Australia coach Robbie Deans praised his side for rounding off a "huge year" with a dramatic win against Wales in Cardiff on Saturday.
A late try from Kurtley Beale sealed victory for the Wallabies, who bounced back from a heavy defeat to France three weeks ago with consecutive victories over England, Italy and now Wales.
"It was a great game as all of our encounters with Wales have been this year," said Deans.
"It was a great Test match to finish the year on, it had everything."
"Credit to the lads for even being in the game at the end, they have had a huge year and that was a fast and physical game so to be in the game at the end was credit to them, but to get up to win it was even better."
The match marked Nathan Sharpe's final appearance for his country after 116 caps, with the Australia captain showing his emotions after bowing out on a high.
"Of course I will miss it. It's what I have done as long as I can remember," said Sharpe.
"I might have to find some walls to run into every weekend to ease my way out of it I think. The thing I will miss the most is being in that team environment and having a goal that is in that pressure cooker situation.
"You love it and you hate it, it's big highs and low lows so that will be most challenging thing for me."
Comments
Wallaroo says...
@Trinats2 LOL, mate at least you are consistent in your pursuit to upset Kiwis.
Posted 02:34 08th December 2012
flatline says...
well said mr walleroo sir - an observation if I may...
if @GS continues to make negative observations (perhaps from a restricted viewpoint?) and is a victim of circumstance, we should perhaps consider those circumstances which have left him a victim. I'm thinking someone has perhaps taken offence to his moronic rantings and has applied some forceful logic to his person. I try and picture this every time I see another of his poisonous little bleatings...helps me smile and defuses the desire to bash out an offensive reply which, as you so rightly say, wont change anything. perhaps if we ignore him/she it will go away...
Posted 16:41 04th December 2012
Trinats2 says...
Wallaroo:
How is one to stir the Kiwis, when you make so much sense !!!
Posted 07:01 04th December 2012
Wallaroo says...
@Ramage & paulynz - Thank you for your kind words.
Ramage, I don't believe my rugby knowledge is anywhere near what you credit me with, albeit I am extremely flattered as you seem to be very well acquainted with the intricacies of the game. What I am graced with is an intrinsic understanding of people and people leadership which I mainly attribute to my relationship with and understanding of God in whose image we were created. FYI I have not always believed, in fact quite the opposite. I was an absolute arsehole, still have some of those arsehole qualities which I'm hoping will fade over time (daily by grace).
IMHO it is likely georgesmith is merely venting his frustrations without considering the broader consequences or virtues. His mind will not be changed because we point out what he said is wrong, it will only be changed once he decides that benefit of doubt (positive observation) overrides determined criticism (negative observation).
The only way we can help is to love people and understand that we are all circumstantial beings, some are victims of circumstance while others are victors of circumstance. The choice however remains ours.
Bless you sir and take care.
Posted 04:10 04th December 2012
Ramage says...
Hey georgesmith read Wallaroo's post. That man is a true Wallaby supproter unlike you who can only moan whinge and abuse decent rugby players. If you cant understand Wallaroo's language I, as a qualified teacher and one who works helping children who have reading difficulties, am prepared to help you understand the well written post of Wallaroo. This man has more rugby knowledge than you will ever gain despite the best help.
Please forgive me as my keyboard has developed dyslexia. Or am I just getting too old lol. I must say you are wearying georgesmith with all your abusive posts.
Posted 13:23 03rd December 2012
paulynz says...
@Wallaroo
Well said mate. Not a fan of Robbie Deans myself but can't disagree with a word you've said.
Posted 03:53 03rd December 2012
2EyedKiwi says...
georgesmith. Genius.
Posted 21:14 02nd December 2012
Ripzy007 says...
georgesmith wgaf about what you think...probably just yourself...
Posted 19:51 02nd December 2012
Bones7 says...
In all honesty I can't think of anyone else who would have got so much out of so little. If the All Blacks had so many front line players out they would crumble, even with their depth. It has been more an issue of staying competitive for Deans this year, and he has done that and more. Hooper, Douglas and Cummings all proved their worth coming in to the set up I feel, and after a shaky few games Dave Dennis turned in some great performances against England and Wales where other coaches would perhaps have given him his marching orders.
Posted 18:21 02nd December 2012
Wallaroo says...
The honourable Robbie Deans continues to preside over the Wallabies. In all sincerity Robbie has passed with flying colours. With the amount of criticism launched at him from the media and ex-representatives, injuries to key personnel, disgruntled employees, internal politics, et al Robbie has stood strong and kept the Wallabies in the top 3. Don't know about you, but I have seen many a man broken by less negative attention, personal attacks and adversity.
As a mate (fellow Tahs supporter) pointed out to me, under him the Tahs players play better. That in itself speaks volumes. Something our ungrateful and pampered media seem to have neglected to mention or have not considered in their performance analysis.
Personally I don't like the Wallabies current brand of rugby albeit I'll take a winning formula any day, truthfully our defence has never been better and we have more wins than losses, our reputation therefore remains intact and that's what history looks at.
Posted 14:02 02nd December 2012
tafiwi says...
@georgesmith: Listen, Sharpie did an incredible job (bless him) and Dingo is resigning in March. Your loss Mate!
Posted 14:02 02nd December 2012
rugby_phile says...
Sharp quote "The thing I will miss the most is being in that team environment ". Stick that in your pipe and smoke it Mr Cooper.
Georgesmith, we are in the digital era so get rid of the stuck record mate, and oh, up the medication a bit, its not working.
Finally from an AB fan, well done the Wallabies, trust me it will be a better year with your injured boys back next year, and thanks for upholding the SH honour this week, our boys certainly didn't, and no excuses.
Time to give these boards a rest and hit the beach, have a good one everybody.
Posted 11:07 02nd December 2012
DameEdnasPossum says...
Pretty please.
Posted 10:23 02nd December 2012
Patron says...
You have to hand it to Deans and Gatland. They are exceptional coaches training Galahs.
Posted 03:46 02nd December 2012
georgesmith says...
Grandpa N. Sharpe and Kiwi loser R. Deans are two clowns in the same circus.
R. Deans has destroyed the Wallabies brand. Let's sack him please.........
Posted 01:14 02nd December 2012