WALLABIES VS SPRINGBOKS

Words by Aden Hill

After 19 long years, the International Rugby Union finally returned to South Australia on August 27, with the Wallabies taking on reigning World Cup champions South Africa at the Adelaide Oval. As a fan of rugby (both league and union), I jumped at the chance to finally see the national team in action.

The last time the Wallabies played in Adelaide was during the 2003 World Cup. The Eddie Jones’ coached side, captained by Australian rugby legend George Gregan, cruised to victory 142-0 against Namibia, the largest winning margin in the history of the Rugby World Cup.

Fans were treated to two quality games of rugby over a blockbuster afternoon. First, the Wallaroos (Australia’s women’s rugby team) faced off against their New Zealand rivals the Black Ferns. An entertaining clash saw the Black Ferns finish 22-14 winners, but I for one saw a lot of positive things from the Australian girls.

Then the centrepiece began. 36,336 fans filled the stands as James Slipper led the Wallabies out. The crowd belted out both national anthems, then we settled into our seats for the start of the match, and what a start it was. The opening kick-off the boot of Wallabies halfback Nic White sailed through the air, right down to South Africa, who promptly lost possession of the ball to the rampaging Australians. A couple of quick passes and good footwork saw the Wallabies advance down the field, with openside-flanker Fraser McReight scoring inside the first minute of the game. That really got the crowd on their feet.

Australia, a minute in and already out to a seven-point lead, thanks to the conversion from five-eighth Noah Lolesio, extended their lead through a penalty goal only minutes later. The crowd were then treated to the poor goalkicking skills of South Africa’s Handre Pollard, who missed two relatively straightforward penalties, bringing a chuckle to many. On his third attempt though, Pollard succeeded, making the scores 10-3.

The first half played out, with many penalties being blown by the referee. As the crowd’s energy dampened, Wallabies winger Marika Koroibete decided to give them something to cheer about, by putting the hit of the game on his Springboks counterpart Makazole Mapimpi. As Mapimpi raced towards the try line and jumped like an Olympic gymnast to plant the ball down, Koroibete appeared out of nowhere, rocketing into Mapimpi midair, dislodging the ball, and saving a certain Springboks try. Never have I heard a crowd react like that before. The half ended with the man with the best name in rugby, South Africa’s Faf de Klerk, sin-binned after slapping Nic White in the face at a scrum.

The second half was just as entertaining as the first. A beautiful piece of play saw the Wallabies move the ball gracefully across the field, ending in the hands of Koroibete who scored the try. Only ten minutes later, a line break from Lolesio saw McReight cross untouched for his second try of the match. A Lolesio penalty saw the score line stretch to 25-3. A late fightback from South Africa saw Kwagga Smith score twice, but they couldn’t catch the Wallabies who finished winners at full time, 25-17.

In the minds of everyone, there was only one man who could take home the man-of-thematch award, Marika Koroibete, who pulled off the tackle of the game and added a try for good measure.

In all, we were treated to a spectacular test match from some of the best rugby players in the world, a taste of rugby union sure to have many in Adelaide hungry for more.