Wallabies humble Springboks at fortress Suncorp | Thebigtip

Australia 30 South Africa 13 - by Greg Growden at smh.com.au

THE Wallabies again showed why they regard Suncorp Stadium as their spiritual home when they produced yet another spectacular Brisbane performance to blow away the Springboks in a memorable Tri Nations triumph.

Elsewhere the Wallabies flounder. But not here. They produced one of their best efforts for some time, outmuscling, outrunning and out-defending the Tri Nations holders for a victory that had its dramas, especially when the Springboks had a revival with two late tries.

It was a mighty team triumph, highlighted by outstanding individual performances, particularly from captain Rocky Elsom and openside David Pocock, who completely out-enthused their opponents.

''That's what we were after,'' Elsom said. ''That's the style we want to play all the time. It's not as easy as it sounds and it didn't go perfectly but we stuck to it. It's going to be totally different next week [against New Zealand]. I'd love to say that [last night's game] helps us a hell of a lot going into next week but we don't know that for sure. We just have to expect New Zealand will be at their best and it's going to require our best to stop them.''

The frustrated Springboks correctly identified Pocock's try-saver on Bryan Habana and then follow-up ruck penalty on his line as a massive turning point in the match.

''David Pocock was all over the breakdown,'' South Africa captain John Smit said. ''He was massive there and we just didn't match him. It's just such a big part of the modern-day game.''

Read more