Tri-Nations
Aus clear 'critical hurdle'
2010-09-06 09:57
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Sydney - The Wallabies have cleared a critical hurdle in their journey to next year's rugby World Cup with their last-gasp win over the world champion Springboks, the Australian press said on Monday.
They became the first Australian team to beat the Springboks on the South African Highveld in 47 years and recorded their first win in Bloemfontein for 77 years with their 41-39 victory on Saturday.
The win ensured that Australia would finish in second place with the world champion Springboks condemned to finish last in the Tri-Nations tournament they won in 2009.
The Australian press, which has for so long bemoaned the Wallabies' run under coach Robbie Deans, were more effusive in their praise this time.
"This was the moment for which Australian rugby has been waiting for so long," The Sydney Morning Herald said.
"The importance of the Bloemfontein triumph cannot be overestimated. A critical hurdle in the team's progress towards the World Cup next year has been successfully negotiated."
The Herald said the manner in which the young Wallabies fought back against the most experienced South African line-up of all time, with a record 750 caps, showed they were developing in the right way.
"Yes, we have a national rugby team of note, as the Wallabies' ability to win in such trying circumstances showed they are developing many of the required elements to be a viable world authority this time next year."
Fullback Kurtley Beale, whose 55m angled kick in the last minute clinched victory, was lauded as a Wallaby hero.
"Whatever else happens in his career, Kurtley Beale has guaranteed his name always will be mentioned in the same breath as three of the greatest Wallabies, John Eales, Stirling Mortlock and Matt Burke, all of whom kicked goals right at the death of Tri-Nations Tests to clinch remarkable victories," The Australian said.
"The Wallabies might not have scaled the heights of Mount Olympus but they had at least and at last conquered the altitude of the South African Highveld.
"What had shaped as a Greek tragedy would end, miraculously, in triumph. And who knows, if the Wallabies don't themselves succumb to hubris, they could even now challenge those immortal favourites of the gods, the All Blacks."
New Zealand, who have already clinched the southern hemisphere championship title, meet Australia in Sydney next Saturday in the final match of the Tri-Nations tournament.
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