AUSSIES’ SHOCK WIN
THE Wallabies’ long-suffering fans can start believing again that the Bledisloe Cup – and maybe even the World Cup – could soon be coming home after a record-breaking performance last night.
In defiance of all the gloomy pre-match predictions, Michael Cheika’s Australians hammered New Zealand 47-26 in front of a massive crowd of 61,241 at Optus Stadium to offer fresh hope that better times are ahead after 12 months of misery, littered with embarrassing losses and the division over Israel Folau’s exit from the game.
But that was all forgotten last night as the Wallabies posted the highest score any team has ever racked up against the All Blacks, who are badly out of form and out of luck with the World Cup starting in Japan next month.
New Zealand played the entire second half a man down after Scott Barrett was sent off just before the interval so the Wallabies won’t be popping the champagne corks just yet.
But even before he was marched, the Wallabies were on top and looking better than they have in years.
For everyone who loves their rugby played hard, the red card that was handed to Barrett was a blight on the modern game. His “crime” was to lead with his shoulder into a tackle on Wallabies skipper Michael Hooper.
It looked harmless enough but under the letter of the law, referee Jerome Garces had no alternative but to show him red, making Barrett just the fourth All Black to be sent off in a Test.
As much as the old-timers hate the softening up of the game, Barrett’s send-off was a clear reminder of how important discipline will be at the World Cup.
Meanwhile, it took James O’Connor just 10 minutes to validate Cheika’s shock decision to pick him at outside centre.
What seemed like an act of desperation from a coach trying to pull a rabbit out of a hat now looks like a masterstroke that could pay off big at the World Cup.
Although he’s been off the international scene for years and has never started a Test in the No.13 jersey, O’Connor’s always had a touch of X-factor about him and that’s exactly what he brought to the table last night.
His inside pass that set up Reece Hodge’s long-range try was a stroke of genius that will ensure he’s on the plane to Japan, while his versatility, switching between the centres and five-eighth, added a new dimension to the attack.
Halfback Nic White was also brilliant, justifying his selection ahead of Will Genia.