Three takeaways from Perth as Wallabies stun Springboks

The Wallabies overcame a late fightback to stun Rassie Erasmus’ Springboks 42-38 in Perth on Sunday afternoon.

Following that chaotic game and subsequent surprise result, here are the three big talking points for a year out from the World Cup.

KISS HAS THE WALLABIES LOOKING DANGEROUS

Les Kiss has revived the Wallabies in remarkable fashion. Since taking over from Joe Schmidt in July, he has stayed unbeaten in five Tests. That run includes a 28-all draw with Argentina earlier this month.

Perth delivered his biggest scalp. The Wallabies played clinical rugby for 65 minutes, with Len Ikitau scoring twice. Ben Donaldson, Harry Wilson and Max Jorgensen also crossed the line. Even as yellow cards piled up, the hosts held firm. The Boks did score three late tries, but the Aussies survived. 

“Australia is a good team, they definitely have improved,” Erasmus said. “We might strike them in a vital play-off game,” he added.

As hosts, Australia open next year’s World Cup at the same venue in Perth against Hong Kong. And a strong pool campaign could even see them face the Boks in the quarter-finals. As it stands now, Kiss’ Wallabies side should be treated as a proper dark horse.

LONERGAN RUNS THE SHOW, POTENTIALLY SOLVING A LONG-STANDING WALLABIES PROBLEM

Ikitau took the official Man of the Match award for his brace. However, Ryan Lonergan was the best player on the park. The scrumhalf controlled the game from start to finish.

His numbers tell the story. Lonergan landed seven of eight shots at goal for 17 points. Handré Pollard, famous for his goal-kicking, managed three from three. Lonergan also kicked 11 times for 302 metres, and three of those kicks came straight back to Australian hands. He passed 74 times, more than both Bok scrumhalves combined.

That control matters for Australia’s long-running playmaker problem. Lonergan sets the tempo, kicks to his wingers and picks the next point of attack. It resembles the France’s model, with the scrumhalf making the calls. Donaldson, meanwhile, waits one man wider with the picture already made.

Donaldson survived a tough first 10 minutes and finished strongly, scoring a try. Lonergan’s late yellow card for cynical play was a blemish. Even so, the Wallabies may have found their playmaker, just not at No 10.

FASSI UNDER PRESSURE AFTER POOR OUTING

Aphelele Fassi had a Test he will want to forget quickly. The 28-year-old returned to the starting side after missing the series against the All Blacks and he looked rusty throughout.

Fassi missed multiple tackles and spilled several high balls and one of those errors handed Ikitau a try. He also threw a forward pass to Ethan Hooker when the Boks had a big overlap.

He did show pace and attacking instincts, and he helped set up Edwill van der Merwe’s try. But those moments could not hide the mistakes pointing to a player who is woefully out of form.

Erasmus values depth, and Fassi’s next few weeks look crucial. With the World Cup a year away, a rusty fullback cannot afford another night like this.

On the back of this performance, it’s clear Boks still need some answers for the complete make-up of their back three, but Erasmus should stay pragmatic rather than ruthless.