If anyone needed any proof that this test was won in the forwards, they only needed to watch the Wallaby press conference post-test. Robbie Deans was there, resplendent in his team issue suit. Next to him were David Pocock and Rocky Elsom who both looked like they’d gone 15 rounds with Iron Mike at his peak. Also there was Will Genia, who looked like he’d gone 15 rounds with Paul Briggs. He looked as fresh as a daisy in comparison.
So when Robbie was asked the question “any injuries?” and his answer was that Saia had a slight cork and that Sharpie was out looking for his tooth, it was hard not to look over at his two battered back rowers and grimace. If there were no injuries, and this is how bad these guys look than that was one tough game. It was a game won by the Wallaby forwards with a game plan tailored to the Wallaby backs.
The ball in hand to maintain possession game plan is one the Wallabies want to play. As Rocky stated, it just doesn’t always work out that way. But what it meant was that we relied on our forwards to do the hard work, sure, but to do it constantly. On either side of the field. Back and forth, up and down, within minimal rest, against one of the most aggressive packs in world rugby.
The effort was there to see on the faces of both of Pocock and Rocky. The blood slowly trickling down Pocock’s face threatened many of the media’s recording devices as it pooled below him. Whilst Rocky, unkempt at the best of times, had a face seemingly painted with red marks and welts. In my eyes, these two were our stand out performers and it was great to see some good old-fashioned battle scars as their reward.
From a Wallaby performance, the guys were pleased with the fact that they were able to play to their preferred game plan a little more consistently. This was the possession based game, and included Rocky with a few wide running forays. Another positive, for Deans, was the return of Benn Robinson and Stephen Moore to high level footy. Even Genia said he felt better with a few more kilometres under his belt.
One of the few players singled out for attention by Deans was Tight Head Prop Salesi Ma’afu. The Wallaby coach is of the firm belief that Salesi has now proved that “he belongs” in test footy, having come so far since his first test. I get the impression this was as much about Salesi proving it to himself as any viewing ‘experts’.
In the end, Rocky was cautious in his assessment of the performance and what it means for their next encounter with the All Blacks. Whilst he was pleased that they were able to ask as many questions of the Boks as they did, he acknowledged that the Wallabies can’t afford to drop off the pace next week, as they did tonight.
Moving on to the Springbok conference and it was an understandably sullen affair. The bright spot was the anticipation built when Brendan Cannon replaced Rod Kafer as the fox sports expert. Canno opened up proceedings asking Peter de Villiers whether, after three losses in a row, he was the man to be coaching the Boks for the next 14 months.
“You’ll have to ask my bosses” was the stilted reply.
The Boks, through de Villiers, Ryan Kankowski and Ruaan Pienaar each expressed frustration with the breakdown on the night. To them it just added to the aggravation of two more yellow cards and bordered on yet another excuse for the loss.
John Smit was humble and considered in his responses, but visibly frustrated at his team’s inability to execute the game plan and the continued cardings. Pienaar was more forthright in his views that the Boks played quality rugby only for the Wallabies, lead by Pocock, to slow down the ball at the break down. Ruaan was quite insistent that Pocock deserved a card at some stage.
So while the Wallabies hope to use this performance as a launching pad for further improvement in their next encounter v the All Blacks, the Boks are looking forward to getting right away from it. They now have two weeks off before assembling again for their home leg of the Tri-Nations.
LATE NEWS:
TWO PLAYERS CITED AFTER TRI NATIONS TEST BETWEEN QANTAS WALLABIES AND SPRINGBOKS
Qantas Wallabies five-eighth Quade Cooper and South African centre Jaque Fourie have been cited for dangerous tackles in the wake of Australia’s 30-13 win over the Springboks in tonight’s Bundaberg Red Tri Nations Test in Brisbane.
Citing Commissioner Steve Hinds of New Zealand charged Cooper and Fourie under Law 10.4(e), over separate incidents which led to sin bin stints for the pair during the clash at Suncorp Stadium.
Fourie was yellow carded in the second minute of the Test and Cooper in the 54th minute.
Judicial Officer Bruce Squire QC of New Zealand will preside over the hearings this morning (Sunday) at the Sofitel Hotel in Brisbane, starting at 9am.
And it’s official:
Quade Cooper suspended for two weeks
Wallabies flyhalf Quade Cooper has been suspended for two weeks after being cited for a dangerous tackle during the Tri Nations Test between Australia and South Africa at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane last night.
Cooper, who will miss Australia’s back to back Bledisloe Cup Tests against the All Blacks in Melbourne on Saturday night and in Christchurch the following week, had been cited over an incident in the 54th minute of the match won 30-13 by the Wallabies.
He appeared before SANZAR Judicial Officer Bruce Squire QC of New Zealand in Brisbane today.
Mr Squire found Cooper guilty of a breach of Law 10.4 (j).
He compared the offence to that of Springbok wing Jean de Villiers in last week’s Tri Nations match against the All Blacks, for which the South African was suspended for two weeks.
“This is consistent application in terms of like penalties for like offences,” Mr Squire said.
Entry point for a low grade lifting tackle offence is three weeks.
Taking into account mitigating circumstances including Cooper’s good record, Mr Squire handed down a penalty of two weeks with the suspension ending on 8 August 2010.
Mr Squire will also hear today a dangerous tackle charge against Springboks centre Jaque Fourie who was also cited after last night’s Test in Brisbane.
And Jacque is gone too:
Jaque Fourie suspended for four weeks
Springboks centre Jaque Fourie has been suspended for four weeks – covering three matches – after being cited for a dangerous tackle during the Tri Nations Test between Australia and South Africa in Brisbane last night.
His ban, to end on August 22, will include two Currie Cup matches for which Fourie would have been considered for selection plus the Tri Nations Test against New Zealand on August 21.
Fourie was initially cited over an incident in the 2nd minute of the match won 30-13 by the Wallabies at Suncorp Stadium.
He subsequently appeared in Brisbane today with SANZAR Judicial Officer Bruce Squire QC, of New Zealand, presiding over the matter.
Mr Squire found Fourie guilty of a breach of Law 10.4 (j) and considered the offence at the lower end of severity.
Entry point for a low grade lifting tackle offence is three matches.
Fourie was suspended last year for a similar offence.
