Springboks spring back to down gallant Wallabies. – BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE. (eLanka Sports Editor).
The Wallabies have boldly announced their accent to respect and new found recognition despite going down in game two of the World Rugby Championship 30-22 to the Springboks in Cape Town.
Crucial injuries early in the game to brilliant fullback Tom Wright and Nic White in the first ten minutes, and then centre Joseph Suualii before half time, took the sting off the Wallabies attack structure and threw the backline into disarray. But it did little to curb the intensity and confidence of a team heading north.
It was a game of contrasts where the Springboks tried to outmuscle the Wallabies out of the game. They had some success in this respect to pull away to a 20-10 lead at the half.
But the gallant Wallabies fought back in similar fashion to game one to put 12 points in the second session to the Springboks 10 in a facinating contest that gave the tourists a happy reflection of the tied series which the Wallabies were a bonus point ahead in the Rugby Championship.
Springbok skipper Jessie Kriel filling in for regular Siya Kolisi, was estatic with the win saying, “It was a proper Test match. The guys really got stuck in”. He attributed the return of some experienced players made the difference.
Wallabies stand in skipper Fraser McReight was impressed with his boys as well saying, we have got a great squad mentality. The bench boys came on really well. It clearly shows the quality of our group”.
Both teams crossed the goal line on three occasions but penalties decided the outcome.
The supremely confident Springboks with a full complement of players returning to the line-up, found things no easier than game one as the Wallabies structure countered them without fear.
What was implictly clear is that the Springboks and the rest of the world of rugby has now realised that beating the Wallabies is not a given anymore. The All Blacks must certainly have taken notice before their upcoming Bledisloe Cup encounters looming.
Since game three against the British and Irish Lions, the Wallabies under Joe Schmidt’s astute direction, have found a new purpose for pulling on the Gold jersey which signifies pride, determination and typical Aussie grit.
The Springboks are on top of world rugby for reasons well documented, mostly built on sheer power, superior skills and a brilliant coach in Rassie Erasmus who is a strategist with gifted acumen.
Their rise to the top has not been accidental, but through hard work and unshakeable self belief.
It’s a trait the new look Wallabies are quickly developing.
South Africa took game two on the back of some slick rugby to level the series but it wasn’t until the last ten minutes that the outcome was really established.
Pivotal to the Springboks win was veteran Handre Pollard whose return proved decisive.
Replacing Manie Libbok, he led the backline with maturity and cunning, using his input to nullify the dangerous Wallabies backs who made the difference in game one.
Pollard kicked three penalties and converted three tries while his counterpart James O’Connor had an off day with the boot and could have made the outcome different.
The Rugby Championship looks set to be closely contested after the Pumas made a spirited comeback to down the All Blacks and level their contest.
