‘Problem solve on the run’: Inside the Wallabies’ 11-man fight for victory

Jeremy Williams took over the captaincy as an undermanned Wallabies looked to protect their lead against the Springboks in Perth. It was a 25-point ball game with less than 15 minutes left, but four yellow cards and three converted tries had the Test in the balance.

“Problem solve on the run,” Williams explained post-game, after the Wallabies hung on for a 42-38 win, despite going down to 11 men. Harry Wilson, Ryan Lonergan, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii and Hunter Paisami had been shown yellow cards during the final quarter.

The Wallabies needed to win by more than 15 to leapfrog England on the World Rugby rankings, and the men in gold had been on track for that as full-time neared. Jorgensen raced away for a statement try, before a wild finish ensued at Perth’s Optus Stadium.

Ox Nche crashed over for South Africa’s third try in quick succession, making it a one-score game with time still left on the clock. Williams had taken over as Wallabies skipper during that chaotic period, before Wilson returned to the field for the final play.

The Springboks looked to run the ball from out their own half, but an obstruction brought an end to the thriller, with the Wallabies awarded a penalty. It’s seen the Aussies extend their unbeaten run to six Tests, with five coming under coach Les Kiss.

“Awesome to get the win, obviously. We’re down to 11 and the boys showed care and connection out there and we dug deep for each other and go away with the win,” Williams told reporters.

“It’s an awesome feeling.

“It’s not something I’ve experienced before but there were heaps of guys out there that I could lean on.”

Williams had been immense at the lineout, stealing the ball on South Africa’s throw during the second half and then stepping up as a leader late. Wilson, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and Brandon Paenga-Amosa also stood tall during a titanic shift from the pack.

The Wallabies had been dealt a blow on the eve of the Test, with lineout caller Josh Canham ruled out with a minor hamstring strain. Salakaia-Loto was brought into the starting side, while Lachlan Shaw was named on the bench.

Eben Etzebeth and Franco Mostert started the 2023 Rugby World Cup Final, and the experienced second-rowers started again last weekend in Perth. It’s a tough task, but the duo of Salakaia-Loto and Williams rose to the occasion.

“You’ve just got to take every game as it comes. We’ve got work to do and it was a really physical game out there,” Williams said.

“I thought our game plan worked really well but that comes back to the work that we do during the week. We know that we’ve got to train really hard, have good game plans and stick to those. I thought we did a good job of that tonight.”

It’s the first time the Wallabies have gone at least six games unbeaten since 2017, when coach Michael Cheika led the side to a run of five wins and two draws. Joe Schmidt was in charge when the Wallabies got their current streak underway during the July Nations Championship Tests.

The Wallabies claimed a one-sided 57-10 demolition of Italy at Perth’s HBF Park, before Kiss took over ahead of a two-Test series against Eddie Jones’ Brave Blossoms. Australia won both matches, then went to Argentina and made history.

Following a hard-earned six-point win in Jujuy, the Wallabies secured their first-ever series triumph away in Argentina with a 28-all draw in Mendoza. Now, after beating the Boks, the Wallabies turn their focus to the two Bledisloe Cup Tests against the All Blacks.

“It’s been a seamless transition. Les has done an awesome job and the whole coaching staff since they’ve come in,” Williams reflected.

“We’ve just got to keep working hard as a team.

“It’s all about the care we have for each other and that connection. We’ve jut got to work hard a as team and keep ticking on.”