Greetings Gaggers. You’re stuck with me for the game review and I intend to be three sheets to the leeward side at that point. So I thought, ‘Why not open the article now for a combined live blog/autopsy (review later).’
What stands out for me so far is our lot are yet to drop a ball or concede a point. We are right in this at present… See you in the comments section.
The Game.
First Half
What can I say? The first half, especially the first 20 minutes was every Wallaby fans worst nightmare. The Kiwis found yards up the middle at will and blew out to a 21-0 lead, almost without breaking a sweat. The Wallabies had little ball and when they did, the ghosts of games past came back to haunt them. Lost lineouts, missed tackles, passes to no one (that lead to AB tries), poor reads in D, poor kicks, basically poor everything.
No sooner had total and utter despondency set in, then an excellent try to Fraser McReight off a rare lineout win and the game had a pulse. It must be said, however, that the ABs looked to have blown 3-4 tries and a halftime score of 45-14 would have been about right. But at oranges the score was 28-14 NZ, despite the Wallabies best attempts to concede more.
Second Half.
Whatever was said at halftime looked to have worked. The Kiwis kicked an early penalty to skip out to 31-14. But from there the Wallabies built back into the game and found their pace and direct runners and it was game on. The Kiwis still fluffed their lines, but Australia decided they would be masters of their own rugby domain.
The game really turned on the back of the Wallabies reserves. McDermott injected pace and running, instead of constant referee abuse from White. Salakaia-Loto was immense both sides of the ball and at set piece and the Wallabies had rediscovered their mojo. Pietsch was outstanding, made metres, looked for work and always looked dangerous. Gleeson was brutal with his carries and his hits.
Indeed a knock-on in the build up to a disallowed (rightfully so) try to Kellaway was ultimately all that stood between a brave loss against what would have been the fightback of the century.
Now, before we prepare victory speeches for next week. The Kiwis blew about 5-6 tries of their own and odds are they are unlikely to repeat that next week. But, the Aussies really put it to them, so much so, the second half score was Wallabies 14- NZ 3 and that’s enough to make next week interesting.
For the record, I thought the ref was poor, particularly poor. BUT: he was poor both ways and ultimately, didn’t impact the games result or the spectacle in what was in the end, an enjoyable game to watch.
MOTM.
For me, far and away the best player, on either side and his best ever in gold, skipper, Dirty Harry Wilson. His work rate, impact, carries, leadership, defence, his whole match was outstanding. So much so, he completely overshadowed Ardie Savea. That’s no mean feet. Well played Harry.
Summary.
History will show it’s another year without the cup. And I must admit at 21-0 I personally thought we were looking at 60+ to NZ. The Wallabies rediscovered some belief, some aggro and skill and I rediscovered my love for the team. I’ll take that from a defeat any day of the week.
Well done Wallabies.
Australia v New Zealand – 21 September
