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Wallabies v. Springboks – Quick Review – As it happened

Moses July 23, 2011 108

No GravatarWelcome to Sydney Olympic Stadium where in 30 minutes the Wallabies will take on the Springboks. The good news from a running rugby perspective is the deluge stopped this morning and the Sun came out this afternoon. The ground looks in much better condition than it was for the Samoa game last week.

Tonight we’ll be covering the game in several formats. Mr Timms will be running a live and interactive chat session on our live page, while I’ll be updating this blog post from the press every 5 minutes or so throughout the match.

In team news, Quade Cooper has recovered from the fever which prevented him attending the captains run yesterday meaning the teams to take the field are as named in our match preview.

Australia: 15. Kurtley Beale, 14. James O’Connor, 13. Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12. Pat McCabe, 11. Digby Ioane, 10. Quade Cooper, 9. Will Genia, 8. Ben McCalman, 7. David Pocock, 6. Rocky Elsom (c), 5. James Horwill, 4. Rob Simmons, 3. Ben Alexander, 2. Stephen Moore, 1. Sekope Kepu. Reserves: 16. Saia Faingaa, 17. Pek Cowan, 18. Nathan Sharpe, 19. Matt Hodgson, 20. Scott Higginbotham, 21. Nick Phipps, 22. Anthony Faingaa.

South Africa: 15. Gio Aplon, 14. Bjorn Basson, 13. Juan De Jongh, 12. Wynand Olivier, 11. Lwazi Mvovo, 10. Morne Steyn, 9. Ruan Pienaar, 8. Ashley Johnson, 7. Danie Rossouw, 6. Deon Stegmann, 5. Alistair Hargreaves, 4. Flip van der Merwe, 3. Werner Kruger, 2. John Smit (c), 1. Dean Greyling. Reserves: 16. Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17. CJ van der Linde, 18. Ryan Kankowski, 19. Jean Deysel, 20. Charl McLeod, 21. Adrian Jacobs, 22. Pat Lambie.

Referee: Chris Pollock (NZ)
Assistant Referees: Keith Brown (NZ), Vinny Munro (NZ)
Television Match Official: Matt Goddard (Aus)

First Half

Pre-Match

The players will be welcomed to the ground by juniors from Gordon and Hornsby. The Wallabies are wearing black arm-bands today to remember Halley Appleby. Early points to South Africa with the Soweto Gospel Choir easily out signing Peter Cousens and the Australian Girls choir.

First 5 minutes

Early on the Wallabies looked to spread and run the ball, however a few mistakes allowed the Springboks to regain possession and revive the midfield bomb tactic that was so popular in 2007. Early signs for the set piece were positive with both teams securing their own ball in both lineout and scrums. This period of play was played entirely in the Wallabies half.

5 to 10 minutes

Shortly after Deon Greyling went off for blood, a Wallabies turnover allowed Quade Cooper to sell a dummy and set up a length of the field try from the Wallabies 22 with great involvements from Kurtley Beale, James O’Connor, and eventually scored by Ben Alexander. James O’Connor converted, and from the restart Will Genia stepped a defender and put Digby Ioane into space. Digby stepped Gio Aplon to score the Wallabies 2nd try. O’Connor misses and after 10 minutes and 2 trips into South Africa’s half the score is 12-0.

10 to 15 minutes

This period saw some great individual moments of play by Wallabies, and ended with them winning a penalty in South Africa’s half for playing the ball on the ground.

15 to 20 minutes

Rocky opted for a lineout from the penalty and the Wallabies set up camp in the Springboks 22. Unfortunately after several attacking moves the ball was knocked on, allowing the Springboks a 5m defensive scrum. Following the scrum collapse Pollock told Kepu to square up, and Smit to stay high. The Wallabies won a Springbok lineout, however were penalised for a prop being offside. From this penalty the Springboks were into the Wallabies 22 when a huge tackle from Kepu dislodged the ball.

20 to 25 minutes

The highlight of this period was a great tackle by James O’Connor to bring down Ashley Johnson who was rampaging down the wing. Deon Greyling left the field again for blood, and the Wallabies won an attacking lineout on the Bokke’ 22.

25 to 30 minutes

Flip van der Merwe seemed to pick up an injury to his left wrist during this period, with no lock on the bench for the Springboks we could see Danie Roussouw move to the second row if Flip doesn’t recover. A long kick was fielded by Will Genia diving over the sideline, had he left it then the ball would have gone out, however the error gave the Springboks a throw into the lineout. Soon after the Springboks won a penalty for a Wallaby transgression at the breakdown, Morne converted, 12-3.

30 to 35 minutes

A free flowing period with both teams shifting the ball until Alistair Hargreaves entered an Australian ruck not from the side, but from the back. The Wallabies set up a lineout and a strong run by Kurtley was called back for a forward pass. At the resulting scrum the South Africans were penalised for illegal scrummaging, and Rocky opted to take the points. James O’Connor slotted it, 15-3 to the Wallabies.

35 to 40 minutes

The Springboks put on some good attacking moves and made good metres into the Wallabies 22 before coughing up the ball and the Wallabies counter was looking potent. Kurtley chipped and was then cleaned up by Gio Aplon’s arse, while the ball was regathered and put through more hands only to be knocked on by a James Horwill. The Bokke scrum was under all sorts of pressure so Pollock penalised Kepu for collapsing? The last move of the half saw the Springboks set up a rolling maul that made 15 metres before winning a penalty for collapsing. Morne converted, 15-6 at half time.

Second Half

40 to 45 minutes

From the restart the Wallabies looked to attack and were soon camped in the Boks’ 22. Will Genia was a constant threat around the fringes and Quade ran a great drifting line to throw a shocking pass that made O’Connor look like a hero as he somehow grabbed the ball and fell over the tryline. James then converted his own try making it 22-6.

45 to 50 minutes

The Wallabies won a penalty for having their own maul collapsed. Back into the Springboks 22 Quade set up hot stepping hooker Stephen Moore who ran the last 10 metres to score the bonus point try under the posts. JOC converts, 29-6.

50 to 55 minutes

From a defensive South African scrum the Wallabies won a full arm penalty for Werner Kruger collapsing. JOC converts, 32-6. The Boks found their turn to attack from the restart, running deep into Wallabies territory before a mistake popped the ball to Pat Macabe who started a counter attack. Adam Ashley-Cooper had two to beat for the line and sold a dummy to score in the corner. JOC converts, 39-6.
Substitutions: Ashley Johnson (Off)

55 to 60 minutes

The Springboks won a scrum on the Wallabies’ 5 metre line and quick work by former Bok captain Chillyboy Ralepelle saw him score South Africa’s first try after being on field for 30 seconds. Morne converts, 39-13.
Substitutions: Elsom (Higginbotham), Horwill (Sharpe), Moore (Fainga’a)
Smit (Ralepelle),

60 to 65 minutes

Substitutions: Adam Ashley-Cooper (Fainga’a), Genia (Phipps). Olivier (Jacobs)

65 to 70 minutes

The Wallabies stole two Springbok lineouts and seemed to break the line with every touch. Kurtley hurt his left ankle but played on, probably because there were no backs left on the bench.

70 to 75 minutes

Kurtley is subbed for Pek Cowan and Higginbotham moves into the wing. The Boks looked sure to score twice, the first one butchered by Bjorn Basson, and second by a massive tackle from Digby Ioane. The ball barely left the Wallabies 22 during this period of play, and penalties were taken as lineouts. A strong run from CJ van der Linde set up John Smit to score by placing the ball against the base of the post. Morne converts, 39-20.
Substitutions: Kurtley Beale (Pek Cowan)

75 to 80 minutes

A messy finish to the game with possession changing several times and the Wallabies almost scoring from the last play of the the match.

Final Score:
Wallabies 39 (Tries: Ben Alexander, Digby Ioane, James O’Connor, Stephen Moore, Adam Ashley-Cooper)
Springboks 20 (Tries: Chillyboy Ralepelle, John Smit)
Crowd: 52,788

TAGS »
POSTED IN » Rugby, South Africa, Wallabies
About the author: Moses View all posts by
Moses spends far too long on G&GR, dealing with the totality of the strength and conditioning, the medical, the rugby side of things, strategy, the review, preview of the internet itself and also the individuals. A Waratahs apologist and rib-eye steak enthusiast, he is often found working behind the scenes keeping the G&GR juggernaut afloat.

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Discussion »

  • Zeno

    Good format this, Moses

    • http://twitter.com/mrtimms MrTimms

      Was just going to say that. Great idea Moses.

    • http://beerandsport.net Moses

      Thanks Zeno,
      Still working on it.. think a summary for subs at end of each stanza could work..

  • Gnostic

    Penalised Kepu for collapsing – when nobody went to ground and the Boks front row actually popped up? I thought he called “too much pressure” which is just an absolute joke. It would have been nice to see a camera angle on Kepu’s side Fox.

    • bill

      Perception trumps reality again. Gotta congratulate Alexander tonight. First time in a couple of years of watching his efforts where he stayed honest and just competed.

      Kepu was best prop afield for mine.

      Say goodbye and well done to John Smit. If he’s still there at WC time it’s down to politics.

      • Graeme

        He does a good post match interview. That ought to be worth a place and captaincy in the team.

    • Mart

      Yeah I didn’t understand that penalty at all. Our scrum dominated. ??

  • Damo

    Thanks for the call, always appreciated when you can’t watch it

  • Justo

    For all those Pat McCabe haters….he had a damn good game!!!
    Well done to the Aussies, starting to perform as a tighter unit.

    • bill

      I for one was critical of his selection, but he formed a solid midfield defensive pairing, but you’d expect that. Personally I think u don’t play him and AAC in the backline. I actually think he’s a better player than AAC was in comparison to this stage of his professional career. He’s still just a worker bee for mine, maybe that’s, on balance a good thing, or the whole point.

      In attack Gits, Taps, and Faingaa r still way way ahead.

      For mine, Gerrard drops out, Tapui gets drafted in. McCabe showed enuff promise to continue.

      • Seb V

        while im a big fan of A.Fainga, i really dont think he is better at attack then McCabe. McCabe is good in attack, hard and strong, breaks the line!

        • bill

          Yeah, but ad line is easy, support and hands are where you force multiply.

        • Darkhorse

          If it’s that easy everyone would be doing it. Faingaa’s a good player, but he doesn’t get the same go forward as McCabe.

        • Garry

          But Fingers will play better off QC. Familiarity.

        • bill

          McCabe outplayed Fingers tonight, thought fingers was a bit dissapointing.

          I like the sort of nervous hunger to do well that McCabe looks to have. The sort of lean and hungry look that so put the wind up julius ceasar.

          I’m just worried we gain defence at the price of support play and invention. We’ll come up against much better and bigger centre pairings than yesterdays. Only have to wait to next test to find out.

          I loved the bewildered look on the boks faces in the 1st half where fond hopes and preconceptions met the hard edge of reality.

    • Graeme

      I didn’t see the full game, but I agree with Deans gameplan. Git’s is definately a far better player than McCabe. But at the moment we have a team of too many play-makers, chosing one more play-maker isn’t going to add anything to our backline. On attack, I think Australia would be considered to be the best in the world by a lot of rugby followers (there will always be a bias towards your own team, myself included). Our potential weakness is a lack of hard running backs, and much more importantly, the other 50% of the game. Defense. It’s all good and great to have a dynamic and entertaining group of players in the backline, but unfortunately you really do have to spend 50% (or more based on our apparent gameplan) defending. McCabe has defended extremely well every time I’ve seen him play. Fai’inga is the other option for the Jersey. He is reknowned as a brutal defender. But to be honest, he hasn’t been able to pick up for the big games. Last year, when he was given his chance for the wallabies, he ended up poorly positioned and was our weak point in defense. Too be fair, that should probably have been put down to having one bad game. But again in the Super final, he managed to mix some brilliant defense with the occasional lapse, which would have the selectors unsure of whether he it would be wise to choose a player purely based on his defense, who has not yet been proven at the highest level.

  • BDA

    A few players should have silenced a few critics on this site. Elsom, McCabe, AAC and Alexander were all outstanding… great to see. very promising

    • Lindommer

      If this quartet of Brumbies can play so well for the Wallabies why couldn’t they do it for the Ponies? Just goes to confirm something’s seriously amiss in Canberra this winter.

  • Ian

    When you can sub your fullback for Pek Cowan, good times!!

    • The Rant

      yeah i didnt really understand – did pek play 8? JOC fullback?

      • bobas

        Joc went to fullback, pek went to blindside flanker and higginbotham to the right wing.

        I wish the wallabies could have spread it wide in that 10min period.

        • SS4

          No bro, Pek went to prop, Kepu to blindside, Higgers to the wing, and JO’C to fullback

  • Tangawizi

    We lost a fair bit once Elsom & Horwill left the field.

    Hope the Tri-Nations doesn’t end up coming down to points differential as felt we could have put on a lot more tonight.

    Good win though. Springboks were never in it once it got to 12-0.

  • SS4

    The Elsom bashers can sit back and shut their traps, he wasn’t at his best but he’s clearly on his way there. Wallabies lost a lot of their structure and direction when he (and Moore) left. Higginbotham should definitely start… ahead of McCalman.

    • AFL Convert

      OK so is it Moore or Rocky who provides the structure and direction???

      Agree that Rocky at his best is a good No 6 – but a below par Captain.
      Captainship is about leadership not just doing your own thing well.

      Rocky has never shown an ability to exercise Plan B and lead the team through the tough times that other Captains have.

      But we need thim to do well.

      Good to see Hodgo put in a good 20 minutes.

      • SS4

        He is definitely a good No. 6, I agree with you that he isn’t the best of captains but he does provide a lot of go-forward. It was pretty clear when he left the field..

      • bill

        I’ve said it before and I’m sure I’ll say it again Rocky is the best captain we’ve had since Eales at least.

        If you want to know why I think that, a journalist a few years ago (Wayne Smith?) wrote one of the best things you can say about a Rugby player, “every time he comes from the field he looks utterly exhausted, all has been given”(apologies for the paraphrasing).

        In any event the whole captaincy thing is a crock of shit. leadership is everybody’s responsibility.

        It isn’t about yelling at people it’s about getting shit done. See Lynagh 91 qtr final aus vs ire.

      • Alan

        personally id loved to have seen Beau replace the legendary BamBam

        • Graeme

          I wouldn’t

        • bill

          Yeah Greame,lol, but you’re gifted.

      • Graeme

        Honestly, I believe it is only the rookie rugby groupies who were calling for Elsoms scalp. As a captain, I’m not sure, but Deans is a hell of a lot closer to the crew than any of us, so it’s pretty idiotic to argue that Elsom isn’t hugely respected by the players when the person closer to them believes he is. I agree with the critisism of his interactions with the ref, but I’d trust the opinion of those closest to him far more than some back seat commentator.

        That said, every game I see him play, I’m warming more and more to Higgs Bum. I saw the stats on G&G and his work rate and tackle count are less than disappointing, but his presence on the field, to me, more than makes up for this.

        • Blinky Bill – in that gum tree across the road

          “warming to Higgs Bum”??????

          And to think that I was about to give you a tick. :(

        • Graeme

          Blinky,

          For what it’s worth, Higgs Bum is how my iPad translates Higgensbum, and you can’t argue with Steve Jobs now can you.

        • bill

          …unless you have a cure 4 cancer.

        • Thirsty Dog

          Ummm – we do have a cure for cancer… well actually the only real cure is evolution. However a Polish dude that immigrated to the US has essentially developed a system that will destroy cancerous cells without harming the normal cells – best of all it’s not toxic like every other current methods like radiation and radio therapy that was developed 50+ years ago. You can read/watch more at: http://vimeo.com/24821365

          Also – the Wallabies…… FUCK YEAH!

        • Garry

          Graeme…

          ” I’d trust the opinion of those closest to him far more than some back seat commentator.”

          Is that you, Matt Burke?

    • bill

      Elsom was back to almost his destructive best. Tried a bit hard at times but better that than being passive.

      I’m a fan of Elsom, but I’d still start Samo and Higgers then bring Elsom on as a wrecking ball in place of Samo or Higgers, whichever’s either less effective or more fatigued, at 60 minutes.

      Think Beau should replace Hodgo.

      • bill

        … as one pissed off wrecking ball…

      • chief

        Why in hell would you want Higgers to start when he hides out on the wing.
        In last night’s game he was at it again – doing a Dean Mumm – avoiding the bullocking work that Rocky does at the breakdown.
        He made a couple of tackles only for the game – but only out on the wing.
        And Deans officially put him on the wing during the game.
        Obviously he is becoming a wing specialist.
        I’m afraid Higgers don’t cut the mustard where it counts.
        Have a look at the tape again.

        • bill

          chief, you’re a blasphemous heretic! :)

    • Blinky Bill of Bellingen

      I’m one that’s been hoping Rocky could find the form he had prior to tripping off to Ireland AND get a better handle on the Captaincy role.

      I’ve almost convinced myself that I’m seeing huge improvement in him since last week but maybe it’s the better players around him this week. Not sure on that one.

      As for being Skipper….well……when he opted to kick for touch instead of taking the easy 3 points on offer right in front, I started thinking ‘here we go again…..does this bloke never learn’. Not too sure what he’s thinking there.

      But I am warming to his grumpy ways. He is trying to communicate with the Ref, as seen by him walking off after 40 with the Ref, so there’s a positive. And I saw him rallying the troops to maintain the rage and not drop off their intensity. So there’s another tick from me.

      Huge improvement by the team.

      • bill

        It’s interesting isn’t it. The communication thing with refs. Horwill’s been great at it. And while he crossed the line a year or two ago Rocky has noticeably amended his ways, without following the example of Stirlo who was way too stoic, in his wallaby days, when it came to the refs for mine.

      • Graeme

        I’d trust Dean’s opinion more than us voyagers, but I’d agree with those who don’t think Elsom has quite the way with the ref’s as some of the better captains. Still I’d choose Horwill over Elsom. His aside comment to the ref about the ground being slippery basically saved them a penalty try and the match against the waratahs. I’m sure he’ll be showing videos of that to his grandchildren. I certainly would be.

        • Garry

          ” I’d trust Dean’s opinion more than us voyagers,”

          Really? C’mon, are you winding us all up?

    • Graeme

      I’m glad I wasn’t the only one amused by that.

      I was disappointed in the last 15 minutes, which says a lot since I only saw the last 20 minutes.

      But sub’ing Beale for Cowan at least highlighted that we no longer had a backline for that period. That said, I agree with the reserve bench selected. I’d rather have 5 forwards on it, and Higgers slotting into wing than a 3rd back.

      • Graeme

        How did this end up on the Elsom sub-thread? It was a reply to Beale being substituted for Pek Cowan.

        • bill

          Shit happens around Rocky man!

  • Coach B

    Great to see Robbie finally learning how important a bench is. Great seeing the fresh legs coming in. You didn’t mention that Hodgson came on at the 60 mark for Pocock. Work rate high as always Hodgson. Great to see some flow and combinations forming.

    • SS4

      What flow and combination? The moment the bench came on the team lost direction and were running helter-skelter. There was no composure, no leadership. It was a mess, so many points were conceded in a short space of time.

      • bazzar

        we lot all our direction in attack when Genia went off. When do we get Burgess back again?

        • Graeme

          Agree completely. Apart from his lack of hitting side of a barn ability, Burgess is a phenomenal 60 minute sub. Phibbs (or Phipps?, which one), is a liability once he comes on. Can Burgess make the world cup? I would think he’d have a lot more chance than mitchell. I wouldn’t think muscle atrophia would be anywhere near as much of an issue in a hand as compared to a leg. Obviously being a half back, his hands are pretty important, but I’d put more stock on him being available at the end of the WC than Mitchell.

        • bill

          @graeme, lol, if only burgo had hands instead of edward scissor hands. Burgess is ok. Can’t see Drew getting back. Still remember news photos of Ben Tune’s leg when he had his knee immobilised, it was half the size of his healthy leg. Admittedly Drew won’t be out that long, but still…hard to credit his return for WC.

        • Graeme

          @Bill.

          I don’t see Mitchell playing any part in the world cup either. I’ve just come of a broken ankle, and my second case (ACL the first time) of having a leg atrophie. There’s no doubt that Mitchell would be capable of playing in the WC. But if he did, it would be a travesty. To get back to the explosive strenth that made him in my opinion the best winger in the world will take at least 3 to 6 months.

        • Graeme

          @Bill.

          Also agree about Burgess. Even unbroken, his hands were never great. But he is still an unbelievable force behind the scrum, and on a good day can be as dangerous in defense and attack as Genia (actually even more dangerous in defense).

        • Patrick

          Don’t underestimate Mitchell’s ability to recover, recovery for professional sportspeople is nothing like it is for us schmucks. Anyway I hope you are wrong!

      • bill

        Be interesting to watch the free to air just to where we lost a bit of scrum impetus, Faingaa , Cowan or Sharpe.

        Gotta love Kepu at 8…reminded meof Isitola Maka. Well, in looks, didn’t really lay on the damage like Maka. But he might’ve done a bit of that while he was at prop.

      • bill

        A lot of the time the Bok’s were a bee’s dick away from breaking it open once Lambie came on. Bit of luck at times, but you have to earn your luck. We rolled those c*nts in the 1st half though.

      • Coach B

        The flow and combination comment was aimed at the entire game and team vs last week. Relax SS4. I for one have hope for the team that is shaping up. And I also see the benefits of giving your bench a good work out. We need 22-26 players test match fit in case of injuries. The only way to do that is to use your bench and have faith in your depth. It has taken Deans 3 years to work it out but he looks like he will finally start looking after his super stars and trusting his bench to contribute. Generally I think the bench did themselves proud.

    • Garry

      There’s a big difference between using the bench and emptying the bench.

  • Alan

    Good win, not great, but good. We really should have scored more in the 2nd half. Few things of note:

    1. Great to see JOC making his kicks, think he got 5 from 6 and some of them were difficult touchline efforts.

    2. Scrum was strong and stable and pretty much had the better of the Boks. Great to see especially with Slipper and possibly Robinson to return.

    3. Simmons and Horwill are the perfect combination. I cant see anyone coming close to these two based on that performance. We looked a little ragged when big kev departed

    4. Rocky played well and may have softened the cough of a few of his critics… nice to see him talking to the team more, now he just needs to do the same with the ref

    5. Same with McCabe, i thought he did well as did Ant when he came on. We have a quality backline, tonight they were all pretty much superb {bar a few handling errors} With mitchell still to return…. theres some quality depth in this team

    • bill

      I liked the look of Vicks when he came on against Samoa. Hopefully he replaces Sharpie on the bench. Or maybe trial Timani again.

  • Nickwaiheke

    Not to take away from the oz team but SA were so poor many players who did well in the S15 just didn’t step up. PDV has devalued the bok jersey yet again
    Roll on Auckland for the real stuff

    • Blinky Bill of Bellingen

      That’s because our boys didn’t allow them to step-up.

      Credit where credit is due please!!!!!!!!!

    • Graeme

      Can Robinson make it for the WC. I didn’t think so. But we desparately need him. Assuming we don’t fuck up and beat Ireland in the qualifiers, we will likely face England in the Semi’s. I really don’t want to have to face another reaming of our scrum, it’s seriously embarressing losing year over year to our most hated, and, would I say inferior, team, just because they can Scrum and we cant.

      • bill

        Whole pack performance. Tonight, I don’t think it was so much the bok front row that were so bad, more their tight 5 as a unit vs our 8. Especially their 2nd row. Reminded me a lot of last year us vs england.

      • Garry

        I’m with you.

        And before we get too excited about our scrum dominance, lets not forget that the Bok lock was off the field for a while. This tends to disrupt the scrum combinations a little.

        But encouraging signs none the less.

      • bill

        Ordinarily I’d agree Graeme, but last year’s game against us by England wrote them in as a genuine chance for the WC for mine. If they can reproduce that form.

        • bill

          the november test is the game I’m referring to. If they reproduce the displays from their oz tests they’ll trouble us but we should be good enough to slice them up.

  • bill

    Shame to see Basson have a unlucky game. For such a cool customer previously he looked stressed out and nervous all night. Go looking for involvement mate. He should be one of the bok’s best in years to come.

    Cheap hip n shoulder from Aplon on Beale. Go play AFL, more your style.

    • suckerforred

      But brill recovery from Beale!

  • bill

    Apart from the performance, my favourite moment was when Saia Faingaa came on….blackeye baby. Can’t recall him having it in the S15 final, so I guess the w’bees are training pretty hard… just like every other team.

    • AJ

      Shame he can’t throw a straight ball like squeak or bust a run like taf. Thought his subbing reduced the intensity of the oz scrum and he actually managed to make fat boy smit look good for twenty minutes. Don’t rate him at all at international level I’m afraid.

      • bill

        He’s pretty accurate at lineout, scrum is his weak point, and he can get overwhelmed when carrying the ball, but is still pretty handy. Supports well. Defends very well. Not as physically dominant as Taf 4 sure. Hanson and him could be swapped on the bench according to opponent.

        Lineout accuracy trumps scrum power 4 mine. Hanson is reasonable at lineout though, so who knows.

    • Who Needs Melon

      What about Kafe’s comment during the match: “He just iced Mvovo”.

      I bet you he’d been praying he’d get a chance to say that all week! :)

  • Tyrone

    Just saw this comment from an Aussie stirrer on a Sth African rugby website. It has started a s@#$ storm.

    “Australia has invented a brilliant steyn remover. Gets your whites even whiter and even makes your coloureds go very very pale.”

    Seriously though, Ive never seen such dumb, one dimensional play from an international team, Sth Africa are in real trouble, there is NO SKILL whatsoever.

    Australia showed great skill and creativity, that backline is second to none in the world.

    • bill

      Brilliant.

    • Graeme

      Have you got a link to that, I’d love to see it.

      > Australia showed great skill and creativity, that backline is second to none in the world.

      I think we should play an ‘A’ team before making comments like this. Winning 4-2 against a ‘B’ team is not something to get to excited about.

      • Tyrone

        Sure Graeme

        http://www.keo.co.za/2011/07/23/australia-v-south-africa-1205-ko/

        The article has topped 1000 comments already!

        I still believe that our backline is better than the AB’s backs in one thing – attack. The defence gets me a bit nervous. The Saffa’s didn’t ask any questions of them at all. Depth is a worry too.

        • Graeme

          I agree with you. I think we have the most dangerous backline in the world but worry about defense. But I agree with Deans policy in this game at least of choosing the centers (AAC & McCabe) based on defensive ability. I think that hardens up our backline for the ‘other 50% percent’ of the game.

    • Graeme

      Cheers for the link. It’s on page nine the comment, although to be honest I didn’t see any reaction to it.

      • Tyrone

        At that point, comments were coming in at 1 every 20 seconds, its quite spread out, some is in Afrikaans so my saffa mate is doing abit of translating and its not pretty :)
        John Smit is quite an unpopular man over there at the moment!

    • bill

      Pretty entertaining. Liked the rabid chihauhas comment on page 14?15 , stopped reading after that. Getting past my attention span.

  • Angus

    Good game by the wallabies against what must be said a poor opposition. The forward pack played very well, the second row and props in particular. I think Simmons is really pushing to cement that starting spot beside Big Kev. There are still a few criticisms the Wallabies can take from the game:

    1.) Digby needs a little glue put on his hands (normally his hands are pretty good).

    2.) McCalman still looks like a passenger at 8 for the wallabies and I think someone else should at least get a go at starting there.

    3.) We need more impact off the bench. Higgenbotham again was good before he was shifted to the wing and Anthony Fainga’a and Pek Cowan showed some good defense but Hodgson, Sharpe, Phipps and Saia did not add much in their cameos. Genia should be playing 80 minutes a game from here on and I think Robinson deserves another shot off the bench over Hodgson.

    Overall it was good to see the W allabies playing some attractive rugby and O’Connor kicking well.

    • bill

      JO’C was just senational wasn’t he? Best generation of Aussie union backs ever.

      • Rugbyfreak

        O’Connor’s two catches off his bootlaces and especially his try were highlights for me. Also I am as pleased as anyone to see some form from Elsom and really hope he can build on that performance as I have been critical of him too , but you have to give credit where credits due.

      • Garry

        Quite a few of tin lids will be getting O’Connor guernseys for Christmas. Good work fella.

        Ahh…but what team is that?

    • Coach B

      Phipps I agree didn’t shine (again). However Hodgson was solid. In his 15 minutes he made 6 tackles, attended over a dozen breakdowns, made 1 turn over, was involved in 4 scrums and 4 lineouts. What more do you want from 15 minutes Angus?

      And I counted. I prefer to substantiate my comments with facts. Does anyone know where the player stats are available for last week or this week? I’m still keen to get some hard facts over just subjective opinions.

  • bill

    What a difference a week makes. Biggest lesson of the last week isn’t about the wallabies though, it’s about the Samoans. Be afraid England, be very afraid.

    Mind you the English love the rough stuff, so they’re probably laying in a supply of lube even as we speak.

    • Graeme

      They play Wales not England?

      • bill

        Oh, cheers for that. My usual blinkers on.

        Geez Wales, oh dear…you poor misguided bastards.

  • Pete

    So what have we all learnt about B-Teams?

    • bill

      It’s easy to be flat rack bullies?

      • bill

        track not rack… goddam speech impediments.

  • Pedro

    Saffas looked average, Wallabies played ruthlessly at times scrappy at others. It was a great game to watch but I feel that not much was learnt as you kinda feel that south Africa was nutered by selection policy, making it a damp squib.

  • bill

    Anyone else notice the disturbing resemblance between Pollock, the ref, and the dude from the ING ad? After tonight’s performance I could almost hope they take up base jumping. Well, the ING guy anyway.

    My head did sink in my hands when I saw Vinnie Munroe’s name read out. NooOooooo!

  • Gingernuts

    I think all of these wild declarations that the Wallabies / Rocky / Paddy McC and especially our scrum “are back” or “have shut the critics up” are a bit premature.

    Yes, the signs are good on all fronts, but just as you don’t become rubbish overnight, you don’t become consistently credible after one game either.

    Let’s wait 2 weeks or more, until we’ve played our “A”team against the best others can field. A belting of a below-strength RSA team is OK in establishing patterns, building confidence and little else, but it’s not a problem solver on any front.

    Because if there’s one thing the Wallabies have been consistent in, it’s inconsistency. And that trait has never won a world cup.

    All up, I’d mark us as 6 out of 10. But the real exam comes at Eden Park.

    Not being a pessimist, just realistic about what I saw last night. A good Aussie team beat a poor RSA team.

    • Garry

      I’d have to agree.

      Swallow, summer.

  • suckerforred

    So I am about to chow down on a great big chunk of humble pie. (Enjoy it folks, doesn’t happen often so they tell me.)

    Rocky – Good to see the form returning. Still have my doubts about the captaincy, but …. last night did show that he could have a reasonable game and be the captain. Play every minute of every game for the 3N and he will hopefully be a full strength for the RWC.

    McCabe – When he moved from Fullback to IC during the Super season I was a little mistified. After see him play there during the season I thought – “Better there then 15, but won’t make WB standard this year.” After last night and last week… I can see real potienial and I think with a bit more time beside QC he will be a star. Inside centre no longer a problem – McCabe & Ant both bloody good.

    Now to where I feel I have no need to stand corrected (but please correct me if you feel necessary)-

    Hodgson & Phipps – PLEASE there are better out there. Beau should start ahead of Hodgson on the Bench behind Pocock, And lets hope (pray if you feel he will listen) that Burgess’s hand gets better quick. Although Burgo my not be as good as Genia (lets face it who is?), I get the distinct feeling that he is better then Phipps.

    Higgers on the wing? Hmmmmmmmmmmmm. But I guess if you are caught between a rock and a hard place he is one of the better options. I hope his mum is happy with all those soccer skills she invested in.

    Saia – not sure weather he is up to the standard or not. As much as I would like to have my red tinted glasses on – will TPN be back for RWC?

    JOC – Or should that be GOD?

    AAC – I think that 13 is his position. Still don’t understand why he has been playing on the wing all year at the donkeys, but last night there was some glimers of form. Another one that by the time the world cup comes around he should be settled into the place he should be.

    Diggers – I little disapointed in his usually safe hands last night.

    Ref’s – I really do think that there should be a ref’s camp ahead of the RWC concentrating on scrumaging. Preferably get some of them to pack down in there and work out what is going on. Can some one please explain what a penality for “to much pressure” is about? I thought that that indicated a dominant scrum……… some footage would be good.

    I think that is about all. We won. Am happier then I was last week and can’t wait till I get to talk to all those Saffa’s when I get to work!!!!!!

    Oh, and I stand corrected on Basson. Apparently he is the fastest man on a rugby field at the moment. Would like to see a 90 metre race between him and Rocket though just to make sure.

    • Garry

      Paddy O’brien and Mike Crone have organised a private schooling for the Refs.

  • Lee Enfield

    Well massive improvement from the Wallabies, they jey now is to maintain that level of intensity and physicality week in week out.

    The Forward pack had a good game, they worked as a team and did the simple things right, allowing the backs to have front foot ball. The front row was solid and will only get better with the return of Slipper, not holding my breath on Robinson. Simmons and Horwill is the lock combination we use for the Tri Nations, RWC and beyond, those two hunt together in Defence and work well off each other in Attack. Elsom had one of his better games in a while, which is good to see, would love to see Higgers or Samo at 8, but McCalmum has probably done enough to hold onto the 8 jersey a while yet. The only change I would like, is Robinson in for Hodgson, but other than that and Slipper and TPN returning, the Forwards should be good to go.

    The backs were pretty much spot on, a few poor ball handling issues, but I would expect that to improve. I am glad Deans gave McCabe another chance, as much as I like Faingaa, I think the bench spot is best for him. Pat McCabel was rock solid in defence and far from one dimensional in attack. AAC was good, it seems playing McCabe and AAC outside a real 9/10 combination has done wonders for their game, and further justification of the dropping of Giteau. Withstanding injuries, last nights backline should be what we continue to use throughout the Tri Nations and RWC. Obviously when Burgess is fit, he should come onto the bench for Phipps and I think Mitchell will struggle to make it into the 22, with the 5/2 split and Faingaa on the bench, we don’t need a specialist winger on the bench, when the starting backs have the versatility they do.

    Pumped for the win, the test comes against the All BLacks and the Springbok A team, lets hope the Wallabies can continue to improve and play at that intensity week in week out.

  • pants

    I’ll eat humble pie too regarding McCabe. He had a great game especially in defence. The only mistake I thought he made was not being where Quade passed the ball one time when they made a break. Ant Fainga would have known where to be but hopefully McCabe can learn quickly from experience how to play outside QC.

    QC and Genia were brilliant. The difference just those 2 guys make is phenomenal. It turns our attack from pedestrian to worlds best and most unpredictable. Genia’s work in creating that 2nd try was sublime. Everyone in the backline outside of those 2 had much better games this week. Even AAC got back into it, which is good to see. I did think QC avoided a couple of tackles that he probably should have got involved in though. But maybe having him as a purely attacking weapon is a valid option.

    Digby was excellent too. He dropped a few balls but the passes were difficult ones, but apart from that, he was great. Him defending at 10 seems an inspired move as well.

    Rocky, was better too. Still unsure about the captaincy thing though. All in all though its hard to know where we really stand given that this was a Springbok B team, just like we were a B team last week. The real test begins against the ABs, then we’ll have a clear indication of exactly how good we are and that is Rocky’s time to stand up as captain and get a MOTM award.

    • Patrick

      DIgby was really looking for the tackles especially later as we threatened to fall apart a bit, at one point (maybe around 75′?) he made three tackles in less than 30 secs!

      I’m pretty sure everyone including the Wallabies knows that the ABs is the real deal.

  • Garry

    And let’s take a moment to remember that somewhere, out there, Gits is sitting on a bean bag watching the game.

    (apologies to Dame Edna)

  • rugbyfreak

    good win by our boys….yah!…i dont know about anyone else but i am real worried about playing the blacks…we show real signs of winners when the ball is in hand with our backs but i can’t say the same about our forwards…I think mccaw and co will dominate our forwards when we meet the old foe in a few weeks….scary…sure they started slow against Fiji but they always do and by the time we meet them we need to be allot tougher in our pack…i think our best chance to throw them will be in brisbane last game of the tri-nations…and i honestly cant see us beating them in nz if we meet at the world cup…im trying to stay positive but the gutt says otherwise

    • Garry

      And against Fiji, that was their B team.

      • bill

        Fiji’s B team as well with bans against military involvement I think.

  • Adori

    A MUCH better performance than the week before. As someone above has said, the lock pairing of Horwill/Simmons works a treat – they have attitude and hunt as a pack. Also agree that Beau should get spot ahead of Hodgo – he is off his game tho I’m sure with time he will get better but hi time isn’t now.

    I find myself agreeing again that Rocky had a much better game – more like we’ve come to expect from him – but captaincy worries me. I think he would play better without it. But how does one reject he captaincy of the national side – difficult move.

    And McCabe. I will say that I was one who backed him and am glad he didn’t let me down. Solid in defence and more than able in attack. Yes, he’s no ball distributor/playmaker but I think we have enough of those. Did you see how he and AAC defended with each other in the middle? When the AB’s start testing those channels we want that sort of defence (as long as they can reproduce it, cos to be honest the Boks didnt REALLY test them that much as their attack was poor). I think having FingersA as a capable backup and similar style player in attack/defence is such a positive for Wallabies as the backline won’t have to make any adjustments when swapping one for the other in case of injury/form.

    And we still have some players to come back from injuy?? Palu, TPN, Ben Robbo & Mitchell… great to have selection headache of “who to leave out” for a change eh Robbie?

    As much as I thought they played well tonight, the test is consistency. We all know that the pack CAN be dominant and the backs CAN attack brilliantly (we saw it last year against Boks, France and AB’s in HK), but its doing it consistently that is key from now till RWC.

    Final thought:I liked the fact that there were no wild celebrations after tries, just pats on the head and smiles but no showboating, which is a good sign. Scoring a try is only a small fraction of the job done and is no reason to showboat. Lifting Bill at the end of RWC – THATs when you can showboat. Alot can happen between now and then boys, so dont start practising your dance routines yet, there’s work to do. Roll up your sleeves and get stuck in.

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