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international
Wallabies coach Les Kiss never saw anything like the “bizarre” final 15 minutes against the Springboks in Perth as the hosts were reduced to 11 men before holding on for a 42-38 victory.
Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus made 13 changes to the starting side that faced the All black people in Baltimore, but it was still a team that included 10 Rugby World Cup winners in 23 and with more than 340 tests experience on the bench.
Harry Wilson and Max Jorgensen scored a try each in the second half as the Wallabies led 42-17 with less than 20 minutes remaining. But then the match turned, with the Wallabies down to 13 following yellow cards from Wilson and Ryan Lonergan.
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii received the team’s third yellow card a minute later, and then Hunter Paisami was booked late on. The Boks battled back, making it an 11-point game with time still on the clock.
Ox Nche crashed over for a crucial score in the final minute, but the Wallabies were able to do enough after the restart to secure a result. It saw the Wallabies extend their unbeaten run under coach Kiss to five, which included a draw away to Los Pumas.
“It was bizarre for sure … it was really quiet in the box for the most part,” Kiss said after the game.
“The lads found a way. I was pleased that the group out there on the pitch that was there, down to the small number that we were, there was a nice composure, it created a bit of clarity and focus on what needed to be done next.
“Hearing that and seeing how they looked and how they felt in those difficult times, it’s incredibly comforting.
“I know that’s a big part of this story, I know it’s a big part of what we’ve seen, but there’s a lot to talk about and in that first 60 that we’re going to continue to look at and grow from. I thought the guys did fantastic for 60.”
The Wallabies were dealt a serious injury before the first whistle, with linebacker Josh Canham ruled out of the match with a minor hamstring injury. This caused a bit of a reshuffle in the pack, with Lukhan Salakaia-Loto coming into the run-on side.
Jeremy Williams stepped up in the set piece, even claiming a steal on a Springboks throw-in early in the second half as the Wallabies built up a lead. Ice players Rob Valitini, Fraser McReight and Wilson made their mark before reinforcements were called.
The Springboks brought on their bench early, while the Wallabies had seven substitutions available between half-time and the 68th.th minutes. Tate McDermott was the only substitute not to take the field, and Lonergan played the entire match apart from the yellow card.
“We have such a strong team, a strong bond, and the way the boys have progressed has been great,” Wilson told reporters.
“I remember the beginning of the year against Ireland, against France, we had a really good first 40 and then we dominated the second half. The guys, we talked about it and we knew we had to step up.
“To beat the Springboks we had to play well for 80 minutes … no matter what the boys threw away.”
