Wallabies win a career highlight for Rocky
Australia captain Rocky Elsom claims yesterday’s last-gasp victory against South Africa was one of the best Test matches of his career.
The Wallabies, who had not won at altitude in the country for almost 50 years, secured a dramatic 41-39 scoreline in Bloemfontein thanks to a late penalty from Kurtley Beale.
It helped them ensure a second-place Tri Nations finish with a match against champions New Zealand to come next week, while Robbie Deans’ side also regained the Nelson Mandela Shield.
The result came seven days after the visitors were denied a similar win against the world champions in another topsy-turvy match in Pretoria.
“It feels pretty good,” Elsom said. “For a lot of reasons, that will be one of the more memorable matches I’ve played.”
The hero of the hour, Beale, said the 55-metre kick was one of the highlights of his career.
At that stage, the home side looked like they were heading for the win after fighting back from a 31-6 deficit at one stage to lead 39-38.
But the Waratahs back showed few nerves in changing the course of the match and handing the Australians a first win on the Highveld since 1963 when they won in Johannesburg.
He said: “I didn’t know who was supposed to take the kick. I was busy looking for Gits (Matt Giteau), but he’d left the field.
“When I stepped up to take that final kick, I knew I couldn’t let the boys down,” said Beale.
“The guys wanted me to take the kick and I knew I had to stick to the process and not worry about the crowd.
“It’s definitely a career highlight. To win a match for the Wallabies, it doesn’t get better.”
Springbok captain John Smit had little sympathy for his defence, admitting it was the difference between the two teams.
He said: “Our defence was not good, especially early in the game, and they cut us too easily.
“In this game the margins are small. The try right at end of the first half helped and I thought we started the second half well.
“Usually our defensive system works well, but it did not work tonight. We only have ourselves to blame.”
Reflecting back on the 2010 home season, he added: “I don’t feel good about our season.
“We’ve been disappointing in the Tri Nations when one looks at the players and experience we have.
“We’re below par and far off the pace. It will be no use giving a bunch of excuses – we’re off our best and have work to do.”
