Without a doubt in my view. This team absorbs pressure and knows the victory will come. The shame is they have never really been tested in the last 15 minutes with a come from behind assignment. But no doubt that test would be passed as well.
There are many great players, but some merely adequate. The team makes them look good. Coles is magnificent in the loose, but the props are only adequate. The locks are top drawer, strong and constructive. A back row that can leave out Savea isn't shabby.
In the backs the scrumhalf/flyhalf combination is superb no matter who plays. The relative weakness is at centre with decent but not great players, although I have always believed Fekitoa could become a force. Savea, Dagg and Smith at the back are perhaps the most dangerous combination of the last 20 years......playing off Smith's rugby instincts.
A group of fine players constituting a team that is even better than the individuals. Better because of fitness, resolve, nous and team understanding. The team has evolved without any revolutions, honing skills....plugging weaknesses.
Incredibly this streak has been accomplished with sub standard to poor goal kicking....a testament to the try scoring machine.
Oz by contrast had a weakness at 12 which was exploited in two of the early AB tries.
And it was a fittingly great win to cap off the record....Foley and Folau were dangerous for 60 minutes, the Australians ran great lines and might have applied more pressure if the try wasn't disallowed.
But in the end the ABs were well on top.
Its a privilege to watch this team play. I look forward to seeing them play at Soldiers' Field in Chicago in two weeks. It should be a great occasion and another record in the record streak.
Captain49,914 posts
22 Oct 2016, 15:20
#1
22 Oct 2016, 15:20#1


