Probably a bit late for an after match rant, but whatever.
I try not to be one for knee jerking, and thankfully, after this game I'm able to stick by this theory.
The ABs were so appalling in the first half I was embarrassed. Yes, Australia were great but we were equally as poor. Whether or not this was due to Aus is debatable, but tbh, I don't really care: the ABs showed how lethal they can be when they kicked into gear for the first 20 mins of the second half.
Other than, Barnes is just as inept as he was four years ago, although I did find it amusing how every time he seemed to want to blow the whistle, he wiped his nose instead. Strange, strange man. He wasn't controversial, but he wasn't anything. Just kind of let the game go, which is just as bad as making **** decisions. Might sound like sour grapes, which it is.
Guildford played like a man who knew the whole of NZ was waiting for him to stuff up so they could say 'I told you say' RE: Gear. He had a mare, but I don't think that means he can't improve. I will say, however, other than Nonu, who do we have that can break the line? My favourite part of Gear's game is his ability to get out of tackles when it seems impossible.
In saying that, we do have Dagg so it's not all doom and gloom.
World Cup wise, I really couldn't give a ****. Winning the 3N didn't help us the past two times, and it won't help us now. If anything, it might take the pressure off a bit, because we're so fickle we'll all now be convinced the Wallabies are going to win it. Until the competition actually starts, something like that is just pointless.
Also, thought Vito was the best man in a black jersey tonight. He was a monster on defence (although mainly unnoticed) and kept the error count down, which can't be said for many.