Writing in the Sydney Morning Herald, Greg Growden reflects on Australia's thrilling victory over New Zealand in Hong Kong.
"Arm in arm, the Wallabies team stood as one near the halfway line, willing over a goal kick that would provide reward after months of toil. And James O'Connor, the youngest player in the Wallabies touring squad, was up to it.
He struck the conversion attempt of his own try perfectly and after 26 months and 10 straight trans-Tasman losses, the Wallabies discovered the benefits of sticking solid because at last they could boast a victory over the All Blacks.
As in Bloemfontein, when Kurtley Beale ended a 47-year drought on the South African highveld with a last-minute penalty goal, the Wallabies used Hong Kong Stadium to prove they can also overhaul the world's best in the final seconds of a Test. By ending New Zealand's 15 Test unbeaten streak with a dramatic 26-24 win, the Wallabies will enjoy an enormous boost in confidence and self-belief."
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