65'
Nate
Guest
1 Kepu 2 Uelese 3 A. Alaalatoa 4 Skelton 5 Coleman 6 Fardy 7 Pocock 8 Higginbotham 9 Genia 10 Cooper (c) 11 Petaia 12 Kerevi 13 Kurindrani 14 Folau 15 DHP 16 Latu 17 Sio 18 Tupou 19 Tui 20 Dempsey 21 Hooper 22 Gordon 23 Beale Squad 24 M. Alaalatoa 25 Arnold 26 Holloway 27 Valetini 28 Naisarani 29 JOC 30 AAC 31 Naivalu Injuries 32 TPN 33 Slipper 34 McMahon 35 White 36 Foley 37 Morahan 38 Hodge
jeznez
Roar Guru
With Fardy and Naisarani in the lineup then Skelton doesn't need to be world class, he just needs to be an option which I've heard he now is. And none of our other locks have his defensive mauling capability or dominance at the clean out. I'm shocked that Gibson has pursued this Le Roux Roets lock from SA - he and RA should be snapping up Skelton given his public comments that he'd like to return.
jeznez
Roar Guru
In that context I can't disagree. I thought you were using plodder in its more perjorative form. Thanks for clarifying.
Patto
Guest
You cannot teach speed, that's why i said plodder. He hasn't got any speed.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
I agree with most of that team, but personally I'm still yet to see anything from Skelton to make me think that he is worth picking. He will never be a world class line out exponent. My preferred 23 from all players would be as follows: 1. Kepu 2. BPA/Uelese 3. Alaalatoa 4. Arnold 5. Rodda 6. Fardy 7. Pocock 8. Naisarani or Dempsey 9. Genia 10. Quade 11. Morahan 12. Toomua 13. Kuridrani 14. Folau or Banks 15. O'Connor 16. TPN 17. Sio 18. Tupou 19. Coleman (Coleman starts if he is in-form) 20. Hooper 21. White 22. Kerevi 23. Folau or Banks
Bourkos
Roar Rookie
The coaching instructions that the team have been given has caused much confusion in the individual roles of the players. It is the awkward defensive strategies and positioning in attack that players have questioned and because of these doubts, further doubt has been growing into other areas. The breakdown for instance has been a source of turnover ball this year for the wallabies because Michael Hooper has been allowed to roam wide on attacking plays and Genia is unsure whether to commit to the ruck when forwards have not been available to clear out. Over complicating common widely tested and successful defensive and attacking plays, has made all players uncomfortable in their normal positions and it is this that has caused the significant decline in skills rather than ferocity. When you are clear of the game plan and know your role it is much easier to tap into aggressive tackling and running as you aren't in two minds about where you should be. Following the spray from Cheika in Argentina the performance grew for 40 minutes. This was down to players taking the game into their own hands and doing what feels natural, rather than following Larkham and grays downward spiral tactics. The players had their backs to the wall and played simple effective rugby. You don't need a spray every time you put on the national jersey to perform, just a game plan that makes sense.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Fair go - the bloke played Super Rugby as a 19 year old. He might not be the finished article quite yet? Will be very interested to see how he progresses this season.
Patto
Guest
Hamish Stewart ? The guy is a proven plodder. Mcintyre 2.0.
DcNz
Guest
Bold strong end to the year? They lost to England and Wales. I rate Rassie and the Boks but come on. Also you skate over the 0-3 pasting at the hands of the Darkness. Cheiks must go.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Skelton is another one, kept getting picked despite not being in the best shape while he was in Oz. Went to Saracens and get told what was expected in no uncertain terms. Now he's in shape, is able to jump in the lineout and surprise, surprise his work rate and effectiveness has improved.
Frank
Guest
Hoges SPOT ON! Something that surprisingly doesn't get more focus. I would love to see some commentary on this from someone who knows more about this? (Did RUPA play part in this?)
frank
Guest
Sadly I don't think RA going into administration is a bad outcome. Twiggy might then step in..
joeb
Roar Rookie
this place has become like Hotel California. Once you're logged in, you can't log out, it seemeth... :( (if only Henley had've alternated the drum beat at the end, would've been a true classic. as is, so monotonous and boring ending).
joeb
Roar Rookie
the way our boys are currently playing makes you wanna pull the plug, and deny 'em life support... we're sort of like England back in 2015 under Stuart Lancaster. it was obvious then when they lost to us in the RWC that they nevertheless had the talent to be true contenders. we're in the same boat. bringing back a refreshed and revitalised J O'Neill could well be the panacea required. (With heartfelt apologies to Raelene).
sittingbison
Roar Pro
Larkham
BigBird
Guest
Ruck Inspectors. Spot on StuM. Says it all when The $6million Seagull is given the captaincy and the critical job of swanning around the tramlines hoping for the speculator miracle ball and protecting blokes who can't or won't tackle.
Markie362
Guest
Ur right.look at akira ioane.hes been told to get more involved and hansen wont pick him until he has improved his work ons.
BigBird
Guest
And Ray Price. A rough nut from the Housing Commissions in Sydney's Dundas Valley. Some blokes act tough. Some blokes talk tough. Some blokes you just know are tough. Ray Price was in the last category.
Ex force fan
Guest
And the concentration of talent in four franchises did absolute wonders for the Wallabies..... Is there anyone ne that still thinks that this was a good idea? Was the pain really worth the few million saved and kicking Twiggy in the face?