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Wallaby legend Stirling Mortlock's match-winning, sideline conversion in the last minutes of the test against the Springboks has kept Australia's Tri Nations hopes alive.
It means the next test against the All Blacks at Eden Park is crucial, as the All Blacks look to seal their defence and the Wallabies attempt to come from behind to take the Tri Nations crown.
Mortlock's miracle kick also set the death knell tolling over South African coach Jake White's head. White praised his side's courage and character, but admitted that fans in the republic demanded nothing less than victory. A valiant 18-20 loss was not good enough.
Speaking at the funereal, post-game press conference, White and his captain John Smit correctly said there were many positives in the Springboks performance. But the truth hung in the air like a death sentence: three Tri Nations games for three losses; preceded by a shock home-loss to the French. It won't get any worse without repercussions.
That said, there are three Tri Nations games to be played in South Africa, and a spectacular performance at home would transform the dead-coach-walking into a national hero. Two of those games are against the All Blacks and both are at altitude, giving the Boks a double-advantage.
If the Wallabies beat the All Blacks in Auckland on Saturday week, the African Tests will decide the Tri Nations – and the fate of Jake White, which means the Springboks will be doubly motivated.
If the Wallabies lose in Auckland, the All Blacks take the trophy again.
Though castigated by the Sydney media for their "ugly" performance, Wallaby coach John Connolly said his young players will learn more from gutsing-out the dour win than they would have from a one-sided try-fest, like their last 49-0 thrashing of the Springboks.
The next Tri Nations game is in Auckland on August 19 – it will be an epic. Both teams will be rested and both will have a lot to prove – and gain. The All Blacks can seal their seventh For the Wallabies, to beat the top side in the world at home after failing to win twice this year – and losing the Bledisloe Cup in the process – would be sweet revenge.
I imagine they are already thinking, "We can beat the All Blacks. They've got 13 points, we've got 10. The scrum's working. We've got superstars.
Captain Georgie Greegan's in top form. Wycliff Palu was man-of-the match in his run-on debut, fixing the back-row – and the go-forward." And they would be right.
Meanwhile, the All Blacks are starting to streamline their super-slick operation and seem set on re-establishing their invincible aura, which means the pressure on them must be mounting. Still, the whole structure – the management, the coaching staff and the team – has a fighting-unit feel about it. And their objectives seem long-term and single-minded.
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