Wallabies defeat Springboks in third quarter-final of 2011 Rugby World Cup
2011 Tri Nations Champions Australia has defeated the defending champions, Springboks, in the third quarter-final of the 2011 Rugby World Cup (RWC) to end the South Africans title defence campaign. The defeat to Springboks means that the RWC history has
repeated itself and no champions has been able to defend their title successfully.
Wallabies defeated spirited Springboks 11 – 9 at Westpac Stadium, Wellington on Sunday, October 9. This was Springboks first defeat of the tournament, while Wallabies have suffered a shocking defeat at the hands of Ireland in a Pool C encounter.
Wallabies started the match strongly, as they controlled ball possession in the early part of the first-half. Wallabies were first to score points in the match, as they sent their second row forward and captain, James Horwill, to score the first try of the
game in the 10th minute of the match. They failed to capitalise on the conversion but were able to take a five-point lead in the pressure, knockout game.
Wallabies retained the ball and territory possession, as they were able to create another scoring opportunity with a penalty drop goal, on which their right-winger, James O’Connor successfully claimed points in the 16th minute of the game, to
take the scorecard reading 8 – 0. Springboks tried their best to turn over ball possession and occasionally they were able to do so but failed to test the score line.
Springboks finally managed to register their first points on the scorecard courtesy of their fly half Morne Steyn’s successful penalty goal, during the 38th minute of the game. Both teams left the field at the end of the first-half, with a scorecard
reading 8 – 3.
Springboks trailed by five points and started the second-half with urgency as they were able to control ball possession and gradually started to control territory. However, Wallabies were very clinical in their defence as they held their nerves in the pressure
situation and did not make any mistakes in providing the defending champion any easy scoring opportunities.
Springboks finally managed to break the shackles with Steyn’s consecutive goals, which put them in the lead for the first time in the match. Steyn scored his second penalty goal in the 55th minute, which was followed by his 59th minute
drop goal to take the scorecard reading 9 – 8.
Springboks carried their momentum in the next 10 minutes of the game, before the Wallabies turned over ball possession and won the penalty. O’Connor scored on the penalty during the 72nd minute of the game to again put the Wallabies in the lead.
Springboks did their best to recover the deficit and take the lead in the remaining game time. However, they failed to do so because of Wallabies impressive performance in the defence. Both teams left the field at the end of the full time with a scorecard
reading 11 – 9. This is Springboks consecutive third defeat at the hands of the Wallabies this year and overall their sixth defeat.
Tags: