Wallabies blow golden opportunity
28 Aug 2010
SIMON BORCHARDT says a high error count from Australia in the second half at Loftus prevented them from winning at altitude in South Africa for the first time since 1963.
The Wallabies had 55% of possession in those 40 minutes and finished as the stronger side, yet crucial mistakes allowed the Boks to hang on to a lead that they had claimed for the first time in the 50th minute.
The Australian lineout was their big weakness on Saturday and they lost four of their own throws, including two (in the 65th and 69th minutes) when 5-10m out from the Bok tryline. But there were other game-defining moments that will haunt the visitors. A knock on from David Pocock in the 44th minute was followed shortly after by a high tackle from Saia Faingaa which allowed Frans Steyn to narrow the gap to one point. Steyn’s try, which followed shortly after and gave the Boks a 34-31 advantage, was the result of an Australian error from the restart (an area of the game they had done well in up until that point). And most memorably, Adam Ashley-Cooper lost the ball forward in the 57th minute, after being tackled by Francois Hougaard, when the Wallabies looked certain to score and make it 38-37.
Rocky Elsom’s side really should have broken their highveld drought considering the outstanding start they made to the Test. After 10 minutes, they’d had 70% of the possession and scored three tries by playing a high-paced game and using the width of the field. Quade Cooper’s return to flyhalf gave the visitors an attacking edge they didn’t have against New Zealand and he marshaled his backs superbly. The Wallabies’ key forward, Pocock, had another good outing although the Boks didn’t allow him to boss the breakdown like he did in Brisbane.
But while Australia dominated early on, you never felt they had the game won (as was the case when the Waratahs made such an strong start against the Bulls in this year’s Super 14), although they probably would have taken the full five points had they not made so many mistakes in the second half when the Boks were against the ropes.
Robbie Deans will be gutted that his side weren’t able to land the killer blow but will take solace from the fact that they appear to be on an upward curve 13 months out from the World Cup and may be just one or two wins away from making a real breakthrough. Unfortunately, you can’t say the same about South Africa, despite their win on Saturday.
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20 Comments
28 Aug 2010, 19:45 pm
candy floss game
28 Aug 2010, 19:49 pm
butch and Chilliboy ….start them.
Smit is gone….klaar…kaput.
Need new fresh legs….My boy Frans Steyn looks fat and slow…..this was a very weird game of rugby!
28 Aug 2010, 19:52 pm
It was funny hearing one aussie commentator and the guy from fox trying to blame the aussie coaching staff for the loss….
28 Aug 2010, 20:07 pm
F Steyn doesn’t look fat – just big. He could easily play as a loosie. Maybe he should replace Spies
28 Aug 2010, 20:08 pm
Maybe altitude got them, maybe they tried to be too loose….or maybe they actually got beaten – and outlasted – by a better side. And one coming off 4 loses that might have gutted and neutered a lesser side than the Boks.
These journos make me sick – they can’t watch the match with open eyes…most of them were drolling for one more loss so they could be “bad news” merchants and claim their comments and incisive comments brought down PdV – Smit – Matfield – Steyn (F) – or whoever….pick one !!
Report on the game, not your preconceived bias.
28 Aug 2010, 20:09 pm
If I were a Bok supporter I wouldn’t get too excited.
28 Aug 2010, 20:10 pm
@yank(yank)-5: ‘most of them were drolling for one more loss so they could be “bad news” merchants and claim their comments and incisive comments brought down PdV – Smit – Matfield – Steyn (F) – or whoever….pick one !!’
it seems it’s not just the commentators
28 Aug 2010, 20:28 pm
@Big Hit(Big Hit)-7:
Read what I wrote….I just named the journos favorite whipping boys.
28 Aug 2010, 20:35 pm
I would like to think the boks had quite a bit to do with the Aussies losing the game.
Great come from behind win – showed the importance of senior players who have seen it all before.
Frans Steyn needs a couple more games to get to 100% – but he will get there.
Habana, Smit and Matfield should now get a rest until EOYT – Juan can captain next week.
28 Aug 2010, 23:02 pm
I think the assessment is pretty accurate, A wins a win but, Either of would have lost to the Kiwis
29 Aug 2010, 03:00 am
Yes the Aussies should have won they certainly played the better style of Rugby and one that is suited to the rules, if they were a better team they would have destroyed the Boks and never taken the foot of the throat in the manner they did. Boks were dull and boring but elevated to a far better team by the crowd, that style of Bok rugby will not win a world cup or take them forward.
29 Aug 2010, 08:42 am
The Ausies have a superb backline and a mediocre pack. Pockock and Elsom are their only forwards worth a damn. They will compete for the world cup but not win it. Either the AB (most likely the Boks or France to win it. If we coul just get our line away better we would detroy the Wallabies and really threaten the ABs.
29 Aug 2010, 08:48 am
bok errors put aus in good position to start with, so it could be argued that mistakes kept them from a bigger victory. depends on your point of view or agenda
29 Aug 2010, 23:46 pm
This was a much better game from the Boks in that they showed a change of mindset from their damn kick chase approach, to a ball in hand approach. Sure they let in a few soft tries, but those are anomalies that can’t be relied upon by other teams. Habana’s dropped kick for eg, and the penalty against the Boks for Mumm’s try was harsh. Even the Aussie commentators said so. and tehy got one truinover rtry- which is to be expected if you are playing a high intensity attacking game for the fist time in five years- the more we play this game, teh elss mistakes wew will make in attack, teh less turnover tries they will get.
There were still a few kick chases – a bit of variation is still needed – but they were better executed, and a much smaller ratio of them to our total possession. MUCH better approach to teh game. More total rugby-like. Our past game plan was a dumb kick-chase-at all-costs approach – predictable and ineffective.
30 Aug 2010, 09:40 am
Crappy article, highlights the what ifs from a Aussie perspective without taking into account the Boks. What if Habana did not miss the kick offs ? What if We did not allow them the early tries , what if we did not give away a crucial penalty in the 63rd minute ? What if what if etc etc.
How Is the Aussies on that upward curve bit we are on a downward ? Did we just not comeback from a very bad start ? Did you not witness the character of this team ? Did you note see the diffs in our forwards when the coaches finally conceded that Smit cannot last a 60 minute game never mind a 80 minute one.
I concede that SA rugby us not what it can be , nut downward curve ? Sounds like another attempt on PDV reign.
Maybe you should stick to open secrets……….lol
30 Aug 2010, 09:50 am
@grant10(grant10)-2: What a git. Did you even watch the game? Morne was brilliant. Your man, Frans was terrible, as was Habanna. Chilli looked good when he came on, but benching is a different story to starting. Hopefully Bissie takes his place on the bench this week.
30 Aug 2010, 09:54 am
@Ratel Brussow(Morne Steyn is under-rated)-16: Frans Steyn was poor….not conditioned at all….should not have played…..as i said all week prior to test if you opened your eyes blind bat….
MS was better …but we all know he shines at Loftus….its when he leaves SA that he folds like a al dente noodle….
Bissy should be on bench with Chilli starting…..till Bissy 100 %….
But we all know it wont happen.
Habana needs a long break…..as do a few others…..most obviously Smit…..who may just surprise us if left to rest and condition for 3 or 4 months…
30 Aug 2010, 09:58 am
@grant10(grant10)-2: Did you see Frans had more chins than the Chinese telephone directory!!
30 Aug 2010, 10:00 am
@carol(carol)-18: LOL
Outta here
squash calls….
cheers
30 Aug 2010, 10:05 am
@grant10(grant10)-19: See you!
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