With just a year to go to the big kick-off in the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia on Wednesday, 1 October the Wallabies have proved they are ready to come to the party.
Their 42-38 win over the world champion Springboks in Perth last weekend came despite them going down to 11 men through four yellow cards in the final quarter.
They will kick-off next year’s tournament at the same venue when they meet Hong Kong China on 1 October, 2027.
In one of the most extraordinary finishes ever witnessed in an international fixture the home side first lost skipper and No.8 Harry Wilson in the 68th minute with his side leading 42-17. Then scrum half Ryan Lonegan saw yellow as he conceded a penalty try for diving into the back row of the Springboks scrum in the shadow of the posts.
At 42-24 the fightback was on and the South Africans got another boost when wing Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii became the third Wallaby to see yellow in the 71st minute. It was no surprise when Morne van den Berg picked up another try and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s conversion made it 42-31 with seven minutes to go.
Cue further mayhem for the Wallabies after they thought they had sealed the deal with an interception try from full back Tom Wright. But the TMO came in after looking at a head high tackle in the build-up to the score and it ended with the try being chalked off and centre Hunter Paisami joining Wilson, Lonergan and Suaalii in the sin bin in the 75th minute.
Now the game was truly hanging in the balance as the No 1 side in the world, who came into the game having made 13 changes from the side that had clinched a 3-1 series win over New Zealand, went in for the kill.
A try on the stroke of time from prop Ox Nche was then improved by Feinberg-Mngomezulu and the game was now a mere four points at 42-38. The referee indicated there was time for the re-start, although by now the Wallabies were back up to 13 men.
All they needed was one stoppage in play, while the Springboks needed one more score to win. The home crowd exploded when a gold shirt secured a terrific turnover to win a penalty and mean a simple kick off the pitch would be enough to take the win.
It was quite some finish – and don’t forget that Wilson & Co will be coming to Cardiff in the second phase of the Nations Championship in November to face Wales. That game is at Principality Stadium on Saturday, 21 November (8.10pm) while Wales will also face New Zealand a week earlier (KO 2.30pm) in Cardiff.
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“You can plan for many things, talking about if this happens or that happens… but when you sit and talk about the scenarios, nothing could prepare you for that,” said Aussie head coach Kiss after the game.
“I talk about this backyard spirit, that’s something that came through in that space where you just find a way. You just know that it’s important.”
Next up for the Wallabies are the All Blacks in a two-Test Bledisloe Cup Series. It is a trophy the Australians last held way back in 2002 – a year before they last held the World Cup, when they reached the final before going down in extra-time to that Jonny Wilkinson drop goal.
The first of the two games is at Eden Park on Saturday 10 October, with the return match being staged at the Accor Stadium in Sydney.
The All Blacks have announced their 34-strong squad for the series. Hooker Cody Taylor has been named as captain in the continued absence through injury of Ardie Savea.
Former skipper Scott Barrett rejoins his brothers Beauden and Jordie in the All Blacks’ squad for the first time this season after recovering from back surgery. Shannon Frizell has been recalled for the first time since 2023 to bolster a depleted backrow.