Wallabies playmakers put their hands up as TV figures show game in rude health

1. Nic White puts his hand up.
There is so much that has been missed from Bledisloe I, given the extraordinary finish to the game. Bernard Foley’s excellent return was relegated to the secondary storyline, but the performance was so good that he surely took hold of the No.10 jersey for the return clash in Auckland. Thank you, Japan (see point No.4).

But, a razor sharp display off the bench from Nic White was also significant. Distracted in Sydney – in hindsight he should have been selected – he was uncluttered at Marvel Stadium and provided the Wallabies attack with real purpose. In those 27 minutes, he may have reclaimed the No.9 jersey.

2. Rugby Australia was the winner.
RA chairman Hamish McLennan looked like he had been forced to consume two-week old milk as the post-Test pleasantries unfolded on the Marvel Stadium turf, with NZ Rugby counterpart Stewart Mitchell to his left. However, the TV ratings that followed must have eased the nausea.

As revealed by colleague Iain Payten, the combined figure was more than 1 million, including an implied number of Stan viewers that was significantly more than 300k. They are great numbers because they point to a healthy number of fans already committed to rugby, and a significant number who could be persuaded if the product is right. Come on over, Joseph, and bring Latrell with you – he’ll wear a Wallabies jersey that honours his heritage and most certainly won’t be booed.

3. Lalakai Foketi is Australia’s most improved.
Hunter Paisami must still be regarded as the frontrunner for the No.12 jersey at Eden Park if he has recovered from the concussion he suffered against the Springboks. However, Dave Rennie will not lose any sleep if he has to go with the Foketi again. The Waratahs No.12 is arguably the most improved player in Australia.

He has reduced his error rate considerably in recent years and would have enjoyed a moment in the sun had Foley not been penalised for time-wasting against the All Blacks. It was Foketi who earned the ruck penalty that appeared to have won the game for the Wallabies. I’m not convinced he was supporting his body weight, but Raynal had refereed the game that way, giving the defending teams the benefit of the doubt at the breakdown. It remains an issue.

4. Malcolm Marx does a good sales job for Japan.
The Japanese want a cross-border club competition, although it’s debatable whether the same appetite exists in Australia and New Zealand. However, it’s getting harder and harder to argue that players don’t actually improve when they head to Japan.

Springboks hooker Malcolm Marx in a case in point. He’s always been a beast, but the skill level he showed in the Boks’ win against Argentina was excellent: a terrific left-hand pass to set up one score, and great hands to claim the crucial bonus-point try at the end. He just wasn’t that well-rounded before he signed for Kubota Spears.