Running Rugby is back

At last the viewing public can remember what true rugby is all about when the Wallabies narrowly defeated the South African Springboks by 31 points to 26 in a thrilling match at Subiaco Oval in Perth (WA).

In a game where the lead changed eight time and seven tries were scored it was a refreshing change from the dull defensive battle of the previous week when the Boks were defeated by the New Zealand All Blacks by one try and six penalty goals to three tries.

Long time watchers of the game in Australia wondered how things will ever change so that matches are not won on kicks at goal.

Their resentment goes back a long way and to the era of All Black Don Clarke who destroyed Australia so many times with his long range kicking.

Many a Wallaby fan has wondered why they cannot have a reliable goal kicker and with Joe Roff injured young Matt Giteau took over the duties.

Going in with his 100% record from the match before Giteau started well, but the success of his first kick got to him for the second which he missed so well from almost right in front that his dad Ron, himself an ace goal kicker in the rugby league game 25 years before must have turned away in shame.

The casual way Giteau approached the ball and missed would have brought him a stern rebuke and may have been the ultimate reason for the young up and coming star being taken off in the 67th minute and replaced by Matthew Burke.

Burke coolly converted the Rathbone try. Going into the game against the ABs with a reliable goal kicker is essential and it will be another problem in choosing Matt Giteau for front line kicker or replacing Chris Latham at full back with Matt Burke.

In the game yesterday the Boks scored three tries while the Wallabies ran in four with a last minute try to South African born Clyde Rathbone who sealed the match for the Aussies with a delicate run down the touchline that caused the video camera to be asked if he had over stepped the line.

It was a fine finishing effort against many of his former team mates and set up by Stephen Larkham who had another good attacking performance, playing as part in three of the four Wallaby tries, although his kicking game let him down again.

The Wallaby forward pack showed improved lineout and ruck and maul skills but the scrum from both sides was atrocious.

Nine minutes of time was wasted by the resetting of scrums and this is time the modern game cannot afford to loose as it is so boring to spectators.

The forward packs of 2004 seem intent to take the spotlight away from the backs by having possession of the cameras for the bulk of the 80 minutes of what should be open running rugby a la Randwick style.

But no, the forwards waste time at scrums and are going more for the pointless "rolling maul" even from within their own quarter.

As if they could march the play another 80 meters to the line.

Their job should be to get the ball from set plays as quickly as possible to the backs for scoring so get on with it.

Another feature emerging from forwards is "seagulling" out in the backs and trying to compete with the centre three quarters for flashy play.

Give up -- your job is in the tight stuff and to tackle like crazy for the whole 80 minutes. Get on with it!

Wallaby coach, Eddie Jones, has a dilemma in the key role of hooker for the big game next Saturday against the arch rival the New Zealand All Blacks.

Jeremy Paul had a near perfect day with his throws to the lineout missing only one of 19 while the Wallaby pack won the only "tight head" (opposition scrum feed) of the game and Paul was the top tackler of the game.

Regular hooker of the last two years Brendan Cannon will have served his suspension of two weeks after clocking opposing hooker Mealamu in the wet Wellington game three weeks ago.

The All Blacks may go into the game favorites by a slim margin but there is no doubt the Wallabies "are back" to World Cup semifinal winning form and should be able to down their across Tasman rivals at home in Sydney at the Olympic Stadium.