This was published 7 years ago
Wallabies provide some moments to remember in a season to forget
With New Zealand having, once again, secured the Rugby Championship and as we come to close of the domestic season, it's a good time to reflect on 2016 and the moments that made the season and the moments that I'm trying to forget.
There were the losses to England – which nobody really saw coming – and the despair of that first loss in Sydney to New Zealand.
Yet there have been highlights as well. The win over the Pumas in Perth was one, plus individual moments in games from players that made us sit up and take note.
Despite the whitewash against England there was still huge anticipation going into the first Bledisloe Test in Sydney. And there were good reasons to think the All Blacks were vulnerable: they'd lost more than 700 Test caps of experience, the captain had retired, their prolific goal kicker had gone overseas, and the game was on our turf. They all pointed towards our blokes being competitive.
Finding form at last: Will Genia and the Wallabies celebrate a try in Perth as Australia recorded their best win of the year.Credit: Getty Images
We were starting to allow ourselves to believe. I got caught up in the hype. What resulted was a shock – to all. It was like New Year's Eve celebrations when everybody is pumped for the night but what eventuated was a massive let-down. The supporters were disappointed, but the team more so, as I don't think they saw it coming at all.
No doubt the game of the season was the win over Argentina in Perth. Three tries in 15 minutes was exactly the way the Wallabies wanted – and needed – to start the match. Turning those half breaks into tries left the team with some confidence, but like all games possession evens out and the Wallabies ended up making plenty more tackles than Argentina in what was a stoic effort in defence.
I think the Individual play of the year was the run in that same game by Sean McMahon when he steamrolled about five players to set up Will Genia's second try. That to me showed dogged determination and the desire that Michael Cheika is striving for.
Another breakthrough moment that caught my attention – and was close to my heart – was the successful penalty by Reece Hodge from 53 metres out in Wellington in his debut Test.
Not willing to take a backward step: New Wallaby Adam Coleman.Credit: Getty Images
Two things about that strike. Firstly, he had the confidence to step up and say, 'I want to take this' in his first Test. Secondly, the hit he put on the ball was brilliant. And why? Because there was no settling-in period, there was no warm-up; his first attempt was beyond halfway. That shows courage and determination, because if he'd shanked it, it could have left him with a nasty mental scar.
My feeling is you don't have specialist long-range goalkickers; just give the ball to someone who strikes it as clean as he does. I can see his stocks in this team rising considerably because of what he brings to the side.
Every team needs a "loose cannon" and I think the Wallabies may have just found one in Adam Coleman. What he showed in the Brisbane Test against South Africa and the clash with the Kiwis in Wellington is that he's not going to take a backward step. That's exactly what this team needs, some mongrel, coupled though with skill in the lineouts and around the park.
The Wallabies pack could be built around Coleman and McMahon on the spring tour.
The French connection coming back to Australia promised so much but, unfortunately, two of the best – Matt Giteau and Drew Mitchell – went down injured. But what we did see was that Will Genia is still Australia's best No.9. It's like living in Paris has revitalised his career and he has dominated again in Wallaby gold.
I think Cheika will call on Genia for as long as his French club permits him to play for his country.
Finally, despite having an indifferent year to date, I still enjoyed watching the skills of Israel Folau. His season may not have been what we expect of him – even he has expressed frustration – but his ability to beat a man, or more like two or three men, remains why he is still the Wallabies go-to man in attack and while he's in the side they're always a threat.
If the Wallabies can shore up their set piece ball on the upcoming European tour, I'm sure once again Folau can find his mojo and dominate again.