Absolutely pathetic, to concerning levels. We gave them a 12 point lead (ably helped by Tony Archer, you don't need someone missing a blatant knock on on the first tackle) and it looked like it was going to be a another surrender. We briefly rallied, Roby fending off 5 men to score, but Sinfield, in his only action all game, missed the kick at goal.
We got another rough decision from Archer before half time when he gave a drop out instead of a 20 metre restart (Wilkin may have touched it, don't think he did, but Wellens wasn't to know he was stood 35 yards away, how was he to know?) but the defending was shambolic. The game was over by half time. Poor refereeing from a poor referee, but that wasn't anything to do with the result, I'm sure the Aussies would have got another 12 points if they'd been disallowed anyway.
The second half is about as humiliating as it gets, it was nothing more than a miserable surrender. The Aussies played well (although Billy Slater is a c**t for reacting to Calderwood for having the cheek to try and tackle him, arrogant ******) but we never gave them approaching a challenge. Not at all. We have played so well since 2002 against Australia, beating them 3 or 4 times, once in their own back yard, but the game in 2002 wasn't even half as embarassing as this.
It looks to me like the players and coaching staff decided to see how the first half an hour went and take it from there. If we were in the game then, see it out to half time nd have a go second half. If not, write the game off and regroup. Because "we can't beat the Aussies twice." ********. Anyone can beat anyone in a game if you put your all into it. We wrote that game off today, and that is just pathetic.
I am absolutely FURIOUS. Nothing more, nothing less. Fair play to Australia, who played some great rugby league, but I'm afraid we didn't give you a game today. We're pooling all our efforts into that semi final match. A very dangerous game indeed. Don't be surprised if we bend over, touch our toes and take it up the chocolate starfish next week against the Kiwis either.
Another early plane home beckons.
