In a turn of events that left jaws on the floor, the Wallabies' coach Joe Schmidt cheekily suggested that the Springboks' sizzling start at Ellis Park, which initially seemed catastrophic for Australia, actually spelled the beginning of South Africa's own downfall. Despite a terrifying 22-0 deficit in the first 18 minutes, Australia staged a staggering comeback, finishing with a 38-22 victory. This marked their first triumph at this iconic venue since the days of black-and-white TV back in 1963.
Post-match, Schmidt reflected on the psychological twist of the game. “It’s funny, I’ve coached enough teams because I’m really old and I’ve had teams that get a, I wouldn’t say a soft start but a very, very rapid start. It can sometimes cause a bit of a lapse in effort and concentration. I think they just gave us a little bit of belief.”
However, Schmidt was quick to humble the win.
“We probably got a little bit lucky. We’re realistic at how we had to hang in there but I’m really proud of the way we did hang in there.”
He added that despite the score, the game's intensity was closer than it seemed, with the Wallabies capitalizing on crucial breakaway moments. “That game was probably closer than the score dictates. We scored a couple of tries when they looked very dangerous and we got them on the break.”
The Wallabies' bench played a pivotal role, with fresh faces like Zane Nonggorr and Jeremy Williams making significant impacts, alongside seasoned players Tate McDermott and Andrew Kellaway. Schmidt commended their collective effort, which crucially kept the team competitive throughout the game.
With the Boks losing their No 1 ranking following the match, the stakes are sky-high for the rematch. Schmidt acknowledged the looming challenge, simply stating, “Yeah, absolutely.”, indicating his anticipation of a fierce rebuttal from the Springboks next weekend.
Amidst the tactical analyses and player performances, this match will be remembered for its dramatic shifts and the tactical acumen that turned an apparent rout into a resounding comeback story, proving yet again why rugby is as much a game of the mind as it is of the body.
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In a turn of events that left jaws on the floor, the Wallabies' coach Joe Schmidt cheekily suggested that the Springboks' sizzling start at Ellis Park, which initially seemed catastrophic for Australia, actually spelled the beginning of South Africa's own downfall. Despite a terrifying 22-0 deficit in the first 18 minutes, Australia staged a staggering comeback, finishing with a 38-22 victory. This marked their first triumph at this iconic venue since the days of black-and-white TV back in 1963.
Post-match, Schmidt reflected on the psychological twist of the game. “It’s funny, I’ve coached enough teams because I’m really old and I’ve had teams that get a, I wouldn’t say a soft start but a very, very rapid start. It can sometimes cause a bit of a lapse in effort and concentration. I think they just gave us a little bit of belief.”
However, Schmidt was quick to humble the win.
“We probably got a little bit lucky. We’re realistic at how we had to hang in there but I’m really proud of the way we did hang in there.”
He added that despite the score, the game's intensity was closer than it seemed, with the Wallabies capitalizing on crucial breakaway moments. “That game was probably closer than the score dictates. We scored a couple of tries when they looked very dangerous and we got them on the break.”The Wallabies' bench played a pivotal role, with fresh faces like Zane Nonggorr and Jeremy Williams making significant impacts, alongside seasoned players Tate McDermott and Andrew Kellaway. Schmidt commended their collective effort, which crucially kept the team competitive throughout the game.
With the Boks losing their No 1 ranking following the match, the stakes are sky-high for the rematch. Schmidt acknowledged the looming challenge, simply stating, “Yeah, absolutely.”, indicating his anticipation of a fierce rebuttal from the Springboks next weekend.
Amidst the tactical analyses and player performances, this match will be remembered for its dramatic shifts and the tactical acumen that turned an apparent rout into a resounding comeback story, proving yet again why rugby is as much a game of the mind as it is of the body.