The Wallabies peaked in Brisbane

Make no mistake about it. The Queensland Red’s players fresh from a Super 15 victory, and the rest of the team buoyed from a rare win over South Africa in the Republic put it together in a scintillating first-half performance to stun the All Blacks.

James Horwill raises the 2nd, and last trophy the Aussies won this year.

A lot was made of that performance in Australian media circles. A tide-turner, were the Wallabies the best in the world? The game was the players’ crowning glory of the season. The emotional force that was exuded in that game has left the Wallabies struggling ever since.

Let’s look at the World Cup performances. Against Italy they got out of the blocks in the second half, eventually running away with it. Against Ireland they got beat fair and square though blamed the ref. Then against the minnows, U.S.A and Russia, they experienced periods where they sunk to the level of these times, even periods where Russia put a considerable amount of points of them.

The Wallabies were rudderless and in cruise control. These performances are not hallmarks of a World Cup winning side, or even one capable of winning a semi-final.

The Wallabies then had a Springbok showdown, minus Frans Steyn. A lot has been made of Brussow; however it was Frans Steyn who held the Springboks fate in his hands. His shoulder injury against Samoa destroyed their chances. The Wallabies did everything they possibly could to lose that game, yet somehow came away with a win. Commentators of the game have praised the tenacity and courage of the young Wallaby team although the reality is they weren’t up to scratch.

These new Wallabies are supposedly the young, battle-hardened breed. Their performance though left a lot to be desired. They made the ageing Springboks look exceptional which is something the Wallabies should not be proud of.

Enough of the World Cup though, and back to the 27th. A good Wallaby outfit bet an understrength All Black outfit, forced to play Whitelock at blindside flanker and an off the pace Muliaina, at the Reds fortress in Brisbane.

Eden Park this Sunday may be a demolition. We are missing Dan Carter from that Brisbane 22, but we have back Kaino, Read, Dagg, Kahui and SBW. In those five players we have the distinct advantage.

The weight of history bears down. Long may the Eden Park Hoodoo continue