Resurgent Wallabies celebrate Bok-to-Bok victories
The Wallabies have shown last week’s victory over the Springboks wasn’t a fluke as Michael Hooper’s men once again stunned the world champions in style and in doing so, climbed to third on the world rankings.
Australia’s 30-17 win at Suncorp Stadium came off the back of a dogged defensive display, with the Wallabies making 96 per cent of their tackles against a side known for its physicality.
Australian No.13 Len Ikitau went six Tests without a five-pointer but pulled off two tries within seven minutes in the first half to fill the Wallabies with confidence they could orchestrate a second boilover in as many weeks.
Australia led 18-17 in the 62nd minute before a magical moment from Taniela Tupou in front of a vociferous Suncorp Stadium crowd.
The big prop, having already put in a huge shift, darted away down the left edge before throwing a wonderful no-look flick pass to Marika Koroibete on his outside.
The winger’s five-pointer and Quade Cooper’s conversion gave the Wallabies an eight-point advantage before Koroibete added another try in breathtaking fashion, which started with a Reece Hodge turnover, to put Australia ahead by 13 points and in the box seat.
Australia’s Len Ikitau, left, is congratulated by teammates after scoring his first Test try.Credit:AP
Despite a frantic final period, Australia held on for a famous win.
Hooper’s milestone Test – his 60th as Wallabies captain – would have made the man whose record he beat, George Gregan, thrilled to say the least.
The skipper’s 73rd-minute breakdown penalty typified his incredible work ethic.
Quade Cooper, coming off a 23-point haul last week in his remarkable comeback Test, didn’t have as big of an impact, largely because Australia had less possession.
He recovered from a poke in the eye to steer the team around the field and seal a win that many will regard as better than last week’s 28-26 victory.
It was the first time Australia have recorded back-to-back wins against South Africa since 2016.
Australia’s forwards were superior at the breakdown and importantly, made their tackles.
The Springboks had not lost consecutive Tests since late 2018, but have certainly been brought back to earth.
Australia have maintained their eight-year winning record against South Africa on home soil and now have 10 straight wins at Suncorp Stadium.
South Africa played with the ferocity and accuracy of a side whose No.1 world ranking was in danger of slipping away.
After an energy-sapping opening period on a fast Suncorp Stadium track, Ikitau scored his first Test try in the 14th minute shortly after a Faf de Klerk yellow card.
Cooper showed he was man, not machine, by missing a relatively easy conversion that was magnified when Handrè Pollard kicked a penalty to make it 5-3 the way of Australia.
Australia certainly respected South Africa but their opponents’ World Cup-winning aura has evaporated as the men in gold went further ahead thanks to another Ikitau try that began in Cooper’s hands.
After being plucked from Super Rugby obscurity last year, Ikitau’s progression has been so impressive that Hunter Paisami will find it hard to make a Wallabies XV again in two remaining Rugby Championship matches against Argentina.
A moment of madness was avoided when Lachlan Swinton was initially penalised for a no-arms hit on Duane Vermeulen. Replays showed initial contact was shoulder-on-shoulder, before head-on-head, but referee Matthew Carley was oblivious to this fact.
He had to be talked out of a red card – and international headlines – by TMO Brett Cronan. It was almost Swinton’s second red card at the venue after his infamous Test debut last year when he was sent from the field.
South Africa lifted their intensity during Swinton’s 10-minute rest but Australia showed resilience in defence to lead 15-12 at the break.
The Wallabies will almost certainly be without Tom Banks next week after he suffered a suspected broken arm in the 28th minute and was taken to hospital.
A Samu Kerevi high tackle gave South Africa a penalty advantage and De Klerk kicked in behind for Lukhanyo Am to score and help the visitors take the lead for the first time.
But a gutsy fightback from the Wallabies showed why this team is moving in the right direction.
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