Wallabies resist late Welsh surge
9 Jun 2012
JON CARDINELLI reports on Australia’s 27-19 victory over Wales in Brisbane on Saturday.
Following the embarrassing loss to Scotland on Tuesday, the Wallabies would have been looking to make a statement via a powerful performance against Wales. They got it right in patches in Saturday’s series opener, dominating the first half and then finishing strongly in the final 15 minutes.
It was not the typical razzle-dazzle that produced the desired result, but rather a more combative attitude at the collisions and smarter tactical game. While the Wallabies still managed to finish two of their three tries in spectacular fashion, they were mindful of the abrasive Welsh defence and that it would take patience as well as physicality to break down the red and white wall.
The visitors were outplayed at the collisions, and this allowed Wallabies fetcher David Pocock to edge opposite number Sam Warburton at the breakdown. Pocock weighed in with some important breakdown steals, and it was his omnipresence at the rucks that slowed the recycle when the Welsh were in possession. This blunted the Welsh attack, and made it easier for the Wallabies to defend.
The Suncorp Stadium track is conducive to running rugby, and Wales seemed mindful of the Wallabies’ strengths out wide. They attempted to keep the hosts honest in the wider channels but neglected to mark the area around the ruck. And it was here where the Wallabies punished them, a series of pick-and-goes resulting in a try for Scott Higginbotham in the 16th minute.
Wales would fight back at the end of the first half, if only to ensure the scoreline remained at a respectable 10-3. But they lapsed badly at the start of the second stanza, their focus on wide defence once again compromising their defence around the ruck.
Will Genia exploited this space expertly and then effected an outrageous side-step to negotiate the last line of defence. The finish was a moment of individual brilliance and highlighted Genia’s running threat, but again the Wallabies had done well to work themselves into a good field position before launching an assault.
Apart from his try, Genia looked every bit the general in the No 9 position. When the Wallabies built some momentum through the forwards, his delivery from the base served to quicken the tempo and further stretch the Welsh defence.
His tactical kicking also put the Welsh under pressure, as did that of flyhalf Berrick Barnes. Barnes showed good composure and execution in this fixture, placing rolling probes and high-hanging kicks in positions where team-mates could contest and in some instances regain possession. It was a massive improvement on Tuesday’s performance against Scotland.
The game looked to be the Wallabies’ to lose after Genia’s try had extended the lead to 17-3. But the cool goal-kicking of Wales fullback Leigh Halfpenny and the fighting spirit of the Welsh pack allowed the visitors to narrow the deficit.
It served to show just how important Genia’s strike was in the context of the game. The Wallabies had played a draining Test against Scotland four days previously, and it was evident that a few players began to tire in the second half against Wales. The Wallabies were not as effective at controlling the ball at close quarters, and as the game grew looser, Wales came into their own.
Wing Alex Cuthbert had been outstanding for the visitors and it was his try that really brought the Dragons in sight of an upset. The ball went loose at a ruck and was subsequently hacked behind the Aussie defence. Cuthbert eventually got his hands on the ball to finish, and another great conversion by Halfpenny took the score to 20-16.
Wales butchered a try-scoring opportunity moments later. They had the Wallabies’ defence stretched but just couldn’t get the ball through the hands. They were then awarded a penalty which Halfpenny duly slotted, but looking back, that missed try was costly. Five or seven points would have taken them into the lead. As it was, three points saw them still trailing at 20-19.
In the final minutes, the Wallabies rediscovered their composure. The forwards controlled the ball well, and the halfbacks kicked the team into good field positions.
The hosts kept it close, hammering away at the Welsh defence until Pat McCabe ran a great angle to score under the posts. At 27-19, the game was over as a contest.
The result sees Australia taking a 1-0 lead in the three-Test series. Wales will need to produce a more consistent defensive effort and indeed a stronger showing at the collisions if they are going to bounce back in next week’s match.
161 Comments
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9 Jun 2012, 11:22 am
Dragons to take it!
9 Jun 2012, 11:35 am
close game today but if Wales lose this game they will be gone for the series….it won’t be a contest. If Wales win then it is gonna be fantastic series with the wallabies to win.
9 Jun 2012, 11:38 am
I see they are proclaiming Mike Phillips as the greatest scrumhalf in the world. *sigh*
9 Jun 2012, 11:46 am
@wallabie.(wallabie.)-2: Howzit Walla,
How you see it going? Have have Wales on bru by 3. I feel it will be close.
Not totally sure though.
9 Jun 2012, 12:06 pm
Dragons to moer these convicts 6 love.
9 Jun 2012, 12:15 pm
@Nanashi(Nanashi)-1: I see what you did there…
9 Jun 2012, 12:17 pm
What position to Craig Joubert play, he looks like he played THead, at least he seems to know what’s happening in the front row, which is more than anyone else on earth does… these referees are amazing
9 Jun 2012, 12:19 pm
Why did he not pass… I would beat him hard at half time
9 Jun 2012, 12:24 pm
Puma
I am well. just still feeling cold from watching Tuesday nights game on TV.
I think it will be determined if the wallabies forwards turn up tonight…if they do it will be lights out by the 60th minute. if not it could go either way at the 89th minute..
9 Jun 2012, 12:32 pm
Anybody think Wales can win this???
Oh sorry, I see everybody does.
Damn, I wish I selected Aus on bru.
9 Jun 2012, 12:34 pm
No scrumhalf in the world to touch Genia at this stage. Even the excellent Mike Phillips looks like a carthorse in comparison.
9 Jun 2012, 12:49 pm
@Robzim(Robzim)-11:
Genia putting up a masterly display here. Showing Phillips who really is the best SH in the world.
Wales need to cramp his space if they want to win this game.
9 Jun 2012, 12:49 pm
Wow boos from the crowd. its been a messy game but loving the breakdown battle between the two skippers. Master class earlier by O’Brien and now Pocock and Warburton, Brussouw must be the unluckiest of the lot. Best pilferer imho.
9 Jun 2012, 12:49 pm
Ja, crowning Phillips proved to be a bit premature.
9 Jun 2012, 12:50 pm
Was in Toronto recently & saw a bumper sticker on a parked car: “I miss South Africa.”
So I smashed a window took the radio and left a note which read: “Hope this helps.”
9 Jun 2012, 12:53 pm
Still have Hougaard as numero uno for mine. Genia third. But hes outplaying number four by a mile.
9 Jun 2012, 12:55 pm
@CSI:Rugby(CSI:Rugby)-16: Smoking
9 Jun 2012, 12:59 pm
GENIAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!
The man is on fire!!!
9 Jun 2012, 13:00 pm
Non smoker
9 Jun 2012, 13:00 pm
@CSI:Rugby(CSI:Rugby)-16:
Imo you cannot compare Hougaardt with these blokes as he must still prove himself at test level in this position.
9 Jun 2012, 13:02 pm
@CSI:Rugby(CSI:Rugby)-16:
Hougaard no.1???
Jeez boy. Do you even watch rugby?
9 Jun 2012, 13:06 pm
How refreshing after yesterday’s mudpolo to watch 2 Tests in a row played on a good pitch in decent weather.
9 Jun 2012, 13:06 pm
Commentators on Halfpenny: “Small player but so nippy.”
Guess he would never have made it in Heyneke’s team.
9 Jun 2012, 13:06 pm
Fair point. But he still plays well in a losing team, outplays all SH’s in S15 and played sub to another great in FdP and a victim of the last regimes circus act.
9 Jun 2012, 13:10 pm
@nama1(nama1)-23: Imagine what Fullpenny would be.
9 Jun 2012, 13:10 pm
@nama1(nama1)-21: yep. Number one. You can have have Genia.
9 Jun 2012, 13:11 pm
I really thought Wales would be a little more accurate and competitive.
9 Jun 2012, 13:12 pm
Nice skills by the Welsh.
9 Jun 2012, 13:13 pm
@Nils(Nils)-22:
I was invited to drive down to Cape Town to watch the games yesterday.
Boy, am I glad I did not go.
See that they are going to move the games from Stellenbosch to Newlands or Cape Town Stadium.
A good move if you ask me.
The 1st loss for the Baby Blacks in how many games?
9 Jun 2012, 13:14 pm
Boks better not let the SH down… Wallabies making the 6N champs look average!
9 Jun 2012, 13:18 pm
pop up look marginally forward.
9 Jun 2012, 13:18 pm
@nama1(nama1)-29:
The attendance at the junior world cup is quite disappointing.It also does not help that the junior boks play stone age rugby- obviously they were better against the useless Italians but i can assure you that it will be back to kick, bash and chase against England.
9 Jun 2012, 13:19 pm
wallaby forwards are tiring!
9 Jun 2012, 13:20 pm
Beautiful, beautiful pass.
Support running line just as good.
Game on. Aus dominating but Wales are still in it.
9 Jun 2012, 13:20 pm
Australian rugby in tatters
9 Jun 2012, 13:21 pm
@Robzim(Robzim)-32: I thought the same. Unbelievably poor rugby from the juniors. Plus the coach is playing guys out of position.
9 Jun 2012, 13:23 pm
wales fighting back hard, only 1 point in it now
imagine another wallaby loss??
9 Jun 2012, 13:23 pm
Now it’s interesting.
9 Jun 2012, 13:30 pm
@nama1(nama1)-29: I wondered whether sh*te weather was only in the Western Cape or it is a nationalwide as I have heard Durban had/have or expects rainlashes today, as well. What do you think, can we expect good weather in the evening there?
That Blacks-Dragons game was played in exually atrocious conditions than poor Ozzmob had to endure vs happy as a piggies-in-the-dirt Jocks, while Wallabitas-Pumitas game seemed to be played in the mud right from the start.
I guess it was the first in 22 games (4 x 5 + now 2). The loss had to happen one day. Although that long winning streak was not unusual – Blacks hardly met superserious opposition in the pool stages and for 4 straight titles they by default had to win all their playoff games vs big boys.
9 Jun 2012, 13:31 pm
Michael Hooper is making a huge difference already.
9 Jun 2012, 13:33 pm
Aussies should win. Team of their calibre cannot lose at home twice in a row to the northerners – even when most of their players are on the pitch for the 3rd time in 7 days.
9 Jun 2012, 13:40 pm
@Nils(Nils)-39:
They predict a temperature of 19 degrees Celcius with some clouds in the sky for Durban. No rain.
Good rugby weather I would think.
Where I live, on the western part of SA, it is freakin cold right now.
Aus going to take this. Wales not using their chances.
9 Jun 2012, 13:41 pm
congrats Aus and NZ, now the Springboks just need to do their part…
9 Jun 2012, 13:41 pm
deans is playing both pocock & hooper, yet ou coach says ‘fetchers’ are obsolete
9 Jun 2012, 13:42 pm
Great game. Well done to both teams.
9 Jun 2012, 13:44 pm
Aus vs Wales probably going to be the best series of the lot.
Well done Aus.
9 Jun 2012, 13:47 pm
@nama1(nama1)-42: Sounds nice weather, bring it on!
And well done Aussies, good rebound.
9 Jun 2012, 13:47 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-44: come on stop whinging – Kolisi is not a fetcher he is a retreaded 8th man playing out of position.
The only real fetchers in SA is Brussow and agiles guy – these players do not fit into Heineken’s plan.
Get it.
9 Jun 2012, 13:48 pm
Oh and well played convicts – now go and make it two nil.
9 Jun 2012, 13:50 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-44:
Jaaa boet.
That’s how we roll in good, ols SA.
We only use them to fetch our beer.
Only heard Warburton’s name when he was called for the after match interview. With both Pocock and Hooper in the Aus team, I now understand why.
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