Australia 21 defeated Wales 12
@ Millennium Stadium, Cardiff on Sun 25th November 2001

Andrew Moore, of Sydney radio station 2UE, described this match as "without question, the most boring sporting contest of 2001 - a waste of the time of anyone who watched it". At first glance, this seems an unfairly harsh observation - I recall seeing some mind-numbingly boring lawn bowls contests in the wee small hours on Fox Sports, which sent me off to blissful sleep around the 14th end. But, one has to admit, he has a point.

The Wallabies once again struggled, only this time against markedly inferior opposition. Wales is not the power it once was in world rugby, and one couldn't help but worry that this was like some horrifying vision brought to us courtesy of the ghost of Christmas future. Let us hope that the Wallabies experience a Scrooge-like epiphany and chuck a U-ie on the road to mediocrity down which they have thus far traveled on this catastrophic tour.

Perhaps the most telling statistic arising from this game was that Australia, with a whopping 72% possession for the match, did not manage to cross the Welsh line. Time after time, we saw good scoring opportunities squandered by an errant pass, a dropped ball, a mistimed run - basically, the Wallabies have continued to play in a way unbefitting those claiming the title of World Champions.

Our 'dazzling' backline now finds it difficult to score tries, even against a mediocre defensive unit like that of the Welsh team. Our much lauded defence no longer looks so imposing. Indeed, other teams have now caught up and - I'm afraid it's true - have in fact set new benchmarks in the areas of recycling possession, creating innovative backline maneuvers, and establishing a dynamic and adaptable defensive wall. There is unquestionably a new pecking order in world rugby, and on current form you'd have to say that it looks something like this:

1) England
2) France
3) New Zealand (on current form)
4/5/6) A toss-up between Australia, South Africa and Ireland.

All I can say is that I'm very pleased that we're not playing the Irish on this tour because I'm not at all sure that we'd be able to beat them.

Professionalism has had a massively positive impact on rugby in Europe, and that is evident in the innovative way in which European teams are now playing the game. They are also match fit, playing twice the number of games per season (about 40) than their Australian counterparts. And yet we use the excuse that we're tired and jaded after a 'long' season - it just doesn't add up.

But back to the test match in question - full credit must go to Wales for putting up a spirited performance. Sure, they spoiled relentlessly at the ruck - particularly when we were within their 22 - but, as I've said before, champion teams should be able to rise above that and press on regardless. The Wallabies, instead, let it rattle and frustrate them, and I'm quite sure that would have brought a Cheshire smile to the face of Graham Henry.

Where the Wallaby game was characterised by mistakes and ill-discipline, the Welsh showed some verve in attack that repeatedly put the Wallabies on the back foot. I wouldn't go so far as to say that Wales deserved to win - because they didn't - but I will say that the Wallabies were fortunate not to lose. Had Matt Burke not found form with the boot during the match, the result could potentially have been a boilover.

So where to now? The Barbarians game should, if nothing else, provide such much needed free-flowing rugby. Perhaps it will speak to the reptilian brains of the Wallabies and remind them of the spirit in which they used to play the game. It will be an interesting contest indeed.

And then - back to the drawing board, I suppose. Eddie Jones now has a truly daunting task ahead of him. To rebuild or to renovate? Maybe a little of both. If nothing else, we can be pleased that this tour exposed the deficiencies of the Wallabies in no uncertain terms. There can be no doubt now of the need for a major overhaul in both gameplan and, perhaps, personnel. Bear in mind, however, that we are yet to see "Eddie Jones' Wallabies". Eddie has inherited a team which, this season, has come to the end of its life cycle. His job is to create and mould the next generation Wallaby team. And may it be bigger, better, faster and more dynamic than even its hugely successful predecessor was at its peak. And may it be ready in time for RWC 2003. We can only hope.

- Dan Fowell