Delicious
Digg
reddit
Facebook
StumbleUpon
Man of the moment: Kurtley Beale
Related links
Teams
Also see
- Reaction: Deans and PDV
- Min-by-min: Oz end Highveld drought
Australia full-back Kurtley Beale kicked a 50m penalty in injury time to beat South Africa 41-39 in a dramatic Tri-Nations battle in Bloemfontein.
The last-gasp victory allowed the Wallabies to break a 47-year losing streak on the Highveld that goes all the way back to 1963, and will now finish the tournament in second place - avoiding the dreaded wooden spoon.
Not even 38,000 booing South Africans could deter Beale in the dying seconds of the match, as the man of the moment showed some deep steel by nailing the match-winning penalty from a difficult angle on the halfway line.
The raised flags behind the posts consigned the Springboks to their fifth defeat of a forgettable 2010 campaign, completing their spiralling journey to rock bottom. Since the start of this year's tournament, they've surrendered the Tri-Nations title, the Freedom Cup, and now the Mandela Plate.
Australia haven't won in Bloemfontein since 1933 but came perilously close to ending second best for the second time in two weeks after dominating the opening quarter, but then - like a bad case of deja vu - let the Springboks battle all the way back to lead in the second half.
The world champions looked down and out shortly before half-time when they trailed 31-6, but a moment of inspiration from vice-captain Victor Matfield reinvigorated the hosts after he set up Jaque Fourie to score.
Further tries from Gurthro Steenkamp and Jean de Villiers added to a match haul of 24 points for Morne Steyn, helped edge the Boks in front with 90 seconds left to play. But unbelievably, the hosts conceded a penalty in the final minute, and Australia captain Rocky Elsom asked Beale to have a crack for the unlikely win.
Australia were gifted an early three points when Bryan Habana was punished for not releasing and Matt Giteau easily slotted over the opening points.
Steyn responded for the hosts after Beale's illegal attempt to steal the ball, but the Waratahs star made amends almost instantly. Jean de Villiers failed to hold his position, which allowed James O'Connor to send his team-mate away for the opening try after eight minutes.
Giteau added the extras, before another Springbok error, this time surprisingly at the line-out, led to another seven-pointer for Australia. John Smit's put-in was too long enabling the Wallabies to steal the ball and spread it quickly through the hands to Adam Ashley-Cooper, whose pass sent O'Connor over.
The conversion by Giteau followed, and after Steyn put over another penalty, Stephen Moore crossed for his third Test try, set up by Drew Mitchell's break through the middle.
Australia added a bonus point-try after 24 minutes, but again had Habana to thank after the winger missed his tackle on O'Connor, who sliced through the centre and off-loaded to Elsom to score.
Giteau extended the lead to 31-6 and the score looked to be remaining that way heading into the half-time break, until the moment of genius from Matfield.
The veteran lock, who won his 100th cap last week, chipped the ball over the last defender and impressively regathered before laying the ball on for Fourie to score.
Steyn converted to leave Peter de Villiers' side trailing by 18 at the break.
Steenkamp cut that gap by five six minutes after the restart when he powered his way over and the conversion along with a penalty from Steyn further boosted the visibly rejuvenated hosts.
The upward swing in momentum gathered even more pace after 54 minutes when Jean de Villiers' angled run cut right through the Australia defence and saw the Stormers centre cross under the post.
It was a move that came from an initial Beale error and then a strong South Africa scrum.
The comeback was complete on the hour mark when a mammoth 50 metre penalty from Steyn put the home side ahead for the first time. And Australia's woes deepened 10 minutes later when replacement hooker Saia Faingaa was sent to the sin-bin after a spear tackle on Flip van der Merwe.
Steyn extended the lead to five points, but there was another twist when Mitchell crossed under the posts with eight minutes to play and O'Connor handed the lead back to the tourists with a clean conversion.
But an error from Beale four minutes from time presented Steyn with his ninth opportunity at goal and he maintained his 100 per cent record by putting his side back ahead.
However, Beale had the final say to condemn South Africa to bottom place in the standings after a disappointing defence of their 2009 title.
Man of the match: Could it be anyone else besides that Un-Beale-lievable last-gasp penalty kick for Australia?
Moment of the match: Victor Matfield's individual brilliance in setting up South Africa's first try was simply spectacular, but it goes without saying that this match will be remembered for that kick from Beale.
Villain of the match: Saia Faingaa's moment of madness that ended with Flip van der Merwe on his head in the 69th minute. Steyn kicked the ensuing penalty and the Wallabies faced the impossible task of closing the gap with only 14 men.
The scorers:
For South Africa:
Tries: Fourie, Steenkamp, De Villiers
Pens: M Steyn 6
Cons: M Steyn 3
For Australia:
Tries: Beale, O'Connor, Moore, Elsom, Mitchell
Cons: Giteau 5, O'Connor
Pen: Giteau, Beale
South Africa: 15 Francois Steyn, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Jean de Villiers, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Morne Steyn, 9 Francois Hougaard, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Juan Smith, 6 Schalk Burger, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Danie Rossouw, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 John Smit (c), 1 Gurthro Steenkamp.
Replacements: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 CJ van der Linde, 18 Flip van der Merwe, 19 Ryan Kankowski, 20 Ricky Januarie , 21 Juan de Jongh, 22 Gio Aplon.
Australia: 15 Kurtley Beale, 14 James O'Connor, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Matt Giteau, 11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia, 8 Ben McCalman, 7 David Pocock, 6 Rocky Elsom (c), 5 Nathan Sharpe, 4 Mark Chisholm, 3 Salesi Ma'afu, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Benn Robinson.
Replacements: 16 Saia Fainga'a, 17 James Slipper, 18 Dean Mumm, 19 Richard Brown, 20 Luke Burgess, 21 Berrick Barnes, 22 Anthony Fainga'a.
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)
By Dave Morris
Comments
leebok says...
The ref was going to give a penalty to the Ozzies no matter what. That was not a penalising offence. But on th ebright side, it might get PDV the sack so all Saffas will rejoice.
Posted 15:30 06th September 2010
Siwi says...
justice_4_all
;-)
Posted 16:50 05th September 2010
7ton says...
@boknigh
If your going to use statistics try using them properly. For example not all yellow cards are the result of being lead to by repeated warnings and penalties by the ref but rather are given instantly for foul and dirty play so perhaps your figures there just show who has the most thugs.
Not the old u tube farce again
As has been shown by previous post on this site anyone can cherry pick parts of a game and put their own biased slant of them on u tube.
Now I suppose it would be fair to say we're all biased to a certain degree but you have gone round the full 360 and ought to open your eyes.
Posted 16:23 05th September 2010
justice_4_all says...
@siwi, Thanks, but yes I know the stats. That is exactly why I admire the AB as much as I do. Its less than a week since I posted on this site that I almost hope the ABs win the RWC this time...1. they deserve it as they have led world rugby for decades and been the cutting edge that developed the game into what it is today and 2. so that the stupid, pointless, destructive choking jokes and fake statistics would be binned forever (my least favourite fake statistic is this meaningless drivel: Boks have won more of the RWC that they have competed in and are therefore better....bull of the first order!)
Anyway all the best. You are by far the best team in the world. I shall be shouting for Oz next week, but only because when not affiliated, it seems right to support the underdog. But I will be enjoying watching a terrific game and dreaming about the Boks coming back into contention.
Posted 16:21 05th September 2010
Siwi says...
@justice 4 all Here are some neat numbers for you. No digs this time The AB's have now won the 3N 10 of the 15 times it has now been played. Or, to put it another way, they win it, on average, two out of every three seasons.
Of the 67 Tri Nations' matches the All Blacks have played, they've won 47. That's a 70% winning record. The Bokke (40%) and Wallaby (38%).. Away wins, the Wallabies and Boks have traditionally had plenty of trouble in that area. Both have away-winning records of less than 20%. The All Blacks sit at 57%, having won 19 out of 33 away matches. Now please support me my mate when anyone says it's all about the World Cup. If you do support me I won't rib you again for a couple of weeks.
Posted 15:20 05th September 2010
olepete says...
hey davodiablo - does anyone still read Stephen Jones of the Sunday Times? I thought most rugby lovers gave him up years ago.
The match had too many defensive errors on both sides to be truly great.
Posted 14:53 05th September 2010
justice_4_all says...
@jagman, I don't hate kiwis...the opposite in fact. I have brothers and sisters who are kiwis and australians. I love them and I'm very very grateful to both countries for giving many South Africans a new start. I just dislike (not hate) stupid people...like you, for example...in all countries.
Posted 12:15 05th September 2010
StunTheMullet says...
Boknigh seems to be drinking deep from PDivvies coolaide bowser.
Yes, it is a worldwide conspiracy by the IRB and all referees against the Boks.
Alternatively, bad gameplan, selections, use of bench, and coaching.
Posted 08:50 05th September 2010
Jagman says...
justice_4_all says...
@all real rugbylovers, This bit of ungracious nastiness "Bye-bye all ye Yarpie wildebeastie warriors et al" is exactly opposite to what would be said by somebody who loved rugby. There are idiots like this so called "rugbylover" on all sides, but this one's a Kiwi. Can one of the many, many decent Kiwi fans and real rugby lovers please take him around a dark corner and adjust his view or encourage him to pick up some other sport? ABs look like they are going to dominate the sport for the next couple of years (again) and it would be nice if we didn't have to hear from this ***** till he learned some manners.
Maybe your hatred of Kiwi's effects your eyesight, his last statement 'Yeah, right'.....................as those Kiwis like to say. Does not mean he is a Kiwi, in fact probably says he's not. Maybe time to pull your head in a bit...
Posted 08:27 05th September 2010
LISH says...
Well PDV time to think of new blood in the boks. Cant rely on the seniors for too long.
Need big changes in the forwards with mobility firstly. Need someone with better mind frame to coach them too!!!!!!
Posted 07:22 05th September 2010
justice_4_all says...
@all real rugbylovers, This bit of ungracious nastiness "Bye-bye all ye Yarpie wildebeastie warriors et al" is exactly opposite to what would be said by somebody who loved rugby. There are idiots like this so called "rugbylover" on all sides, but this one's a Kiwi. Can one of the many, many decent Kiwi fans and real rugby lovers please take him around a dark corner and adjust his view or encourage him to pick up some other sport? ABs look like they are going to dominate the sport for the next couple of years (again) and it would be nice if we didn't have to hear from this ***** till he learned some manners.
Posted 07:14 05th September 2010
AlanDownunder says...
In Matfield's first s12 tour of Aus with the Bulls, he chipped over Matt Burke and regathered to score. He's been a major pest ever since. Some player.
Posted 06:17 05th September 2010
robo says...
Media BS, Peter de Villiers doesn't say "what needs to be said" or he'd say: "I resign."
And he doesn't say what needs to be said, he says a whole lot of thoroughly idiotic things that anyone with the IQ of an ice-hockey puck would instinctively know are unpalatable and stupid. He'd know he was going to embarrass his country. What this circumstance did to team morale can only be guessed. Maybe that showed in those first few minutes of yesterday's game when the Boks were not in it. Each new game has meant trying to catch up with the opposition. You know why? P Divvy isn't an innovator or original thinker and through poor coaching systems has been oblivious to the extent to which the Boks had sunk. He even selected one player who, it was only recently acknowledged by coaches, had till then been unfit. Unfit? Yet he played against the All Blacks. My old favourate, Habana should have been out long ago, for some unknown reason his game gone to shreds. He was a shambles last week, having a hand in two Aussie tries, yet played yesterday and again contributed to defeat. That much became evident when Aplon replaced him. And then Spies too should have been put out to rest about two games back. Between Peter de Villiers and SARU's Oregan Hoskins Springbok rugby has been dragged down disgracefully.
And you want more of that? You must be a Kiwi!
Posted 05:55 05th September 2010
Trinats says...
Nearly let that one get away. Obviously delighted to get the win, but very fshouldn't have been in that position in the first place. These guys are professional and shouldn't switch off at 25 points up, but taht will come with experience.
Great game to watch and a great advertisement for rugby world wide. Matfields chip and chase was the highlight of the game for me, well done old fella. And well done Wallaby second side (with 14 players) and of course Bealeinator (I'm sure he has been sent from the future).
I had the Wallabies by heaps and though they would run away with it, but credit to SA for getting back into the game, the 750+ caps of experience helped.
McCalam in his run on debut had a blinder. Watch out rest of the world this young side looks very dangerous, and with the return next year of first choice forwards, can't see us losing a game, let alone the RWC final.
Wanted - trophy cabinet builder to build the biggest cabinet ever to fit (my head) trophies to fill for the next decade and beyond !!!!! You may laugh at me now, as you did when i said we would win this game, but wait until after next weeks trashing of the All Backwards !!!!!!
justice_4_all
Tough way to lose, but you came back from a 25 point deficit, well done. With regards to the socks, you have enough money with your winnings to buy your own pair !!!! Good luck on your spring tour (who was it that put me onto the 4-1 odds ??? Thank you).
rognvald: FYI - It occurred this century !
Posted 03:27 05th September 2010
boknigh says...
First let me say what a great game of rugby that was to watch. One of the best in a long long time.
However, I haven't forgotten what an important role Alain Rolland has played in this year's 3N either. I think I need to put a short video on youtube with all the clips of him missing (purposely or not) vital calls that cost SA points. Lets end with the last Aussie try.....the lineout...ball was not thrown five meters with our favourite pedantic ref/linesman standing right there, and it lead to a try. It's amazing to me how blatantly bias this guy really is. In fact we received zero love from three Irish refs this year....must be sour grapes from the B&I Lions disaster.
And of course I am so glad that they put this stats up on TV a few weeks back. I just had to remind you all of the glaringly obvious bias that is going on.
Number of penalties leading to a yellow card:
New Zealand 43 (thats right...this is no typo that is FOURTY THREE!!!)
Australia 7
South Africa 6
I wonder who is in charge of the referees? Wanna take a wild gander? A New Zealander of course. IRB...you need to correct this system and do so rapidly. How about three ref bosses that rotate out every year.
SA is off the pace as well....not just blaming the refs here. Coach loves his rugby but is not the man for the job. Bring back Heineke Meyer. Habana needs to sit on the bench.....he has lost the hunger. The best hooker in SA is not even selected! Bring back Bismark du Plessis....stop persisting with Chilliboy for pete's sake. As always, SA will be back....would rather peak next year than the Kiwis doing so now. By next year other teams will have caught up anyway.
Posted 03:12 05th September 2010
cantyboy says...
First up anyone doing a lifting tackle like that idiot should be red carded,no exceptions,those tackles never used to be in the game,now's the time to stamp them out.Secondly as soon as i saw the Boks starting to waste time counting down the clock,i actually screamed at them,yelling they were going to lose,that they would lose the ball or someone would give away a penalty.Play the game out you simpletons,keep attacking hard,that's the way to victory,in the end all the good work they did came undone and playing like that they deserved to lose.
Posted 03:08 05th September 2010
tafiwi says...
Yesterday's men playing last year's rugby!
Posted 02:45 05th September 2010
safehands says...
Exciting game of rugby.......but what a load of nonsense in my opinion.
1st half SA were pathetic, didn't even look like a top international test team.
Poorly organised and completely out of sorts. PDV to blame? Yes.
The problem for SA isn't missing 3/4 players (most teams will be missing frontline players at any one time anyway), it's a dated gameplan that relies on other teams making mistakes, after giving the ball to them, and hoping to win it back by pressurising from the kick.
Australia and NZ have sussed this and it is no coincidence that they have run through so many tries past SA. All they do is move the ball to the other side quickly and negate the SA attackers trying to pressurise the initial kick....hence huge gaps in the backline on opposite side of where the initial pressure was applied.........
Ona sour note, the booing of Habana was an absolute disgrace......the man is a living legend, joint top SA top try scorer, who has been a great ambassador for SA rugby and rugby union in general. To be subjected to such treatment due to a lack of form is shocking even if your team is losing!!
I'd be embarrased if I were a true Saffa supporter!!
2nd half Aus were pathetic (apart for the last 8 mins with only 14 men), nearly conspired to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory again. I would prefer to be in the Wallaby shoes though, as I think their paper defence is more down to the youthful inexperience of the players. On attack they are exceptional, but there is a heap of work to do to shore up that sieve they call a defence.
As a lover of free flowing rugby, this game was good to watch, but the ease in which both teams shipped points to each other was quite bizarre for test level rugby. It was almost like watching a tier 1 nation playing Georgia, USA etc with the Wallabies on top first and then the same scenario for the Boks in the second.
Posted 01:55 05th September 2010
kiwiruz says...
Congrats Oz!!! How did Beale not get ,player of the match? I don't think I've ever seen a player from a loosing team win Player of Match in NZ or Oz for that matter.
I think parts of the game showed that PDV got his selection right, SA was just out classed today.
Posted 00:48 05th September 2010
hemip says...
AWESOME Game! love the ozzy backline!.. Cant wait til the AB's smashem' Lol
Posted 00:12 05th September 2010