There were enough sparks and signs of intent in Europe to suggest Australia are a team at the beginning of something, not the end
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t the end of a frenetic first half, where Angus Bell ran in one of the great tries by a Wallaby prop, where Matt Faessler powered over for a brace, where Louis Bielle-Biarrey scored a solo stunner and Thomas Ramos and Nicolas Depoortère dotted down as well, Tane Edmed gathered a pass at first receiver.
The young fly-half, playing in his seventh Test, was having a decent game. He’d slotted two of his three shots at goal. He was brave to the line, carrying with zip, stitching moves together as he tried to spark a backline short on fluency. But with the clock in the red, he attempted a raking kick to the corner. Either he didn’t realise the 40 minutes had elapsed, or he thought he was in his own half and a 50-22 was on. Either way, after watching the ball skid into touch to end the half, he stood still, hands on head, stunned by his own misread.
Does this sum up Australia’s European tour? It’s tempting to tug at that thread. A young playmaker, full of intent and enterprise, doing almost everything right before making the sort of mistake that spoils the picture. A team brimming with effort but undermined by moments that expose the rickety scaffolding still holding them together.
