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Review: Wallabies put a deposit in belief over Wales

Matt Rowley June 16, 2012 111

No GravatarThe Wallabies were 25-23 victors tonight in a tense match that saw them go 2-nil up in the three-Test series against Wales.

The game really couldn’t have started worse for Australia — losing the restart as per usual and then Barnes kicking out on the full in the first minute. From that error, Wales employed a front-of-lineout move. A number of phases later deep in Australian territory, George North picked and went to score on the 4th minute, with the conversion following.

From this inauspicious start, play was an arm-wrestle and it was noticeable that the realignment of Wallabies forward runners was not so quick this week.

The Wallabies gradually started to build control, however, and good phase play off slow ball 20 minutes in resulted in a penalty, 3-7. Wales infringing again at the breakdown in their own 22 at 30 minutes took it to 6-7.

Australia continued building phases, but it was slow going. As Rocky Elsom said in G&GR PlayUP hangout

Seems like the welsh have loaded up another defender around the ruck to stop Will. If we execute properly we should have space out wide

At last there was some air, when on the 39th minute following a Wallabies line-out on the Welsh 40 Barnes saw half a gap, dummied and went through the line past the Welsh captain, and sent Horne over. It was 13-7 at oranges.

By the end of this first half, Australia had 67% of possession and 66% territory, but Wales had played the referee Pollock well, slowing the breakdown and rushing in defence, making this a real arm-wrestle.

The two teams began the second half like they did the first — a misfire pass to nobody by Genia resulted in a try to Welsh 13 Jonathan Davies, making the score 13-14.

What ensued was a see-sawing of penalty goals that swapped the lead every five minutes.

Barnes slotted penalty on 47th minute: 16-14.

The first penalty for offside came at 50 minutes, but was against Palu. Halfpenny, who kicked flawlessly all night, made it 16-17.

With advantage following a snipe from Genia, Barnes chipped the Welsh line. It was regathered by Ioane and the Wallabies went to the line, to only come away with a penalty at the 57th minute. 19-17.

In the 59th minute Cooper Vuna‘s brain exploded live on national television and he was yellow carded for taking Halfpenny out in the air. Despite the northern hemisphere TV commentators demanding a red, Halfpenny miraculously recovered to slot the ensuing penalty. It was 19-20 with 20 to go.

The teams got even cagier from that point, the Wallabies eventually winning a kicking duel to earn a lineout in the Welsh half. Wales infringed yet again at the breakdown and it was 22-20 after 65 minutes.

Alexander then replaced Benn Robinson and was penalised instantly at the scrum. Halfpenny didn’t miss. 22-23 after 66 minutes.

At this pint it got tighter than a gnat’s chuff. With five minutes left, the Wallabies scrum earned a penalty and Barnes stepped up. He was limping though and missed the attempt, hobbling off the field for Mike Harris to take the 10 spot.

In the following exchanges it was all about territory until the Welsh infringed yet again at the breakdown, and the Wallabies had a lineout on the Welsh 40 with only seconds left. The men in gold set a driving maul as the donga sounded and it was all hands to the pump as the juggernaut drove forward. Cap’n Poey (who had given his opposite Warburton another lesson this week) had the ball under his Popeye bicep at the back and shunted forward until the Welsh dropped the maul. Pollock decided to play no advantage, and gave Australia a shot 15 metres in, on the Welsh 22.

Up stepped AUSSIE MIKE HARRIS. Would he miss?

Fark no. Game over.

While the lead see-sawed, clearly one team played the majority of the rugby today and probably rightly took the win. Like we’ve become used to with the Wallabies under Deans, it’s never a performance without gaping holes — of which some like re-starts have been endemic for so long. Without doubt though, this side played positively and with belief against the best the North has to offer.

Deposited.

 

AUSTRALIA 25 (Rob Horne try Berrick Barnes con Barnes 5, Michael Harris pens) bt WALES 23 (Jonathan Davies, George North tries Leigh Halfpenny 2 cons 3 pens) at Etihad Stadium. Referee: Chris Pollock. Crowd: 33,888.

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POSTED IN » Wales, Wallabies
About the author: Matt Rowley View all posts by
Matt started G&GR just before the 2007 Rugby World Cup and has been enslaved ever since. Follow him on twitter: @MattRowley

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Discussion »

  • Wolfie

    I’m thankful it wasn’t Giteau taking the kick

    • fetch

      im gonna chime in here in giteaus defence.Yeah I know, you are just having a dig but up till the point when his kicking style went awol and it can happen to the best, giteau single handely won us test matches on quite a number of occassions and at his peak was spoken about by international and domestic commentators as equal if not better than Dan Carter.I remember giteau wa sa rock with the boot and in directing play and always admired a pretty small dude punching above his weight and wearing the jersey with pride.Yeah he started to crab across feild and botched that scotland kick etc etc but I think we should respect him more for what he acheived for the country on forums like this one and not downvote him 52 times .Ill take Matt Giteau over present day anyday of the week…… was a true wallaby imho

      • Rebel Rouser

        Well said fetch. Giteau, at his prime was a great player and carried both the Force and Wallabies for a number of years. It’s disappointing to see fair weather fans having a dig at him now. I’m not saying he didn’t have his issues, but c’mon let’s lift the quality of our discussion here.

        • Wolfie

          It’s a joke guys, lighten up. I’m hardly a “fair weather” fan and can appreciate that Gits was a talent.

          However, equal to or better than Carter. That’s drawing a long bow

  • Gumby

    The thing that really impressed me was the fact that they had the composure that has been missing from Wallaby play since the great Eales pulled on his boots for the last time.

    Could it be that in Pocock we have found a similarly inspirational Captain. His calm words of assurance to Mike Harris before he took that kick were just the sort leadership that Eales displayed.

    To me that was the difference between the two teams today.

    • James

      Might be a bit early for the gushiness on Pocock as a captain. He seemed to shit the referee to start with in this match and against Scotland he pointed to the posts when he shouldve pointed at the sideline and vice versa. He’s a great player, but compare him to Eales already…. after a few runs as a fill in captain, 1 of which was a loss to the Scots.

      Thought Kepu was possibly our best out there.

      • bill

        Barnes and Pocock best afield, Barnes scored or set up most of the points, Pocock saved us points, sometimes you have to wonder whether the NH sides understand or value an openside flankers role. Moody was good, Warbuton is good, but they don’t seem to produce the George Smith’s, Pocock’s or Gill’s of this world.

        • Cutter

          Smith, Pocock or Gill? That is like saying Paris, Milan and Dubbo.

          Give him a chance to fulfill his promise.

    • D.

      Eales wouldn’t have gone up to his kicker and wished him luck. He would have taken the ball and kicked it himself. To compare Pocock to Eales is an insult at this point in time.

      • Old Weary

        I would say more unfair to Pocock than an insult – it was his second test cap and thought he did well.

        Although we got the kick in the end, looked like Poey was away from the back of that mall if they actually played advantage

      • http://BigFella Big Fella

        Come on D, don’t go rewriting history to boost Eales stocks even more, he doesn’t need that type of BS.
        Eales took ‘that kick’ ‘that day’ because his other 2 goal kickers had been replaced and had left the field. It was only for that reason did he take the kick and yes he nailed it.
        Pocock’s words to Harris were obviously calming and a credit to his leadership without a misleading comparison to Eales, a sporting legend only one rung below Bradman.

      • Force Fan

        @D what are you even doing here..your support is on hold remember!! Perhaps once you have decided you are going to stop being so negative about anyone who plays for the Wallabies you will regain your right to comment.

        • D.

          You’re paying taxes while Julia Gallah runs the country right? Same thing.

          I still think the selections could be better and this team was lucky to win (both tests). Play this side against SA or NZ and we’re toast. The praise for this team at the moment is coming from emotion, not the observation of a quality performance. It was a good arm wrestle to watch, but in the pursuit of being #1 in the world (which is the ARU’s goal), that performance won’t get you there. To be happy with that performance isn’t acceptable.

        • Force Fan

          @D you are a seriously deluded person. There’s no comparison to Julia Gillard and rugby union…..why would you care anyway. We are here paying taxes and you are where you are because you don’t seem to like Australia very much. That’s ok, your choice but please remember we are fans who prefer to think positively about what’s happening. Whether it’s emotional or not is neither here nor there….we are supporting Australia which for me can be intensely emotional, you on the other hand have “withdrawn your support”. We are not a fair weather supporter and for you to say you aren’t well have a read of your posts and that will tell you the story……and what are you happy about, I know, slagging the crap out of Aussie rugby, just what it needs more “informed” naysayers like you….

        • D.

          Unfortunately for you, my support is a little deeper than you or I seem to think. Disgusted with selections and match play, I made comments. If I was a fair weather supporter, I wouldn’t be here commenting now or after the first match.

          I believe I’m more of a realist than an emotional commentor on this forum. It’s amazing that everything I’ve said the last three weeks about how this team drastically needs to improve to be competitive in ‘The Rugby Championship’ is now being muttered elsewhere on this forum. Go give them shit Sir Forcefan.

          If anyone thinks that this Wallaby side won ANY of these games convincingly, they are delusional.

          God forbid someone has an opinion that doesn’t agree with your opinion that is based mostly on emotion.

          Have a good week. I’m looking forward to Super Rugby again.

    • Gumby

      Good grief. No-one can be compared to Eales? No-one can show the sort of leadership qualities that he displayed day after day; after he matured as a leader.

      Give it a rest! No-one is saying Pocock is as good a leader as Eales was. That determination will be made in years to come. But the way he led the team last Saturday and the self belief he helped in the team was, in my opinion at least, very similar to the type of leadership Eales displayed through the middle and latter part of his career.

  • Pedro

    Was anyone else surprised there were no offside calls against the Welsh? They had good line speed but it seemed a little preemptive at times.

    I also can’t work out how Wales got the ball back after we screwed their scrum. I seem to recall it happening against the Scots too.

    • James

      Yeah I think the scrum screw was 50-50. I’m OK with the call. As we were going backwards pretty quick on that one… just one side quicker than the other. Hard to blame the ref for not giving it to us.

    • MattyP

      Pedro, if it’s the same scrum that I’m thinking about late in the game, the ref said words to the effect that the scrum/front row collapsed before it went 90, then the back 5 kept going around. So it wasn’t really a go through the 90 reset but a collapsed scrum reset. Not sure I agree in seeing it on replay, but then again, the ref’s making the call in real time so fair enough.

  • rugby nerd

    Pocock was brilliant at the end. We’ll kick it long, we’lll win the lineout will go for a driving maul and leave it up to the Welsh to collapse and then we will kick the points.

    Great captaincy!

    He mad a similar decision against the Scots which he got criticised for but if you remember Simmons claimed a try from that play which if a camera had have picked it up we didn’t lose that match either.

    • MattyP

      The driving maul was probably the best piece of forward play from the Wallabies in 10 years. If the Tafs hadn’t pulled it down it looked like they were unstoppable.

  • Lee Enfield

    Hopefully the Wallabies have finally learnt to win. Last year we would have lost that game. The Forwards didn’t shirk from the hard work. Two forwards chased their guts out to try and stop that try from the spilt ball. It was also a forward who made that tackle on the Welsh 9 scooting down the sideline.

    I think this game was a good step forward for the Wallabies, and the lessons learnt and will to win will come in handy against the Kiwis.

    All though I must admit, I was yelling at the TV when AAC shaped to kick the ball away with a little over a minute to go.

  • Hooper for 12

    Critical win for Gold (and also Deans – I think he is aware the vultures are starting to circle…).

    Well played to Barnes although I still think he is a headless horseman at 10. With everyone fit, I will be surprised if he makes the final RC 30.

    Thought Sharpie was immense and Dave P.

    Hooper tried v hard to get involved and up the tempo , but with a couple of unfortunate knock- ons. I want to see him get a run at 12 outside Beale next week, maybe just for 15m in the second half.

  • Fulltime

    From Auckland, YEEEEEEEEES! Thank you Wallabies.

  • @ro_wine

    It feels like I’ve just had a great night out with an ex and it’s ended in a very happy ending. I think I love the wallabies again and am so excited about our date next Saturday afternoon.

  • skip

    I was (am) a bit drunk at the time, but did Deans’ brilliant use of the bench mean that Berrick (who played pretty well) get subbed AFTER he missed what might have been the crucial kick? Surely the time to bring on Harris to kick the winner was earlier.

    It was clear the guy was crook, our only kicker on the pitch and gets left there to potential loose the game and make the injury worse.

    • murph

      Noticed that too. Was Deans in the farking bar or something?

      • JimmyC

        Remember Barnes had not missed at that point. If he didn’t feel he could kick it he should have passed the ball to someone else. Can’t blame Deans for that.

    • D.

      You can’t bring on a sub to make a conversion. The kicker must be on the field when the penalty is awarded.

      • Skip

        That’s my point! He was hobbling & wincing for a few moments leading up to that. In a tight match a broken kicker is crucial. I’ve not had a chance to check if there was a chance to hook him but i was yelling at the box for sub soon as i saw him limping.

        You can understand my suspicions, given deans’ history with the bech players.

        • Blinky Bill of Bellingen

          I’m with you Skip. I thought it was clear to a blind man that Barnsey was spent and needed replacing pronto. I believe BB was indicating as much too. What’s Berrick got to do to get replaced? Smack himself in the nose to bleed or something?

        • D.

          Let’s give Dingo the benefit of the doubt on this one. Barnes is always wincing. If we went on wincing alone, he wouldn’t make the 30 man training squad. I love to hate the Sookface!!!!!!

      • Bignose

        Not strictly true, although the referee may decline to allow a substitution at that point (as is his/her prerogative). A substitute may take a penalty kick (to touch, as a tap, for goal, whatever) or a conversion as soon as they come onto the field.

    • jimmy

      Let’s all remember that Deans was, once again, was about 2 seconds away from having his head on the chopping block.

      Every time it looks like he will have to go he scrapes out a sneaky and close win.

      I know this will go against a lot of peoples views but I still don’t believe he is the man for the job.

      • D.

        100%

  • Chris

    A curate’s egg of a game. Good tough play from most of the forwards, though Simmons still seems a bit soft and enters too high. Best game from Kepu in some time – so strong in tight.
    Everyone loves Will, and there’s a lot to love, but he’s still crabbing too often and took some awful options, especially persisting on a blind that was just too narrow. Barne’s best for a while. Digby was great, AAC and Horne sound but somehow we need to get them ball in more space. Cooper V played himself out of the Wallabies with two knock-ons and a brain explosion. Pity.
    I don’t imagine Deans will play too much with the line-up and that would be the right call. We really need to fix our kick-off reception though. Too often handing over possession near our 22.
    Outplayed a gutsy Wales but in the end were a little lucky to win. Oh! Pocock managed Pollock brilliantly. Think the captain’s hat has changed for good.

  • easts

    I thought for the whole first-half the Welsh were offside by a mile – yet the first offside call made was against Digby who was clearly onside? Puzzling.

    • jimmy

      I screamed the exact same words at the TV on Saturday. It was a joke.

  • DCW

    Great to grab the series off Wales, as much as I would have loved the 3rd game to be the decider, it’s great to put away the Grand Slam and 6N champions in the first two games.

    Kepu was exceptional around the park, Vuna showed again why he is hardly a super rugby player, Horne was average again and scored a try that anyone could have scored.

    Would love to see Genia get a rest, or atleast only play a half next game so White can stretch his legs and show he is more than capable at international level…

    Hooper was poor for the chance he got…hopefully Gill gets his chance over the Rugby Championship..

    Harris…outstanding kick

    • muffy

      Yes great to win the series, but maybe its says a bit about me, but I am much happier with a 3 zip dicking of some NH upstarts than a decider!

  • Garry

    Wasn’t that game played at great pace? Even the one out stuff was exhausting. Cudos to both teams. Wales’ coach must be wondering why they didn’t hang onto the ball for the last two minutes. That is a mistake that we would have made in the past. But not tonight. Pocock’s strategy to go down the line into a rolling mall, was on par with Lynaghs decision in the RWC semi against the Irish. The way Pocock was in the ref’s ear all night, shows he is maturing into the role. His captaincy stocks went up in my eyes tonight.

  • Blinky Bill of Bellingen

    No doubt about it, Barnsey played very well tonight. Seems becoming a Dad made the difference. Now if only we can get Mrs. Barnsey to time their next child for an important Rugby test…then we are away. ;)
    Well done Wallabies and well done to the Barnes family on a job well done (on and off the field).

  • Knackers

    Is Ben Alexander Welsh?!

    As soon as he comes on our scrum is farked!!! What was wrong with Ben Robinson?? dangerous time to be messing with a front row that was dominating the Welsh…..

    • jimmy

      Yeah I agree but remember he also comes on when they make changes to the 2nd row and the back row so it may not be all his fault.

  • rabbit

    not a flash performance by any means but definitely showed character
    personally i thought berrick was very good possibly excellent as a 12 playing out of position at 10
    this was always going to be a hard game against a very good opponent and i thought our boys collectively did well
    was very happy for mike harris at the end as well

  • Alan

    excellent to get another win and wrap up the series against a very good welsh side. Even though we were outscored 2 tries to 1 i thought we played the better rugby and were pretty deserving of the victory.

    Really impressed by Pocock’s captaincy, he was constantly talking and encouraging his teammates while also in the ref’s ear, polite but assertive in getting his point across. The welsh used plenty of niggle to try upset him but it was all in vain as BamBam was again outstanding and my MOTM choice.

    • bill

      Well he did well, and will get better, a little bit argumentative or defensive when first penalised or chatted to for almost scrapping…mind you I would have cheered if he’d said that “if you aren’t going to protect my players I will” but that sort of tone wasn’t merited at that juncture, if ever, pretty sorry state if it was merited.

      In some respects I’d prefer Will as captain in terms of less potential for conflict with the refs, but Poey is improving, and we saw how much Gregan got up people’s noses, pretty thankless job at times.

  • bill

    Great test match from both sides. Excellent football.

  • Hills ton hog

    Dingo had no choice but to let sookface have shot (or another player who was on paddock when penalty awarded) – Harris couldn’t take shot.
    That said – we looked in control most of game but lacked consistent urgency throughout – play the entire 80 like its the last 10 and we will be hard to beat!!!

    • Skip

      For me, when it was clear Barnes was limping, in an obviously tight test, the clear decision was to get another kicker on. Much shouting at the tele in casa de skip, especially when his last kick was shanked. Bone decision from robbie.

      • Chris

        Barnes tried to come off 2 or so minutes earlier and was shooed back on. Watch the replay.

  • fetch

    Fark I luv the wallabies. .. .there … ..I said it…now pass me one of those and sit the f..k down…

    • D.

      We love you too Mrs Mccaw.

  • TerribleTowel

    gotta say, Pocock, apart from having a great match, showed he is also an excellent comedian! When Pollock questioned him for getting in the faces of welsh players who were in their turn in the faces of Wallabies, he came up with the classic “What? it’s not like I’m punching them or anything!” and also got caught by Pollock holding Lydiate down on the wrong side of the ruck while gleefully calling out “not rolling away sir! SIR! NOT ROLLING AWAY!” made me chuckle

  • roo

    I can’t explain the feeling of security I get when 2 dads is doing the full back thing. Easily the most solid and consistent wallaby on the park, no matter where he gets positioned.

    • Garry

      Roo,

      2Dads the best in all positions. Is that because he gets placed in a different one each week?

  • Johnny-boy

    Wales are breathtakingly inept.

    • Scotty in Devon

      I disagree, I thought they played like the 6N Champs and Grand Slammers they are, with great heart and commitment. They also outscored us 2 to 1. In the end it wasn’t quite enough, but there is not that much between them and the 3N teams. Its still there though. England and Ireland showed that as well.

      They are clearly the most complete team in the NH at the moment.

      • johnny-boy

        Scott their defence had some merit but they couldn’t string a backline movement together if they tried. Bumbling incompetent kindergarten stuff. Luckily they provide litle or no threat. And no wonder Warburton was scathing of Priestland throwing the game. When you think of some of the fabulous backs Wales have had over the years, it’s like the welsh backs have been castrated and de programmed to avoid any initiative. I can see why but more later.

  • Canuck

    not sure why all the hype regarding North….massive unit and a good try at the start but painfully average for the rest of the game. Same at the the WC. Would rather have one Digby on the pitch versus two North’s. Harsh…?

  • Robson

    Dean’s selections nearly came back to bite him (and the Wallabies) on the arse.

    Vuna, a liability and therefore will probably play again next week and Alexander who can’t scrum to save himself so he too will get a recall to the bench next week too.

    Despite great performances individually and collectively all round the park by the Wallabies Vuna and Alexander came preilously close to gifting the game to the Welsh all on their own.

    • murph

      It also went to pieces when Simmins went off because we didn’t have two specialist locks in the scrum!

  • Gordo of Brisbane

    My Mrs and I were nearly the only two Wallaby supporters in the whole crowd watching the match at Pig N Whistle in down town Brisbane. Pathetic support for Australia pride I must say. We however cheered louder than all the useless anti-Australia gnats that congregate in this fair city. Could someone please tell me where we can go next time to join loyal and proud Australians to watch it live on the bigscreen in Brisbane. Cheers. Well done Men of Gold!!

    • Blinky Bill of Bellingen

      Well Gordo……..there’s this little place I know just South of Coffs Harbour. ;)

    • Ben

      Pig and Whistle in Indooroopilly the last two times I went had really good Aussie support. Try there next week?

    • murph

      The Pig is a British theme pub – prolly had something to do with it…

    • redbull

      Grand Central was always my favourite. If you’ve got your RMs on you might go up to Petrie Terrace somewhere.

  • Gallagher

    Did anyone notice our scrums actually started going backwards when Moore came on for TPN, well before Alexander came on? Not sure if Wales made a replacement around the same time?

    Next game replacements…

    Morahan/Shipperley – Vuna (too flaky)
    A Faingaa – Horne (very uninspiring)
    S Faingaa – TPN (rest the monster!)
    Pyle/Timani – Simmons (to the bench)
    Palmer – Alexander (yes please!)

    Wales played very well, such a great team, far cry from the days when they played like the English and never used their backs!

    • mark conley

      Interesting how everyone sees differently. I agree with all except Horne, thought he was solid, and i don’t mean his finishing off of the try, all-round good game.

      • Drop kick

        I thought played well, great finish for the try obviously, but he made some game saving tackles towards the end of the match.

        • Drop kick

          Horne that is

    • Garry

      With the silverware safely in the cupboard, next week surely must be time to work on our depth by subbing in the fringe players. Would there ever be a better op?

      I know Deans likes to claim responsibility for unearthing new talent, so let’s see him back that up next week.

      I, and a few other WB supporters I’d suspect, would like to see it. But I won’t put any hard earned on it.

      • ozrugbynut

        No way. Its time we treated a test as a test. You earn your stripes at S15 or off the bench due to injury before making the wallabies run on side.

        It’s a utopian view i know, but i can dream..

        • Garry

          And in a short time we be playing the Saffers and NZ, players will be dropping out with injuries and we’ll be handed our arses again, and be howling at the moon about the lack of quality of back-up players.

          “Oh we’ll be champions when X & Y are fit again”.

          Sound familiar?

          Stop dreaming. Wake up and remember the last 4 years.

  • mark conley

    Where can i watch a replay, it’s not up on youtube yet is it? thanks

    • Skip

      There are guys that post full matches. If you dig about, it should be there.

  • robbo

    Kepu man of the match. Two try saving tackles within 30 seconds, one on each wing at about 38 mins the stand outs from an all round scumming and tackling performance. I am sorry to say it, but Vuna is out of his depth at this level. Simmons has taken over Higgenbothom’s role as the team seagull – mind you someone had to cover for Digby’s constant absences from his wing. “Looking for work” is one thing but securing the defense on the wing is main thing.

    • Chris

      @Robbo. With you all the way, except about Digby. Have a closer look at his defensive positioning. There is a risk he might get caught on a piece of broken play, but mostly he’s in the right spot in defence. Doesn’t miss too often either! In attack he provides an X-factor, running testing lines at pace, especially against the big man, has brought about many tries. He had a strong game last night, but for sure Keps was MoM. 80 minutes of pure slog and two brilliant tackles.
      I think Deans needs to bring Palmer back at Alexander’s expense. We can’t afford his lack of scrummaging expertise at this level.
      Poor ol’ Vuna has blown his chance. Give him another year or two in SR and maybe he’ll make it.
      All-in-all a win full of character that we could easily have lost.

      • MrMouse

        Too right. Also, Happy Birthday @Chris! :)

      • Garry

        I feel we are not giving Diggers the best opportunity to show his wares in attack. He is prowling around the back of the ruck ready to pounce, but the plan seems to be to just give it to him and let him charge through the ruck.

        Surely we can be more constructive and work him into a better position (rather than risk him smashing into some old piggy who’d relish the chance). Mano-e-mano he’ll beat just about anyone, so why not put him in to some space?

        At times our attack strategies are very one dimensional.

      • murph

        If Palmer comes in he has to start, surely

    • The Other Dave

      Hasn’t Kepu’s scrummaging improved? He had the Welsh loosie (?Jenkins) in all sorts of strife, especially in the second half. He kept good, low body height, won a very good penalty (and didn’t the Welsh coaching staff look pissed!), and if it wasn’t for a couple of early engagements, could have won some more.

      Seeing the Welsh scrum coach up in arms was satisfying. I’m sick and tired of NH teams coming down and expecting the scrum penalties de rigeur with some notion of inherent dominance. As much as I generally like the Taffs, they can stick that somewhere and smoke it. Ditto for last night’s rolling maul! We out NHed them, and it was a beautiful thing.

      The real scrum test will come against the blacks, boks and argies, I hope we’re up for it.

      • murph

        Kepu has definitely played well. Palmer is not a bench prop so I just can’t see him fitting in. Slipper or Holmes should warm the bench

  • Fatflanker

    What a joy to win a close one for a change. Bit odd the ref not playing advantage on that last play with Pokemeister on the burst. Scrum reffing, especially the engagement, was farcical but the Welsh certainly took the honours. Please Dingo could you give Palmer with some game time next week?

    • mark conley

      Fatflanker, would you elaborate on the reasons why the Welsh were superior. I thought Jenkins, a favourite of mine, outsmarted Kepu a few times in this and the last test.
      But i’ve been called for ‘bitching’ by the queen of ‘bitches’ on another forum regarding the Jenkins penalty. Did Kepu’s bind or lack of precede or follow Jenkins dropping his shoulders? thanks, mark

      • Fatflanker

        Sure. Firstly, don’t get me wrong…when I say Wales took the honours, I wasn’t saying they were obviously the superior scrum as such. Last week we saw a pretty commendable effort from the Wallaby pack in what I thought was a fairly contested scrum battle. The Welsh probably went into the first game confident they would be driving Oz off the ball so they would have come away a bit dissappointed. This week, (surprise, surprise), the front row starts collapsing on engagement. I would like to see Palmer given a go to see how he deals with this tactic because with a BIL tour next year we are going to be in a world of hurt scrum-time if we can’t stay on our feet.

        To his credit Pollard eventualy came around the scrum to see what was going on and fairly awarded Oz the next penalty, (did you see the righteous fury on the faces of the Welsh bench and coaching staff – priceless).

        I also went away thinking Pollard was a bit one-sided in hitting Oz for early engagements but I stand to be corrected.

        • mark conley

          Thanks Fatflanker and murph

      • murph

        Jenkins’s elbow was pointing to the ground. That’s usually, but not always, an indicator of a poor bind or attempt to pull the opposite prop downward.

        Of course, it’s merely an indicator but that’s what refs look for.

    • Rebel Rouser

      Yes, I thought the lack of advantage play was quite odd too. Potentially crucial. Pocock was through and could have sealed the deal with a try. Luckily, it didn’t matter but I’m surprised it hasn’t been discussed more.

      • Ben

        The lack of advantage was a little puzzling, but I think it’s a mistake to say Pocock was through. He was in the process of beating one tackler (Priestland, I think) when the whistle was blown.

        Sam Warburton and Ashley Beck were within a metre either side of Pocock but stopped as soon as they heard the whistle. Alex Cuthbert was also between Pocock and the try line, but when he hears the whistle he throws his hands in the air and strops towards the sideline.

        Realistically, Pollock had no reason to believe any strong advantage was going to accrue.

        • jimmy

          Rebel, I thought the same thing on Saturday until I watched the replay and Ben is correct, at least one player was within tackling distance and stopped once the whistle went.

          I do agree that an advantage should have been played though.

  • mattyinred

    Okay I am going to say one thing – my God no mention of Higgers and the backrow other than a general discussion of some of Pocock’s decision around captain – does that mean our backrow is now considered relatively balanced?

    Other than that great game – presently watching the Irish/blacks game and gotta love the spectacles the new Super Rugby format is allowing us, proper tours with multiple games – keen to see the frogs get shirted by the argies as well.

    • redbull

      Don’t start me on the Paddy Kiwi game. If there are any Kiwi trolls reading here. Your Richie McCaw is absolute filth. Two knees in the back on Gordon D’arcy, not even looking at the ball. When the going gets tough, the blacks get dirty.

      • jimmy

        Totally agree.

        McCaw launched himself, knees first into a player 6 metres from the ball.

        I’LL BET YOU HE DOESN’T GET CITED!!!

        Any other player would have got 5 weeks for that – it’s a joke.

      • Patrick

        Exactly like he did in the RWC final to Morgan Parra (imho) – in the head! – who had to go off as a result.

        ‘Pure bad luck’ according to kiwis, but doesn’t stop them bleating about Rougerie.

  • Taffia

    Aussies deserved the win. Wales should have shut it out but I think the maul just fell over. it’s not the oppositions job to keep you on your feet. Seconds before the whistle the ref called an Aussie back from binding in front of the ball carrier. Then the maul sort of fell…what’s to stop a side from falling over to get the whistle. Aussie should have been down to 14 for the duration after the Halfpenny take down. Although Lydiate was lucky not to get a yellow clearing out Pocock. Professional rugby is all about cheating the best and not getting caught. Hats off to you.
    The words Sour and grapes sprng to mind

    • Chris

      Lydiate aimed his shoulder (no arms) at Pocock’s head at full speed. Pure filth and I hope the review committee outs him for a lengthy spell. You could kill someone.
      Vuna’s dangerous tackle was pure ineptitude but he will still get the standard two matches, but much less dangerous than Lydiate.

      • Taffia

        I don’t disagree it was nasty but I’ve seen worse . Dan is not a dirty player. He was over vigorous to say the least but he’s not the type to deliberately go out to injure somebody in that way. AB’s and Bocks are the worst culprits for this. Although i remember a welsh prop having his jaw broken by a rabid aussie. Its a tough game and heat of battle things happen . I’ll look at again but i thought it was shoulder rather than head. Pocock definatly feeling it in his shoulder. Has he been cited? I know your chap has been. Halfpenny could have suffered an horrendous injury

        • Chris

          I agree Taffia that there’s been worse, and perpetrated by players from all countries at different times. I saw Lydiate lining him up from about 4-5 metres, he was pinned in with is head up. If he hit the shoulder it was because Pocock moved enough or he missed.
          If it was an Aussie on a Taffy I would feel just the same. No idea if he’s been cited. Should be cited and McCaw too I believe, although I didn’t see the game, but I know the form.
          When the Kiwis are in a tight one they do everything possible to intimidate, same with the Saffies.
          No matter what, we’ve had two genuine tests that could have gone either way. Just ask the players!

    • Lee Enfield

      The yelllow card and subsequent suspension is more than fair for Vuna. There was no malice in his tackle, it wasn’t intentional, it was just a player who got himself into a bind by not having situational awareness.

    • jimmy

      The Vuna thing was just plain stupidity. Cooper Vuna had no idea what to do and he ended up in a dangerous position. Agree he should have been given 10, correct decision. He will probably also get some weeks which would be consistent. The shoulder charge on Pocock also should have been 10 and maybe a week off but no more.

      I’ve mentioned it before – I really want to see what McCaw gets for his filthy bit of play off the ball.

      My money is on nothing – he has been escaping suspension and penalty for years and it’s a farce. All these Kiwis constantly claiming he doesn’t cheat and having a go at Quade for daring to retaliate when McCaw puts on a cheap shot…..well have a look at those flying knees New Zealand – is that “fair play” in NZ. Hypocrites

    • Luke

      If you watch the replay of the match you will see that Richard Hibbard purposely fell under the maul and subsequently caused the collapse.

  • suckerforred

    “At this pint it got tighter than a gnats chuff.”

    Does this demonstrate what you were doing at this p o i n t Gagger?

  • Damo

    A good win but unfortunately papers over what is still an unproductive, unimaginative midfield- players and strategy are both at fault. Plenty of decent possession in the right part of the field should be turning into tries. I would love to see at least an attempt at sleight of hand at 10 and 12 creating some space for the powerful runners we have out wide. That stuff is not in the kit at the the moment. It’s certainly not going to happen with our current 12 selection.

    • Lee Enfield

      Considering our best creative players are out (Cooper, O’Connor, Beale), the Wallabies are going along ok. Two wins from Two is a great start, and when the above 3 come back, the attacking play will return with them.

  • Suzy Poison

    Great game, with the lead changing hands many times. However, the end result wasn’t as a result of any great or enterprising play by the Wallabies. The fact is Australia had two thirds of the possession by could only score one try. While Wales scored two with limited possession they had. Wales lost that game, rather than Australian won it. Priestland made a crucial error that cost his side the game, when he kicked the ball up field with two minutes to go. Still the Wallabies showed true grit, and pride in the jersey to win a game, they shouldn’t have.

    • Robson

      Well it wouldn’t be rugby justice to lose after you have played with true grit and pride in the jersey.

      But I know it does happen.

      All the same and despite only scoring one try (which was a line breaking gem), I do think the Wallabies deserved to win.

    • mark conley

      Ahh, one of those two would hardly be counted, it was Ioane changing his line, an aus error rather than great Welsh play methinks

    • Gumby

      Don’t agree Suzy. The Wallabies had the territory, won the breakdown, dominated the lineout, played the last 10 minutes with 14 men (because of an inexplicable brain fade by a green horn), looked more likely in attack, spent much longer in the Wales quarter than defending their own, whilst the scoreboard indicates Wales probably played above themselves.

      Their first try was a gem; a blitzkrieg from the opening whistle. After that they didn’t look like scoring with their second try being a very well taken opportunists try.

      In just about any KPI you look at the Wallabies comfortably outpointed the Welsh. The Wallabies deserved the win sure enough but they didn’t deserve to be down on the scoreboard at 80 minutes. However being so made it into an epic test match. That’s the nature of Rugby.

  • Suzy Poison

    That’s my impression. I thought Wales were the better team. But I will concede that with two thirds possession, Australia made a fair case to win, and it really could have gone either way. I consider myself neutral here. I am Saffa, and as much as I like to see Australia lose, against the Boks (hasn’t happened for a while) I have to support the South here. I couldn’t bear the gloating of the Welsh, if Wales came down under and won. We would never hear the end of it. I am bracing myself for the English papers, after this weekend. It could get ugly. That said, I thought Wales and Ireland were genuinely unlucky. I do think it’s good for the global game, but it’s never enjoyable losing. Same for this weekend, I am going to game with all my Aussie mates, and will be hoping the Wallabies get up, however I not 100% convinced with Robbie Deans as a coach. Under his coaching, Australia have tended to take one step forward only to take two steps back. I think the All Blacks will unleash hell, and so will Wales, who really believe they can win. My predictions are: Wales by 2, All Blacks by 15, England by 5. I think my team the Boks, will also lose, as they have a long way to go.

    • Gumby

      Have faith Suzy; I think the Boks will maintain their superiority over the Poms.

      I will defend Deans though because I think people especially here in Oz just can’t get over him being a Kiwi. When I look back to the wretched state the Wallabies were in after the 2007 RWC after their packs utter capitulation to England and I reflect on the bumbling and ineptitude of the latter half of the Eddie Jones era the Wallabies are now streets ahead.

      We are now fairly the no2 ranked team and there is much improvement to come. The fact that we probably only have one Australian who could reasonably claim he could make a fist of coaching the Wallabies tells me that most of the anti Deans sentiment is based around his nationality not his results.

      He has more victories than any other Wallaby Coach except Bob Dwyer. I think he will have the last laugh in the years ahead.

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