Wallabies jumping with skill and flair
July 26th 2008 23:43
The Wallabies look to be enjoying their Rugby under Deans
The way the Wallabies have grown up since last year is tremendous.
Against the All Blacks (themselves coming off a shocking World Cup), Australia showed up with an enthusiasm worthy of being world champions.
The pressure on the shoulders of new coach Robbie Deans was enormous prior to the encounter against his native New Zealand.
After strolling through his first couple of test matches, Deans could now hold the keys to snaring both the Bledisloe Cup and the Tri-nations trophy from the very nation that dismissed his claim to coach the Kiwis in favour of Graham Henry.
At present, Deans has rolled down the first boulder. A boulder that will no doubt begin an avalanche of success for the Wallabies.
Deans was quick to get rid of the old style of rugby that has plagued Australia’s game for a fair while. It was a style that cost them dearly last year against England in the quarter finals of the World Cup.
Fast forward nine months and the Wallabies are rolling forward, cocking up every bit of skill and determination that comes with being under the influence of Robbie Deans.
His appointment has yielded massive dividends for Australian rugby. Yesterday’s performance against the All Blacks was a move in the right direction for a Wallabies side beginning to flex the skills that made them such a successful side four or so years ago.
All 22 Wallabies that took the field last night did Deans and Australia proud. They were soldiers faced with the task of stopping the juggernaut that is New Zealand rugby and they did it with flair and guts.
As for the All Blacks, Graham Henry could not afford a loss after being in the midst of so much pressure from fans and critics back home.
He simply needed his side to win. End of story.
Although the performance of fly half Dan Carter was composed, the rest of the side played with murder, and the order of the match turned to Australia’s favour.
While Henry’s time at the helm looks forlorn, Deans’ body temperature is warming up by the second.
Getting dizzy like a man not sober, Deans’ international career as a coach could not have started more profoundly.
He was the mastermind in guiding the Wallabies to their best test performance in over two years. He is the man responsible for organising the closure in Australia’s defence which, at long last, looked structured in the face of adversity.
Twenty seconds into last nights encounter, those who watched knew they were in for a treat.
The Wallabies dominated at the break down and Matt Giteau was keen to expose the new era of attacking football developed under Deans.
Inside ten minutes and Australia notch up their first try. League convert Ryan Cross scores with his first touch of a football in a Bledisloe showdown.
From then on, the All Blacks awoke from their slumber and ran. Dan Carter, at times, scattered all defence before him to keep New Zealand close.
The ignorance of wealth in New Zealand rugby rears it head as Mils Muliaina runs down the sideline and chips over the top to eventually score a brilliant individual try.
Crazy play but captivating to watch nonetheless.
Despite the contest being only twenty minutes old, both the All Blacks and Wallabies were locked on and eager to spread the ball when given space and time.
The spirit of Australia though, rained supreme as George Smith made life impossible for New Zealand at the break down.
After what appeared a very confident Wallabies attitude at the start of the second half, the All Blacks respond with a piece of Carter magic to eventually see the All Blacks back in the lead.
Henry could now breath easier, Deans less than so.
But capital punishment was to reign on Henry’s parade as Australia regained the lead, courtesy of Rocky Elsom. A thriller of a showdown was becoming evident.
Rather than let the thrill quiver his troops, Deans wanted more action and allowed Timana Tahu to run out onto the hollowed turf of ANZ stadium and become apart of a history making victory.
No doubt Deans has became the serial assassin the All Blacks have been craving for some time. Only thing is they let him go, unable to pull a trigger on a man who led New Zealand rugby to its worst ever performance in a world cup last year.
In this world of serious business, the Wallabies have been left with the deal that could see them regain the Bledisloe after six years in the wilderness.
On the other side of the Tasman, Graham Henry will be the focal point of discrimination in a nation not too keen with his presence.
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