Ozzie Ozzie Ozzie, Oi Oi Oi....

It was a scintillating rugby match. Unbelievable pace and energy. The Wallabies pulled off something of a coup in beating the All Blacks 43-19 (two clear tries) with less than 40% of the ball possession. Unheard of in modern rugby.

Clever kicking, self-belief, and a herculean effort in aggressive committed defense in the opposition half allowed the Wallabies to keep the All Blacks pinned back and under pressure, when this much All Black possession would normally have resulted in a rout, and a cricket score being posted against most other international sides.

The Wallabies loose forwards, Palu/Smith/Elsom (and then Waugh) were the point-of-the-sword that pilfered ball at will, and wrecked havoc on the normally invincible All Black rucking and mauling machine. The Wallabies front row Archillies heel seemed to count for little, as the All Blacks struggled to capitalise. Wave after wave of the Black tide roared and rolled in, only to smash against and be broken by an immovable green and gold rock wall.

Then there was the added factor of the fast, skillful and enterprising Wallabies back line. A flawless Giteau, with lifted performances from Barnes, Tuqiri, Hynes, and Ashley-Cooper, more than compensated for the absence of Mortlock at center. The impact of Nonu was negligible. Mills played well, but the outstanding Carter seemed like a lone voice in the Henry wilderness, shouting at the wind. A depressed missing master McCaw could only look on from the grandstand, as the on-field leadership provided by Carter was not supported, and ultimately wilted in the heat and surge of the battle.

This is now 5 wins in a row for Roo-bie Deans, (two consecutive losses for Henry) and the 5 year Australian Bledisloe Cup drought looks likely to break. The Wallabies are building up to a full hop, with the team seemly acquiring that aura, confidence and swagger of that Golden Wallabies Farr-Jones/Lynagh/Horan/Campese era.

All the pressure has to be now on Graham Henry as round 2 of the Bledisloe shifts to Auckland next week. It's a must win game for the All Blacks, else a unforgiving NZ rugby public will undoubtedly be calling for his scalp.

What a treat we are in for, this coming weekend!

Ozzie Ozzie Ozzie, Oi Oi Oi !!