In the hullabaloo of their cruel last-minute defeat by the All Blacks in Melbourne, the true character of this Wallabies side has been exposed, ignored, mocked and crucified, but too seldom celebrated. Sure, they have lost the Bledisloe Cup for a 20th year and let a winnable Rugby Championship slip, slumped to an all-time low of ninth on the world rankings and left their fans exasperated yet again.
But they also showed a grit of which Australians can be proud, and which may yet serve them well in the upcoming spring tour Tests against Scotland, France, Italy, Ireland and Wales, and the World Cup in France next September. For now they must face the All Blacks afresh by drawing strength from last week’s performance, a rousing, riotous fightback that almost secured a famous victory.
