Brisbane has been a happy home stomping ground for the Wallabies when playing the Springboks as they have not been beaten there since 1971. However, going into the game, many people would have expected the Wallabies' stomping to have extended at best to grapes in France when they popped over to see Lote for a short sojourn.
The Springboks went back to their English-like kick reliant game and the Wallabies caught a bug that made their legs pump and run forward instead of kick, fumble and run around in circles. The player that caught the worst of the bug was Benn Robinson who appeared to be everywhere doing almost anything, whilst Will Genia proved to be a man on the verge of swine flu with his form. Genia was revelation on his debut. He had one try disallowed himself and also had one assist to Turner disallowed as well. His quick clean passing from the base, not to mention his previously unheralded running game, helped the Wallabies to a very positive approach.
With Genia's passing game spot on, Giteau all of a sudden had time and space to play with the ball and had the wallabies going forward. Having said that, the Wallabies forwards played unlike they have done for the past four Tri Nation games...really good. It must have been the injection of youth and pace (see Pocock and Chisholm) as the coach hasn't changed and nor have his methods.
It was a long overdue entertaining rugby match littered with the occasional poor play and errors that have recently plagued the Wallabies but all in all a temporary return to the days of running rugby. Hopefully it is the turning point the Wallabies need for the rest of the Tri Nations and the the upcoming Spring tour. Similarly, the result also keeps the Tri Nations alive and gives the All Blacks a shot of stealing the trophy from under the Springbok's nose.
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