England’s victory carried far more opportunity costs for the Wallabies,and Australian rugby,than just farewelling the Ella-Mobbs trophy.
After a series of strong attendances around the country,a bumper crowd swarmed down to the SCG from Paddington and surrounds. People settled in on their couches at home,with hopes firmly up. Surely this was the year the Wallabies put Eddie and his England to the sword.
Courtney Lawes and England players celebrate their 2-1 series victory over the Wallabies at the SCG on Saturday night.Credit:Getty
The opportunity to ride all that support and momentum to victory,however,was lost. Australian rugby must pick up the pieces,again,on Sunday morning and cross their fingers that all those fans will be back.
The opportunity to put on a show in the same ballpark as State of Origin? That was lost,too. The opportunity to perfectly farewell the SCG as a Test rugby venue,after Australia first played (and beat) England there in 1899? Stop me if you’re heard it before - also lost.
But the cost of the Wallabies being unable to take a big step psychologically and down England is one that may have the biggest sting in the tail.
To borrow from golf,the year before a Rugby World Cup is moving year. It is the year that contenders,like Ireland,emerge. In 1998,the Wallabies stood up with a 3-0 Bledisloe Cup whitewash. It is the year potential must start paying,and for World Cup winners,the year self-belief grows from being hopeful to unshakeable.
The Wallabies and England do battle in front of the SCG’s historic member’s stand.Credit:AP
The Wallabies had the very attainable opportunity to cast the England monkey off their back with a series win this July and move - in international rugby terms - from adolescence to adulthood. And they didn’t take it.
The Wallabies don’t play England in November so will probably will next meet in the World Cup quarter-final in Marseille next year. Jones joked he watched the same clash in 2007 from the South African camp with a beer in his hand. Australia struggled to handle England’s stifling defence that day and lost,and Jones grinned that he hopes history will repeat itself,minus the beer.
Jones later deflected to the third man a question about whether the Wallabies lacked a killer instinct,saying they have a talented team that needs time,and the past doesn’t count in any Test match.
But you can guarantee if that quarter-final happens next year,Jones’ side will know deep inside they can beat the Wallabies when the crunch comes. The Wallabies won’t have the same evidence.
Wallabies players after their defeat.Credit:AP
Rennie said his team will look short-term to re-build confidence,and look to develop a killer instinct by being clinical,and taking all opportunities.
“We look forward,” Rennie said. “Yeah,it is an opportunity lost. We have to be better and the plan is that we will be against Argentina.”