The Wallabies got ruthless when they had to, Nic White silenced some critics, the Aussie back row are well balanced and are those Kiwi nerves?
What are we talking about after that memorable win in Perth?
A GOLDEN RESULT
If you saw that win coming - in that fashion - take a bow.
And then DM me the Powerball numbers this week, because if you tipped the Wallabies to put more points on the All Blacks than any other Test rival since 1903, you have spooky powers.
The All Blacks were at Winx-like odds heading into the game and while many thought a team would win in Perth with 47 points next to their name, they weren’t going to be wearing gold.
But the Wallabies turned in a special performance at the brand new Optus Stadium, and it’ll go down in the Aussie rugby history books as one of the most memorable nights in modern times.
It is a win that was sorely needed for the code and its true believers, in general.
Yes, but what about the red card? The red card changed everything!
And that is true. Of course.
But there are three things to consider with Scott Barrett’s red card.
Inarguably, he did the crime - and his team paid the fine.
But this was an in-game error from Barrett and the consequence was defeat. Australia has paid that same price numerous times against the All Blacks in the Bledisloe Cup. Errors equal defeat. Go back to Dunedin in 2017.
One missed defensive read at the end and New Zealand win the game.
Secondly, winning against 14 men is not a given. It’s a bloody good start but you still have to be good enough to stretch your rivals with skill and pace and tempo to find the space.
And against a team as good as New Zealand, you have to be excellent in all three.
The Wallabies were excellent, as Steve Hansen noted, and after the attacking stutters seen in the last few years, that wasn’t a given.
Thirdly, the Wallabies were a very strong chance to win on the night without the Barrett card.
Australia were the better team in the first half. They dominated possession, dominated the set-piece, and looked dangerous and incisive with the ball in hand.
When Barrett got sent off, the Wallabies were pressing the line and may have gone into the break up 20-12 and with confidence this was their night.
THE WHITE STUFF
There’ll be a few less trolls commenting about the Wallabies on socials in coming days. That’s the power of a win but if it’s going to be a permanent reduction in the online negativity, Australia have to get that Bledisloe Cup back next week.
One guy who has probably quietened down his doubters for good is Nic White, regardless.
White was superb in Perth in a performance that proved the recruitment of quality players back from overseas is worth the time and effort.
The pugnacious halfback's ability to create gaps for himself and for close ball-runners is brilliant, and adds a new level of threat to the Wallabies game. Gone is the reliance on running all play off a ten, miles behind the gainline.
White’s speed and service is sharp but his option-taking is the thing: the Exeter no.9 has a lovely tendency to cut back against the grain to the short side at exactly the time to catch out his rivals.
White’s performance not only shut up his critics, who are still hung up on one kick in 2014, but he proved the Wallabies now have two world-class no.9s. Who gets the starting gig at the World Cup is a doozy.
DEFENCE DONE RIGHT
It may sound weird to pin point the Wallabies’ defence as a highlight on a night they score 47 points, and concede 26, but with another Eden Park mission coming up, the work done without the ball was encouraging.
The Wallabies have changed their defence this year and, going against the world trend of rush D, are using a more patient system designed to minimise the linebreak risk.
After a scratchy start in Johannesburg, it worked well against Argentina but it was said during the week that the real test was against the All Blacks.
The Kiwis, do we need to remind you, have for years feasted on poor defensive decisions by the Wallabies, and fractured chase lines and someone trying to shoot out the line only to get caught horridly out.
In Perth, the Wallabies defended patiently and effectively for very long periods and, mostly, gave the All Blacks no rush-of-blood moments to exploit.
The increased connection and trust in the Wallabies’ defensive line is evident.
Plus, there are some almighty hitters getting into their work, too. Allan Alaalatoa’s first half shot was immense, and guys like Rory Arnold and Lukhan Salakai-Loto are also aiming up.
UM, DAVID POCOCK?
The Wallabies’ new selection panel has been doing strong work so far this year. James O’Connor’s selection at 13 was a good ‘un. Christian Lealiifano was solid again, Nic White starting was an outstanding call and even Tolu Latu was strong in Perth.
But they’ll have to earn their dough when David Pocock becomes available, potentially as soon as this week.
The return of Pocock will force the panel to figure out if they want to run the “Pooper” again, or stick with the bigger backrow of Hooper, Isi Naisarani and Lukhan Salakai-Loto.
And judging from the performances of Naisarani and Salakai-Loto in the last two Tests - and the rock-solid platforms at lineout and scrum time - the best option may well be status quo.
Which means one of Pocock or Hooper on the bench, with one giving half-an-hour of power as a finisher.
Who would get the no.7 though? Tough, tough call.
ALL BLACK WOBBLE
Do we detect just the slightest hint of concern among All Blacks fans about how things are travelling at the moment? Just a bit over a month away from the start of the World Cup, in an epic clash against the Springboks?
Sure, this is an outstanding sporting team but a narrow win, a draw and a loss in the last three games is enough to have Kiwi fans shifting in their seats.
Let alone coaches.
There are now injury/availabiity headaches piling on top of unanswered selection questions.
There’s every chance Scott Barrett will cop a long-enough ban to imperil his World Cup selection, and with Brodie Retallick also injured with no fixed return date, Steve Hansen has to go hunting for more specialist locks.
He’ll also have to determine if he sticks with the experimental 10-15 combination of Richie Mounga over Beauden Barrett, or just returns to the safe old ways of Barrett in the no.10.
Does he stick with the three open sides in his 23 or just go back to a bigger no.6?
These are all questions the All Blacks coaching staff must face this week. And quickly.
Because if there is one thing every All Black player and coach is equally shit-scared about, it’s losing the Bledisloe Cup on their watch.
And that’s a live possibility this week
