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Jim Tucker in Auckland The Daily Telegraph October 11, 2011 12:00am
Legendary Wallaby: Chris Handy. Picture: Ian Mainsbridge
Source: The Daily Telegraph
THE motherly inspiration of Mrs Pocock, Mrs Barnes and Mrs Horwill has driven the Wallabies into a climactic World Cup semi-final in partnership with the deeds of their burly boys David, Berrick and James.
The powerful message delivered in the private jersey presentation ceremony to the Wallabies before last Sunday's barely believable victory over South Africa was not about clubbing force in the forwards or smashing the Springboks.
Former Wallaby prop Chris Handy addressed the team on match eve with a poignant reminder of who they were representing and motherly pride. Handy's late mother would have turned 100 last weekend and he spoke of the proud moments in their shared lives that brought her to tears and encouraged the Wallabies to hold the same thought.
The Classic Wallaby of 61 struck a chord with his youthful audience, who knew little of his shedding blood as a Test prop in six Tests from the late 1970s or his colourful career as a former commentator and rugby larrikin. The choice of Handy was not by accident because it was he who passionately addressed the Wallabies as the jersey presenter before the winning 1999 World Cup final in Cardiff.
He presented then-skipper John Eales with a bottle of 1991 Grange. It signified the triumph of the World Cup-winning Wallabies of '91 but more pointedly that Handy expected a vintage Wallaby performance to be uncorked at Millennium Stadium.
Never has such a fine drop tasted so good when sipped down in plastic cups in a jubilant dressing room.
Handy presented skipper James Horwill with a bottle of 1987 Grange last weekend and offered the same urgings for the two steps to glory that are potentially ahead of the 2011 Wallabies.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/spo...-1226163365713