After a week of disruptive media attention and allegations of a divisive leadership group, the Wallabies almost pulled off the unthinkable against the All Blacks in Brisbane. As it transpired, Colin Slade’s last minute conversion (atoning for an earlier error in failing to find touch) was enough to separate the teams after a fast paced Bledisloe Cup classic.
The Houdini act was enough to prevent the AB’s from losing two tests in a row for the first time since 2011, but it doesn’t paint the full picture of last nights action, or in reality the deserving winner. The Wallabies played with energy, endeavour and a collective spirit that wasn’t inherently obvious leading into the game. The finish was cruel and scant reward for the Wallabies who are struggling to close out games after recent second half losses to the Pumas and Springboks too. They did however prove they will be a threat at next years World Cup by implementing a more ambitious game plan. The game plan involved keeping hold of possession for long passages of play, and adding plenty of width to their play when given the chance. Much like the Springboks did against NZ in Johannesburg, the Wallabies played at pace, refused shots at goal, and attacked the breakdown with plenty of assertiveness.
The game appeared to be headed in the expected direction when Cory Jane and Dane Coles tries cancelled out Nick Phipps’ opening effort. However the Wallabies pressed hard before halftime to take a small lead into the second half and accelerated immediately after. Adam Ashley-Cooper capped off his 100th game by scoring an easy try that up to five Australians were in a position to score, and at that point it appeared the All Blacks’ lack of attacking ingenuity would ultimately prove their downfall.
The comeback was eventually sparked by lock Patrick Tuipulotu’s sin-binning. The AB’s gained confidence and momentum to firstly close the gap thanks to Aaron Smith’s quick thinking try, and later put themselves in a position to win on the back of a 80 minute Fekitoa try.
The win again proves the self-belief within the All Blacks set-up; they just don’t know how to lose. For the Bledisloe Cup holders, Aaron Smith was tremendous even with his forward pack going backwards; Brodie Retallick was industrious; and Richie McCaw his thieving self in a below par All Blacks performance. As a team they fell off too many tackles, coughed up too much ball, and generally lacked attacking intent. One positive, was the opportunity to to give members of their squad some important game time in a pressure situation.
The much-improved Wallabies will take heart from the defeat. They were the better team for most of the game. Individually, Bernard Foley was solid, James Slipper overcame some scrum woes to be ever-present around the park, and Falou and Kuridrani dangerous every time they touched the ball. They won’t, however, take a coach away from the defeat; coach Ewen McKenzie quit on the morning of the game.
