The Wallabies ended the Springboks’ winning run in the Tri-nations with a well deserved 21 - 6 victory in Brisbane over the World Champions. A try each by Ashley Cooper and O’Connor proved sufficient to separate the two sides. But what an entertaining game! Despite only two tries being scored in the match both teams looked very keen to get over the opposition white wash! On no less than three occasions the Wallabies were denied a try by some last ditch defending and Brussow was denied a try due to duPreez uncharacteristically passing the ball forward to the Bok fetcher.

But was this a case of the Wallabies playing well or the Boks playing badly? I think John Smit said it best in the post match interview when he said that excuses are for losers. The Boks just met up with a team that out played them on the day.

What was once Australia’s Achilles heel actually proved to be a strong point as the Boks failed to match up to the Wallabies at scrum time. Yes, it was an improvement from last week from a Bok perspective but all in all the Wallaby front row proved too strong for the Boks, which must be a worrying aspect for PdV. The Wallabies were also able to match the Boks at the lineouts and very importantly the Australians were also very physical and competitive at the break-down; the presence of “Bam Bam” Pocock having an impact in this department of the game. These three facets, the scrum, line out and breakdown all combined to give Australia the platform that they needed to unleash their dangerous backline; and with Berrick Barnes back at inside centre all these things combined to give Australia the upper hand on the day. Giteau also benefited immensely from the snappier service he received from Will Genia who seems set to retain that number 9 jumper while Burgess may now end up the Whitaker of his generation.

What may have hurt the Boks, especially in the second half, was the absence of Bryan Habana on the wing who pulled out in the late stages of the first half with what looked like a hamstring strain. Combined with the absence of Pietersen on the right wing and the booming boot of Frans Steyn at the back, this meant the Boks were fielding a completely different back three than they have been fielding for the majority of the season. This seemed to seriously hamper the effectiveness of the Bok kick and chase game. It also helped that the Wallabies played it smart by retaining huge chunks of possession and playing in the Bok half.

With a trip to Hamilton next week PdV must be concerned by the comprehensive nature in which his side was beaten on Saturday. By contrast Robbie Deans and Graham Henry must at last have something to smile about as the chinks in the Bok armory have been exposed and a team that looked almost invincible seven days ago all of a sudden looks decidedly ordinary.

My man of the match award goes to Berrick Barnes, the man looks very accomplished and complete for a player so young.

So off to Hamilton on Saturday with the Boks still trying to get the two points they need to win the Tri-nations. If the Boks put in another performance like the one they gave in Brisbane I have no doubts that the Carter inspired All Blacks are going to defeat the Boks.