Well, like the rest of the southern hemisphere sides, we are off to a decider in our July Test series.
England were too good in Brisbane, good job them and their pockets of hardened fans who made plenty of noise at Suncorp.
This article is being typed through floods of tears at the thought of a sweep gone missing, excuse any typos.
Watch the Wallabies vs England series decider live on 9Now plus All Blacks vs Ireland, Springboks vs Wales and Pumas vs Scotland ad free and exclusive on Stan Sport!
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FIRST NATIONS, FIRST CLASS
Where to start with Saturday night’s pre-game?
To mark both the start of NAIDOC week and the Wallabies wearing their indigenous jerseys, the pigeon and/or pigeons at Rugby Australia went all out.
First, Suncorp rocked with MItch Tambo’s Gamilaraay version of John Farnham’s You’re the Voice.
Then came Shannon Ruska’s heartfelt and entertaining Welcome to Country.
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It all reached a beautiful crescendo with Yugambeh songstress Candace Kruger’s choir delivering the backing track to the Aussie anthem, sung by the Wallabies in local First Nations language.
Plenty believe it was the most spectacular start to a night’s rugby in Australia in a long, long time.
Well done pigeons.
FLAWLESS FOR THIRTY
I was fortunate enough to commentate England’s domination of the All Blacks in Japan’s World Cup semi final in 2019.
In that match, England had a lineout on the 50m line, 30 seconds into the match.
Seven glorious phases later Manu Tuilagi crossed and they were never headed.
In fact, they were virtually mistake-free the entire opening half hour.
Same could be said of Saturday.
Australia weren’t bad, it was just England wouldn’t let them play.
The Wallabies didn’t even carry the ball into the English 22 until the 36th minute.
MP FOR PM AT SUNCORP
Hard working Wallabies lock Matt Philip must do a happy dance each time he sees he’s set to play at Suncorp.
Every time ‘MP’ has started in Brisbane he has been herculean for Australia.
The big guy was at it again at the weekend, stealing lineouts, cleaning blokes up at the ruck and doing a mountain of work off the ball.
As Shooter says, “must be something in the water”.
ENOUGH ALREADY
It was a tough watch seeing two of the most exciting players in Aussie rugby leave the field with injury on Saturday night.
Unassuming attacking sensation Jordan Petaia was first with a serious head knock, then his replacement Izaia Perese went off with a bad knee injury.
The pair have done it tough on that front on numerous occasions in their short careers.
Wishing the likeable duo a speedy recovery.
MONEY FOR HEARTS
Well known charity Hearts In Union will be hoping for a try-scoring shootout at the SCG on Saturday with The Rugby Foundation donating $5000 for every five-pointer scored across the series.
Former Wallaby Richard Tombs heads up Hearts while former referee’s boss Scott Young is the man writing cheques from the Foundation.
Click here for more on what Hearts are about.
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GETTING SALTY AGAIN
Aqua Rugby is set to go again before Christmas with founder Jimmy Galvin launching the event in Manly this Thursday.
Drew Mitchell will be there for Rugby Heaven, checking in with his good mates Adam Ashley-Cooper and Matt Giteau.
I’m told the headline ambassador for the event will be one of the biggest names in world rugby.
Check it out from 7.30pm Thursday night.
AND FINALLY
I’ve heard whispers there’s a thumping pre-game lined up for the SCG as well.
Get there early, grab a free hair cut at the Ol’ English Barber, meet a bunch of the Wallabies in the precinct and settle in for something special.
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FINALLY, FINALLY…
Rugby Heaven producer Ollie has landed a major coup with Aussie icon John Williamson set to perform live on the show this Thursday.
If you want to be in the audience, head here.
In the meantime, see you for a classic hit of Between Two Posts alongside Andrew Mehrtens tonight from 7.30pm on Stan Sport.
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