I’m watching a series on Stan right now called A Million Little Things and that was the power to the Wallabies’ astonishing win over England in Perth.
It wasn’t one play that ended the Eddie Jones’ hoodoo but a whole lot of little things when the Test could have gone pear-shaped many times.
When you watch a Test, you want to see an ensemble cast in gold all contributing at various moments and that’s pretty much what the Wallabies needed to win 30-28.
INSTANT REACTION: The Roar experts Brett McKay, Harry Jones and Jim Tucker dissect a famous victory for Australia in a special edition of the podcast
The Petaia try was a beauty but never forget it was ignited by Marika Koroibete leaping to grab the kick-off.
England led 14-9 at the hour mark at that point and the tourists could easily have surged to win by 15 rather than it emphatically being the other way around.
Classy Andrew Kellaway’s straightening little run and pass to put Petaia over.
Skipper Michael Hooper winning a clutch turnover in desperate defence. Samu Kerevi’s appetite to truck the ball up direct and strong all night. Late inclusion Noah Lolesio saving his best for the final 20 minutes.
Flanker Rob Leota and his mullet making big ball-carries before half-time. Folau Fainga’a making a jolting tackle on his tryline. That try-saving Koroibete tackle. Hooker Dave Porecki nailing lineout throws without fuss. The list goes on.
England won the physical battle early but the Wallabies roared back and weren’t going to be bullied. This is the character that fans want the Wallabies to stand for.
You could pick out a few different heroes. I’ll settle for Kellaway, Kerevi and Koroibete and Cadeyrn.
Andrew Kellaway thought Test footy had passed him by. He’s been a revelation.
Andrew Kellaway (Photo by Getty Images)
He was at it again in Perth. He was taking high balls and those first valuable strides forward so his cavalry could arrive to support him. He’s a very good footballer.
This in the fullback role when it was thrust upon him by Tom Banks’ ugly broken arm.
The difference made to the team’s performance by revising the rules to allow Kerevi and Koroibete to come in from their Japanese clubs is huge. Adapting those rules was smart and essential.
This was a major step up for lock Cadeyrn Neville and he performed admirably at the most intense level for the full 80 minutes. Big credit.
He made the wider training squads of previous Wallabies coaches Robbie Deans, Ewen McKenzie and Michael Cheika but never scored a Test. No hidden story here. He wasn’t good enough. Lacking aggression, body height, inconsistency and skills needing polish .. all were valid crosses against his name in the past. He’s worked, improved, performed for the Brumbies and totally validated his call-up.
Turning point Tests are a thing. Coaches are not just selling real change to their players. Every diehard and peripheral fan needs to be convinced of real progress for the Wallabies because mirages have been so regular.
What unfolded at Perth’s Optus Stadium on Saturday night has given Australian rugby a seismic jolt of good vibrations.
Sure, it’s not beating the All Blacks but toppling England and Eddie Jones when the odds are so against you is pretty damn close.
It’s hard to devise a script with more shades of potential disaster than what was thrown at the Wallabies.
OK. You’re going to lose your playmaker (Quade Cooper) in the warm-ups. Your fullback (Banks) will break his arm just past the 20-minute mark. You’ll be down your front-row rock at tighthead (Allan Alaalatoa) with a head knock. Your top lineout target (Darcy Swain) will be sent-off for a dumb head butt.
Darcy Swain of the Wallabies receives a red card. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
And you’ll have to play with 14 men for more than half the game.
Not since the Wallabies went down to 13 men against Wales at the 2015 Rugby World Cup have they found a way to win like they did in Perth.
Yep. The ill discipline has to be corrected and Cooper is needed to add more dimensions to the attack but this is a high to start a long Test season.
See, I went a whole story without saying it’s a great stepping stone to next year’s Rugby World Cup in France.
Forget the World Cup. This is a series, a hardcore battle, in its own right, not a warm-up.
Best of all, we do it all again at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night. Can’t wait to see more wow from Henry Arundell. What a try touch to launch an England career.
Objective Observer
Roar Rookie
So there we go - I do not agree that his is or ever has been that good. With a RWC in 2023, I would be looking to find a 9 for the future. Rennie is just looking to win the next test -IMO.
numpty
Roar Rookie
Yes white should have started in this test. He is the best 9 Australia has. He is a senior player in a relatively young squad, a leader,has the best kicking, best passing, and best game management of all 9s and almost all players except Quade. Gordon and Tate probably have better foot speed, sniping game and maybe D but that's it. Its not just that he is the best 9, it's also that his skills bring the most to the team relative to what it needs in terms of balance.
Objective Observer
Roar Rookie
Nor you mine. I do not accept the premise of the question. The real question is should White have started in this test? Those that have followed White’s play for some time will know that back in 2019 his preferred approach to the box kick was the three steps back and to the right. Watching the warm up to the RWC games, he practiced this method. It was so predictable that he got picked off with a couple of charge downs. He then gradually changed to the more traditional style of box kick but remains very patchy in getting the length of kick right. He has a reluctance to pass off the deck, eating up time. He has never been a great player, is unlikely to get better and IMO we are better off moving on to find our next 9.
Olly
Roar Rookie
His physicality in contact goes under the radar. He is a strong and balances guy who takes a bit of stopping.
Olly
Roar Rookie
To me all the work happened inside JP with Ikitau and Kellaway. I would expect international wingers to score that. The problem is the numbers show Kellaway scores heaps of tries when on the wing but not at 15. I think this is the problem from the selection point of view but we have no other real 15 options in the squad. It will be interesting to see if DR does try to turn JP into a 15 or not this close to a RWC. I think thorns lack of helping will keep JP on the wing.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
All fair Brewster. The triple K threat was solid. And yes, not everyone here resonates with the idea but big runners need crafty enabling from the playmaker feeding them. That’s why they’re called play Makers, and not play followers. Sadly it looks as if we’ve lost our premier playmaker for the rest of the series. Interesting weeks ahead.
BrewsterBandit
Roar Rookie
Indeed he has. Such an excellent situation for the Wallabies. On another matter though. It’s interesting to see how highly both Noah and Kerevi have been rated. They both started out very shakily. Which I was expecting from Noah, but less so from Kerevi. Not having QC around really affected him. He seemed hesitant, at a time when he should have been putting his stamp on things and encouraging Noah. I think he actually got his cue from Koroibete who just never ever stops having a go. Koroibete’s winners attitude, really set the tone for Kerevi. While Noah struggled offensively, it was his defense that helped him gain confidence. So good seeing both Kerevi and Noah grow through the game. But for mine, I thought Koroibete and Kellaway were the best on ground.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
I like Hodge as a benchie too Brewster. But he has solid competition.
BrewsterBandit
Roar Rookie
Hopefully DR can find a spot for Hodge. I think he is your best back up inside centre (Paisami still needs to work on ball security, and Perise is still injured I think), covers 13 to 15 very well and also keeps things sturdy last time he played 10 (a victory over the ABs).
Dandaman
Roar Rookie
I did not say I was going to provide an alternate 23 so feel no obligation there. Selections have been an ongoing issue and a contributor to our poor performance over the last 3 years is how I would phrase the response (e.g. bring back beale, skelton et al in one of the worst spring tours in memory, ongoing selection of players who should be nowhere near a wallabies jersey such as swinton, wright, etc). They get the majority of the selections correct but there always seems to be some odd ones and they have a tendency to overlook form to pick project/incumbent players. The last decent coach we had IMO was Link insofar as he had the potential to take us to higher honours.
numpty
Roar Rookie
You didn't answer my questions.
Objective Observer
Roar Rookie
Do you really believe that “His hesitation was due to a lack of organisation/communication outside him I think given the late withdrawal of Quade.”? Honestly, as a professional rugby player who has played with the replacement 10 for years, that caused him hesitation. Dog ate my homework.
Glenn
Guest
OO you are an oxymoron. Objective you are not with your lack of consistently objective evidence.
Glenn
Guest
OO you are an oxymoron. Objective you are not especially with your lack of consistent objective evidence. :unhappy:
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
You owe me nothing Dman. But if you choose to come on here with unsubstantiated negatives regarding a carefully crafted construction of a World Cup squad, expect some push back. According to you, Rennie lacks the ‘right’ selections, but you are yet to offer your superior 23. I did not call you a troll. Negative Nellie has a ring to it though.
Dandaman
Roar Rookie
Of course what am I thinking. I owe all of you an in depth response given the detailed and knowledgeable analysis you have provided in your posts. And they say I am the troll....
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
We, and by me I mean most thinking observers, politely disagree you, Zulu. His last outing was a dominating performance in the European club final, the peak of NH domestic rugby, where he smashed a mostly Irish pack for 80 minutes.
Tony Hodges
Roar Rookie
Box kicking is a team effort. They nailed a bunch, especially in the second half. The timing was a little off in the first.
TRhing-me
Roar Rookie
Disagree. I would far sooner have Tate at half-back than White. More enterprising and energetic with the breaks. And quick passing using our backs. We're missing a Gregan, or a Catchpole or a Hipwell or a Farr-Jones. Someone who can inspire through their deeds. Does anyone know if Des Connor would be available? Wheel-chair provided.
soapit
Roar Guru
Is that all it was? Well there you go