My 7 year old daughter, who had watched most of the game, went away towards the end and came back into the lounge room with the game over, She asked me sheepishly, 'Who won?' I guess she couldn't tell from my glum face.
I should be ecstatic with a win but that miserable second half left me feeling hollow.
How can the first half be so good and the second half so bad? What did Link say at halftime? Were we just too arrogant, thinking we had the game won already at halftime. I can understand the thinking and it probably should have been a bonus point win, but you still have to turn up and play.
Why can't Australia be more consistent? They can never string two good halves together. It's either a poor first half and a decent second half with a strong finish, or a great first half (like tonight) and a shitty second half.
More lack of consistency: Last week the reserves brought a lot to the game. Tonight they added nothing. Was the extra 10 minutes just too much for them? No consistency and until they get over that hill they'll never compete with the All Blacks.
The Pumas reserves completely out-thought and out-played our blokes.
I watched James Horwill closely and he was all at sea and has certainly lost his Mojo. He has become a real plodder. I think Big Willy or Neville would offer much more.
I like Pek Cowan at Super Rugby level but I'm not sure if he has what it takes at International level (though I have never played in the front row so I don't know if he is to blame). I can't understand why Toby Smith has never been given a go at loose-head...is it because of his recent Kiwi connections?
Gigglebum did nothing and made it worse when he spilled that ball from Foley. Not a great pass but certainly catch-able. KB (Kurtley Beale) did nothing.
Israel Folau is a gifted, brilliant athlete...but he still has a lot to learn about rugby.
I enjoyed the first half. Yes, they blew some tries, but at least they were having a good crack. Foley blew one when he hogged it as Horne would have had an easy flop over the line. Maybe they were getting white line fever. They seemed spread and flat. No-one was coming from deep, or back on the angle....and that is not really difficult stuff to do. I expect better from this level...but an enjoyable half. Great scrummaging too. Well done to the first half front row. Kepu was sublime. I think it's the best game I've seen him play.
Well done to the Argies too. If not for a pedantic free kick at the death they may have stolen their first 4 Nations (or whatever it's called) win.
