The code has been to hell and back over the past two years but Sunday’s nail biting 16-16 draw with New Zealand has ushered in a new era of hope for long-suffering Wallaby supporters.
True to his word, new coach Dave Rennie delivered in his first match in charge, masterminding what should have been Australia’s first win over the All Blacks on New Zealand soil in 19 years.
It was only the dud officiating and a coat of paint after Reece Hodge’s long-range penalty struck the post that saw the teams share the spoils but make no mistake about it.
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This was a moral victory for the Wallabies and a dagger to the heart of the arrogant New Zealand officials who said Australia’s players aren’t good enough to share the same field as them.
The All Blacks’ aura has been tarnished but they will come back harder than ever in next week’s second test at Eden Park but with the final two matches of the four game series to be played in Australia, the Bledisloe Cup could be heading back to Australian shores sooner than most people expected.
No-one gave the Wallabies a shot at beating the All Blacks but under Rennie, they produced the sort of performance that the game’s followers have been crying out for years.
The fancy moves and the desperate hail-Mary plays that have made the Wallabies easybeats for teams with half a brain were non-existent as the team went back to basics, tackling themselves to a standstill and keeping themselves in the contest through sheer force of will and astute kicking.
Trailing by 10 points after the All Blacks scored the first two tries - neither which should have been allowed - through Jordie Barrett and Aaron Smith, the Wallabies could easily have reverted back to their old ways but instead they knuckled down and replied with two electrifying tries of their own - from Marika Marika Koroeibete and Filipo Daugunu - to set up a grandstand finish.
A penalty from James O’Connor gave the Wallabies a 16-13 lead which Barrett cancelled out with a three-pointer in the last minute of regular time, but that wasn’t the end of the drama.
Hodge attempted a penalty from 60 metres out that would have won the game before a mix up over who should try for a field goal ended with the Wallabies losing possession then defending their own line as though their lives depended on it just to salvage a draw.
“We were under the pump early but I thought we defended well for big chunks of the game,” Rennie said.
“We were able to apply pressure through our kick game and scored a couple of good tries at important times. We had our chance right at the death. It went off the post and then Rabs (O’Connor) was setting up for a drop goal and we ended up going wider. Then we had to suffer over the last couple over the last couple of minutes.“
The real promise for the Wallabies is that they will only get better as they spend more time together and they were far from satisfied with the draw, admitting they had areas to work on, particularly at the lineout and the breakdown.
Three players - Daugunu, Harry Wilson and Hunter Paisami - all made their test debuts and looked right at home in the suffocating pressure cooker of international rugby.
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And there are plenty more waiting in the wings, giving skipper Michael Hooper something to savour from the bittersweet finish to his 100th appearance in the gold jersey.
“It was a good start,” he said. “I’m very proud of our team to fight all the way.
“We’ll go again next week at Eden Park and we’re up for the challenge. We played on top of them pretty well in the second half which was enjoyable.
“They found some space there, some good kicking options, a lot to like there. God I would have liked to close it out though.
"I won't forget that one in a hurry - that was wild at the end."
Originally published as Bledisloe Cup 2020: Wallabies robbed by officials in stunning draw against All Blacks
Updates
Incredible! The Wallabies awarded a penalty 55m out just left of the posts. Enter superboot Reece Hodge! HOOOOODGE! It's there ….Nooooo it's hit the post! Australia snatches possession. Blow the penalty, hands in the ruck. Shocking refereeing.
"Oh, it has hit the post. It is a penalty to Australia! ."
"Australia still with a chance to win the game. Field goal. Field goal. Out the back they go. To'omua. Field goal. O'Connor, set for a field goal.
All Blacks survive and earn a penalty."
86 minutes with the Wallabies on the attack! Oh no! Australia lose position and the ABs are on the attack. This will be heartbreaking for Australia if they lose from here. 87 minutes. New Zealand knock on! The referee doesn't call it. Australia in possession but Koroibete has it stripped! SIMPLY INCREDIBLE GAME OF TEST MATCH RUGBY. Australia survive one of the greatest finishes to a Test in rugby union's long history. Who says rugby is dead! The Dave Rennie era has begun.
"I think it is a great escape by New Zealand, but then in the end the same applies to Australia. These two teams have played themselves to a standstill. It is a 16-all draw."
The skills at the end there, just have a look at the rain that is coming down there. They've gone for 87 minutes. Wow! You talk about courage and making a statement. The Wallabies under the new coach, have certainly delivered that today.
"The Wallabies stride forward today and they gave everything in this match. Even when New Zealand threatened to pinch it at the end, but so much bravery and valour from the men in gold. To'omua had a mighty match, but every Australian player did their bit."
REFEREEING DEBACLE
For the first time in 40 years, a Kiwi was the man in the middle – SANZAAR might want to rethink that. The man in question, Paul Williams, is coming under serious fire after a shocking display with the whistle. Australia should have won that game.
*Rieko Ioane's foot in touch in lead-up to the first try
*Kiwi ref Williams missed several ABs ruck infringements – including one after Reece Hodge's missed penalty after the siren
FULL TIME: ALL BLACKS 16, WALLABIES 16
Incredible! The Wallabies awarded a penalty 55m out just left of the posts. Enter superboot Reece Hodge! HOOOOODGE! It's there ….Nooooo it's hit the post! Australia snatches possession. Blow the penalty, hands in the ruck. Shocking refereeing.
"Oh, it has hit the post. It is a penalty to Australia! ."
"Australia still with a chance to win the game. Field goal. Field goal. Out the back they go. To'omua. Field goal. O'Connor, set for a field goal.
All Blacks survive and earn a penalty."
86 minutes with the Wallabies on the attack! Oh no! Australia lose position and the ABs are on the attack. This will be heartbreaking for Australia if they lose from here. 87 minutes. New Zealand knock on! The referee doesn't call it. Australia in possession but Koroibete has it stripped! SIMPLY INCREDIBLE GAME OF TEST MATCH RUGBY. Australia survive one of the greatest finishes to a Test in rugby union's long history. Who says rugby is dead! The Dave Rennie era has begun.
"I think it is a great escape by New Zealand, but then in the end the same applies to Australia. These two teams have played themselves to a standstill. It is a 16-all draw."
The skills at the end there, just have a look at the rain that is coming down there. They've gone for 87 minutes. Wow! You talk about courage and making a statement. The Wallabies under the new coach, have certainly delivered that today.
"The Wallabies stride forward today and they gave everything in this match. Even when New Zealand threatened to pinch it at the end, but so much bravery and valour from the men in gold. To'omua had a mighty match, but every Australian player did their bit."
REFEREEING DEBACLE
For the first time in 40 years, a Kiwi was the man in the middle – SANZAAR might want to rethink that. The man in question, Paul Williams, is coming under serious fire after a shocking display with the whistle. Australia should have won that game.
*Rieko Ioane's foot in touch in lead-up to the first try
*Kiwi ref Williams missed several ABs ruck infringements – including one after Reece Hodge's missed penalty after the siren
FULL TIME: ALL BLACKS 16, WALLABIES 16
DANGER ZONE. The All Blacks on the attack with a lineout from 20 out. NO ADVANTAGE! What was Rob Simmons thinking? That is simply inexcusable. Penalised for changing his bind in the maul. He was warned several times. Jordie Barrett drills the penalty and it's 16-16 with two to play.
REFEREE: Advantage!
"Oh, you're kidding!"
"They will come back for the penalty. I think he has said that Rob Simmons changed his bind.
REFEREE: Changing the bind in the maul.You've got to stay bound in that maul. You've got to come through the middle.
REFEREE: I did ask you to get out.
"And this is a gift 3 points then for the All Blacks with two minutes to go. Simmons feeling he was unjustly treated there, but the referee was right there. He did warn. He said that he changed his bind. He looked to be wedged in there.
"Was he swimming around? Let's have a close look here. The referee will penalise a player who swims around the driving maul, and there he is coming around there."
DANGER ZONE. The All Blacks on the attack with a lineout from 20 out. NO ADVANTAGE! What was Rob Simmons thinking? That is simply inexcusable. Penalised for changing his bind in the maul. He was warned several times. Jordie Barrett drills the penalty and it's 16-16 with two to play.
REFEREE: Advantage!
"Oh, you're kidding!"
"They will come back for the penalty. I think he has said that Rob Simmons changed his bind.
REFEREE: Changing the bind in the maul.You've got to stay bound in that maul. You've got to come through the middle.
REFEREE: I did ask you to get out.
"And this is a gift 3 points then for the All Blacks with two minutes to go. Simmons feeling he was unjustly treated there, but the referee was right there. He did warn. He said that he changed his bind. He looked to be wedged in there.
"Was he swimming around? Let's have a close look here. The referee will penalise a player who swims around the driving maul, and there he is coming around there."
Danger time for Australia as the heavens open up over the Wellington Cake Tin. This is where the ABs have been so, so good over the years – finding something special with the game on the line. PENALTY! Jordie Barrett should drill this from 40 out directly in front. He was odds on to split the posts there. Huge let off for the Wallabies.
WHAT A 22 METRE DROP OUT! it goes 70 and the Wallabies are in prime field position after McKenzie shanks it. PENALTY! Finally a breakdown pen for the visitors. JOC DRILLS IT and the Wallabies are leading Bledisloe 1!
"James O'Connor – does he have the fate of this first Bledisloe Cup test match right here? Six minutes to go. Some muffled booing from the Cape Town crowd. It's white noise."
"A wry smile from O'Connor. He loves it and so, too, the Wallaby fans because they have hit the lead! 16 plays 13. Less than 6 minutes remaining. Remember, the Wallabies haven't won in New Zealand since 2001 against the All Blacks."
ALL BLACKS 13, WALLABIES 16
Danger time for Australia as the heavens open up over the Wellington Cake Tin. This is where the ABs have been so, so good over the years – finding something special with the game on the line. PENALTY! Jordie Barrett should drill this from 40 out directly in front. He was odds on to split the posts there. Huge let off for the Wallabies.
WHAT A 22 METRE DROP OUT! it goes 70 and the Wallabies are in prime field position after McKenzie shanks it. PENALTY! Finally a breakdown pen for the visitors. JOC DRILLS IT and the Wallabies are leading Bledisloe 1!
"James O'Connor – does he have the fate of this first Bledisloe Cup test match right here? Six minutes to go. Some muffled booing from the Cape Town crowd. It's white noise."
"A wry smile from O'Connor. He loves it and so, too, the Wallaby fans because they have hit the lead! 16 plays 13. Less than 6 minutes remaining. Remember, the Wallabies haven't won in New Zealand since 2001 against the All Blacks."
ALL BLACKS 13, WALLABIES 16
INCREDIBLE STUFF! White, O'Connor with lovely use of the short side before they spread to the right-hand side. WHAT A PASS FROM NIC WHITE to Filipo Daugunu who crashes over.
White pounces on a loose ball at the breakdown before flicking it to his winger. JOC can't convert and it's all locked up.
"That is great by James O'Connor, the momentum of going forward. The
ball that shot out was from McKenzie. He was in an offside position when it came in from the side. Ball is out. Play on. Great ball, Nic White. It all happened too quick!"
"And how good has Philip been with his carries in this second half?
What a ball!
"The crowd is stunned. They are venting their disapproval."
Australia hasn't won on New Zealand soil in 24 matches … anyone get on the Wallies at $8? Hats off if ya did!
ALL BLACKS 13, WALLABIES 13 with 15 to go
INCREDIBLE STUFF! White, O'Connor with lovely use of the short side before they spread to the right-hand side. WHAT A PASS FROM NIC WHITE to Filipo Daugunu who crashes over.
White pounces on a loose ball at the breakdown before flicking it to his winger. JOC can't convert and it's all locked up.
"That is great by James O'Connor, the momentum of going forward. The
ball that shot out was from McKenzie. He was in an offside position when it came in from the side. Ball is out. Play on. Great ball, Nic White. It all happened too quick!"
"And how good has Philip been with his carries in this second half?
What a ball!
"The crowd is stunned. They are venting their disapproval."
Australia hasn't won on New Zealand soil in 24 matches … anyone get on the Wallies at $8? Hats off if ya did!
ALL BLACKS 13, WALLABIES 13 with 15 to go
ON THE BUST! Koroibete cleans up a loose ball after a sickening hit from Hunter Paisami, toes it ahead … HOOPER! The Aussie skipper is run down but it's Australia on the attack. OH NO! Shocking grubber kick into the in-goal and McKenzie grounds it to force the 22 drop out. Terrible option Toomua.
20 minutes left in Bledisloe 1.
ON THE BUST! Koroibete cleans up a loose ball after a sickening hit from Hunter Paisami, toes it ahead … HOOPER! The Aussie skipper is run down but it's Australia on the attack. OH NO! Shocking grubber kick into the in-goal and McKenzie grounds it to force the 22 drop out. Terrible option Toomua.
20 minutes left in Bledisloe 1.
