Australia 14 - South Africa 14
@ Subiaco Oval, Perth on Sat 18th August 2001

Oh, what a frustrating match. The Wallabies simply never got out of second gear, and will probably count themselves fortunate to have escaped with a draw.

Much has been made of the fact that Mark Andrews seemingly went into touch before planting the ball in his 'try', and indeed the Wallabies may well have won this match had the video referee been used by referee Steve Walsh Jr, who inexplicably made the call on the spot without availing himself of the eye in the sky.

That said, however, the Wallabies never looked like a team destined to win on the day. They played without continuity and, alarmingly, without penetration in attack, though their efforts were certainly disrupted by the Springboks, who reverted to that old strategy of spoil at all costs, so blatant were the infringements at the line-out, where Eales must have felt like he was wearing a 110kg backpack all night in the form of Victor Matfield, the scrum, where their front row persisted in packing in crookedly and pushing early, and the breakdown, where Bob Skinstad...well...cheated by continually handling the ball in the ruck.

We all like to label this Wallaby team a great team. And let's face it, the points on the board justify that claim - they are definitely a superb team which has overcome all before it. This is a team that wins often, but often wins (or, in this case, draws) unconvincingly. To my way of thinking, and evidently Eddie Jones' as well (judging by his comments in recent weeks), the mark of a truly great side is one that not only defeats its opponents but smashes them. The Wallabies have been unable to do this on a regular basis, as evidenced by often lacklustre performances against lesser opponents. They frequently play below their ability, but salvage victory from the jaws of defeat in spite of the quality of their play. Consider that, but for two crucial penalty goals scored against the run of play in injury time in last year's TriNations, the Wallabies would have won neither the Bledisloe Cup nor the TriNations in 2000; but for a hail mary drop goal from Larkham and a long-range penalty from Burke, they may well have lost the semi-final in the 1999 World Cup. It is a fine line, indeed, between being champions and might-have-beens.

I'm not suggesting that theirs is a reputation built on sand, but the Wallabies need to play at a high level of excellence in all matches, at all venues, in all conditions, and against all opponents, to be considered the greatest rugby team of all time. Until they play with the ruthlessness and efficiency of the All Black team of the late 80s, that particular title will continue to elude them.

And so we shall consider this match at Subiaco another opportunity lost. But make no mistake, when this Wallaby team clicks as it did in the second half of the second test against the Lions, there is not a team on earth that can beat it. And so we look forward with great anticipation to Stadium Australia...

- Dan Fowell