The hardest thing to believe about yesterday’s match in Cape Town is that Australia won the try count, two to one.
Some could even argue that in many ways they were the better team on the day.
But they just couldn’t do what it took to get the job done, and it’s not as if they didn’t get a good look at exactly what that was over the past two weeks!
Even this humble blogger back in Ireland could call the gameplan seven days ago…
We need to see how (Morné Steyn) fares against a team which has both discipline in the forwards and a backline with the confidence to go for linebreaks.
OK, let’s be fair for a second…early on, the Wallabies went for linebreaks. On a tricky away fixture, many would have kicked for goal given an early penalty right in front, but Australia chose for the territory, and were rewarded with a fine finish by Ashley-Cooper in the corner, followed up by an incredible conversion by Giteau.
But sadly, they couldn’t match that composure at the breakdown, and referee Alain Rolland’s hand was shooting up more often than a straight-A student’s in algebra class.
It’s quite simple – take all the Wallaby infractions out of this game and they’d have won it. And Giteau himself was one of the worst offenders. In many ways, their failure to keep their heads was worse than the All Blacks the week before since they had more time to watch and prepare.
While I appreciate it was a tough week for coach Deans, his charges let him down badly in the composure department.
Having said that, there was much to give the Aussies hope, not least the impressive showing given by young James O’Connor (and I MEAN young – he looks about ten!!!). It was his break that led to their second try…maybe he could’ve been more aware of how many team-mates were with him, but nonetheless it provided the springboard for Giteau to stretch over the line and touch down.
And much like the previous week, MSteyn was stroking the ball over the bar with relative ease, when given the opportunity, of course…I still believe this guy’s honeymoon period in a Springbok jersey will come to an end pretty soon, and only then will we see what he’s made of.
But even though this was a South Africa performance more like the 3rd Lions test than the first two, they were still miles ahead in experience and having been handed such a big halftime lead, were never going to give it up.
This leaves just one question regarding the remainder of this TriNations tournament – since the Bokke are now left with three away games, does it mean it’s still wide open?
I’d like to think that both Robbie Deans and Graham Henry have the savvy to regroup and make things uncomfortable for Matfield and co when they eventually travel down under.
But first the Bledisloe Cup rivals must play each other in a fortnight, and whoever loses that will have to make do with a role as spoilers the rest of the way.
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