Fresh off their series loss to the Lions on home turf the Wallabies headed to South Africa last Saturday (Aug 16) for the first Test, with the pre-game thoughts focused on how many points the Springboks would win by.
With the score at 22-0 after 20 minutes, you could be forgiven for thinking 50 would be a starting point. However, DNA is an interesting phenomenon and the Aussies, despite lean years, still have it. Sadly for South Africa, the Wallabies didn’t have to do anything special, other than rely on their DNA to secure a morale-boosting 38-22 victory.
The irascible Springboks coach, Rassie Erasmus, often referred to as the Donald Trump of rugby, now faces a difficult week. Only a resounding win in Cape Town today (Aug 23) will help to erase the memory. A loss and a nation will collapse on its knees.
Elsewhere, the All Blacks continue to be my benchmark for exciting rugby. They travelled to the Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes in Córdoba, Argentina, last Sunday (Aug 17) and came away with an impressive 41-24 win.
Despite a spirited start to the second half, the All Blacks can always rely on quality basic technique to alleviate the pressure. This is not the best All Black side, but it is improving, as the Argentinian scrum will attest to.
Los Pumas had previously defeated the Lions, but then then lost twice to a depleted England team and it is hard to see how the they could realistically improve in just seven days ahead of their Game 2 clash against the Kiwis. If Los Pumas don’t improve, their remaining games will be doubly difficult.
Reverting back to the opening question while reflecting back on the Lions tour, Australia could rightfully state claims to a points win even though they lost the series and avoided a whitewash.
There were nine Irishmen that featured for the Lions in the third and final test against the Wallabies, a 22-12 loss in Sydney, leaving the question of where that positions Ireland exactly?
England has depth of talent, as the series win in Argentina showed, even with a depleted squad, while Scotland and Wales both have limited talent. Scotland has strong backs, but they have not secured victories in major matches. Wales had one representative in the Lions squad, Jac Morgan... he needs some mates.
The Global Rugby Coach, Mike Penistone, is a globally renowned professional rugby coach based in Phuket who is also an ambassador for the Asia Center Foundation, a charity for disadvantaged children. For more information visit: www.rugbycoachingconsultancy.com.