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'It's not just a game, it's personal' - an emotional Cheika tries to explain Australia's 24 point comeback

By Online Editors

The Qantas Wallabies have completed the biggest comeback in their history to beat Argentina 45-34 at altitude in Salta last night, and going on Michael Cheika’s reaction at half-time, this win meant a lot.

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Two tries to fullback Dane Haylett-Petty sealed the win, which sees Australia finish third in the Mitsubishi Estate Rugby Championship.

The Wallabies trailed by 24 points at the main break, with a try inside the opening two minutes by surging back rower Pablo Matera sparking a four-try first half blitz from the Pumas, who by the half time whistle had already registered their highest Test score against Australia.

Going into the dressing rooms at 31-7 down, the response from the men in gold was emphatic as they ran in five unanswered second half tries to run away with the most unlikely of victories.

Putting a frantic and panicked first half performance behind them, the turnaround kicked-started four minutes after the break when Michael Hooper’s chargedown close to the line gifted Izack Rodda his first Test try.

Israel Folau then chimed in on the act as he swerved through the middle and dotted down under the posts after the Wallabies had built 11 phases of attack. Another patient build-up three minutes later allowed Dane Haylett-Petty to cross for the first of his second half double.

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A powerful effort from David Pocock, who cleaned up a loose ball and carried three defenders over the line, set up the first lead of the match for the visitors, and they never looked back. Pocock was again involved in Haylett-Petty’s second, turning the ball back to the Wallabies fullback after he had batted a Bernard Foley cross-field kick back inside.

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The second half comeback was the largest ever in a Rugby Championship Test, and meant that the Wallabies avoided finishing in last position in the 2018 tournament.

Haylett-Petty took man of the match honours, but it was the Wallabies leaders who stood up when it mattered most and sparked a remarkable fightback.

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Trevor 33 minutes ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

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B
Bull Shark 4 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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