But they do come into this match looking distinctly un-Australian. They have been bleating about New Zealand crowds not getting behind them, and such carping is very out of character. Australians normally believe cheerfully that you make your own luck. They know how to win and have never had any trouble believing in their abilities to win. Do they really think New Zealanders are going to barrack for them while the All Blacks are still in the tournament? As they'd say "not bloody likely mate"
I had the tragic misfortune to be in Oz filming the Melbourne Cup when the All Blacks were sent home from the 1999 RWC by France. Just hours after being stunned by this result, and still short of Zzzs, my crew and I were filming a morning roast Melbourne Cup event in a huge function room at Crown Casino. There were about 1500 people at this do, and this is how we were greeted....
A portly Aussie bloke stands up at the lectern and says... "There's some good news and bad news. The bad news is that there will be a bloody film crew in here this morning filming you all eat". The crowd mumble, grumble and complain. Then the gentleman breaks into a shit eating grin. "But the good news is they are a bunch of bloody Kiwis, so make sure you all let them know how mighty their bloody All Blacks are today". Most of the 1500 punters swept into gales of laughter and derision. After that, the day got worse.
So feel sorry for the Aussies? No thanks. Give them a hug? Not right now. They can toughen up, get over themselves and realise New Zealand crowds will never root for them as they would never root for the Springboks - you don't see them complaining.
The game has been in motion for about 5 minutes, and the Wallabies are looking a bit dejected and rusty. The Eagles are footing it with them pretty well, but as they say it's still early days. And what do you know, the usual suspects Quade Cooper and Kurtly Beale tear the USA midfield up, to manufacture a try for second five Rob Horn - fine try that. Beale misses the conversion 5-0 after 9 minutes.
About a minute later Rocky Elsom finishes off a very similar movement. I've been totally impressed with the way he's moved on since losing the captaincy just before the cup started. He has played with presence, pasion and dignity. Cooper misses this conversion. 10-0 after 11minutes. The Springboks will be happy to see their potential quarter final opponents looking so average with the boot.
Fabulous play by the Eagles - they string together 20 phases as they hammer the Aussie try line, then force Cooper to carry the ball back for a 5 metre scrum. I wouldn't have thought they had the firepower to test the Wallabies like that. Their first scrum doesn't look convincing, but they get a second crack, and their inspirational #8 JJ Gagiano (how's that for a name out of the Sopranos?) takes the ball off a scrum going backwards to sprint over in the corner without a hand laid on him. AWESOME. The conversion is closer than the Wallaby efforts, but no cigar. 10-5 Australia, 25 minutes, game on.
The Eagles press on, but turn the ball over while hot on attack. That man Elsom snaffles it and passes to Beale who ends up returning it 70 metres, right under the Eagles' posts. Cooper can't miss this one. 17-5 Australia after 31 minutes. I think we might see a bonus point try before the half ends. Kurtley Beale looks the best fullback at the tournament by a significant margin.
I thought as much, the Wallabies centre Anthony Faingaa gets their fourth try after 34 minutes. The Eagles need to try and retain possession, because any number of Australians can break their line. Cooper misses again! That was very kickable. 22-5 Australia.
Halftime comes, and in the last 15 minutes the Wallabies have made the game secure, but Robbie Deans will not be happy when he addresses his troops in the break. We can all be sure of that.
Excellent play ref! He plays an advantage long enough to see Quade Cooper get scragged - the crowd cheer. The Eagles don't seem to have much of a plan, and the Wallabies winger Drew Mitchell scores a very easy try early in the second half. Too easy. The Americans need to find some inspiration or they will get dismembered here. Cooper converts, 29-5 after 45 minutes.
Less than a minute later Pat McCabe scores on the other wing. I will refrain from listing the points from here. If I write anything else before the final whistle, it will be in the unlikely event that the Eagles wake up. 34-5 after 50 minutes.
The last 30 minutes were absolutely the Adam Ashley Cooper show. The Wallaby winger scored a hat trick, and replacement second five Berrick Barnes took over kicking duties and couldn't miss. Faingaa bagged a second try too before big replacement #8 Radike Samo scored the lucky last. The Wallabies looked convincing in the end as they strode manfully to a 67-5 victory.
Sadly for all the game had a sickening end as Anthony Faingaa was knocked out cold with a miss-timed tackle, in the final moments. He had an outstanding game, and it is a great pity to see him stretchered off. I'm sure we all hope he recovers from this. I would hug him if I could - I would make an exception!
Final score: Australia 67 - USA 5
23 games 138 tries
Tweet of the match - "How is it the Wallabies got to the World Cup without a decent kicker #majorfail" @KateLynchJourno
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