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Feed the backs ... Wallabies halfback Will Genia finds himself with plenty of support at a fans day at Sydney's TG Millner Field yesterday. Photo: Dean Sewell
The Wallabies gradually emerged from their hotel rooms in Coogee yesterday morning asking the same question. ''Is that score correct?''
They looked bewildered, peering at a television screen that showed Germany scoring goal after goal after goal after goal. They left, shaking their heads.
To some degree, the Wallabies could sympathise with the Socceroos, having suffered their share of dreadful international routs on South African soil recently - such as two years ago in Johannesburg when the Springboks belted them 53-8 - but were relieved they did not wake up at 4.30am to watch this World Cup humiliation.
And the Wallabies soon comprehended that this could be an opportune time to be a successful Australian football team.
This country is renowned for turning its back on wayward sporting sides, and immediately searching for another which can provide international glory. The Wallabies are suddenly that, after winning their past three Tests, but most importantly devastating England in Perth, when they were able to overcome major scrum deficiencies to decimate them elsewhere, in particular with their midfield attack and their defence right across the paddock.
Exasperated Socceroos fans might suddenly latch on to the Wallabies, especially as there is a strong chance in Sydney on Saturday night they can gain revenge on the same ground where Jonny Wilkinson won England the 2003 World Cup final.
And the Wallabies certainly discovered they were the flavour of the month at a fan day at TG Millner Field yesterday, where the several thousand who turned up for NSW junior state final matches had the added extra of getting the Test team's autographs.
Soon the old Eastwood metal boundary fence was getting bashed to the rhythm of ''Rocky Rocky Rocky'' when the Wallabies skipper appeared.
The Durban debacle does not mean the Wallabies will stop watching the World Cup. The team is involved in an elaborate World Cup sweepstakes, prompting players to align themselves with unfamiliar football teams.
Hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau has suddenly become an avid All Whites fan, after drawing New Zealand in the sweep.
''As much as I'd like to say it was a stitch-up, the fact of the matter is that I wasn't there when the draw was conducted,'' Polota-Nau said yesterday. ''So, yes, it was definitely a stitch-up.''
A certain second-rower, who had best remain nameless, drew Australia. According to onlookers he did not exactly leap about in delight when discovering the Socceroos were his team. When big money is involved, patriotism only goes so far.
According to one in the room: ''The look on his face when he drew it out of the hat was not one of joy.''
And that was before the Socceroos played Germany.
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/un...0614-yacu.html
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