Throw some Ds on it: discipline, drive and droughts break in a weekend of sports

From heroic comebacks to gritty performances under pressure, it was a weekend full of drama for our rugby codes.

A weekend where a loss felt like a courageous win, vital points were bagged, and decade-long droughts were broken. Without further ado, let’s kick it off!

In a historic upset, the Australian Wallabies stunned the South African Springboks with a commanding 38-22 victory at a silenced Ellis Park.

It marked Australia’s first win in Johannesburg since 1963, as the men in green and gold silenced Springbok fans with 38 unanswered points.

Down 22-0 at half-time, it looked as though the 2023 World Cup winners were set to win. However, Wallabies head coach Joe Schmidt reminded the home side that it is a game of two halves.

From the start of the second 40, it was all Australia. Skipper Harry Wilson finished off a cracking try off the back of some individual brilliance from Tom Wright. The Wallabies capitalised on what looked like Springbok fatigue, and they didn’t let up.

The momentum only increased when fullback and NRL convert Joseph-Aukuso Suali’i read the play perfectly, intercepting the ball to charge 50 metres and score under the sticks, despite a desperate chase from Boks fly-half Manie Libbok, and right winger Edwill Van Der Merwe.

Despite the Boks’ efforts to attack down their left edge, mistakes continued to mount. Eventually, Wright rewarded his efforts by scoring the final try to seal the match.

Kudos to an impressive kicking performance from Wallabies fly-half James O'Connor, who added the extra points. The Springboks’ 82 to 17 winning percentage did not matter in the slightest on this occasion.

As they say, legends must fall, and this loss for South Africa will bring them back down to earth.

After looking exhausted throughout the second half, they’ll have plenty to review in post-match game analysis before both teams face off again.

Meanwhile, the resurrection of Australian rugby is well underway. Schmidt and his men will regroup before another 3am, NZ Time, kick-off in South Africa this Sunday.

Women’s Warriors vs Raiders

Despite a final score of 20-16 against the Canberra Raiders, the mana of our Wah-hine Toa shone through the adversity they faced.

With captain Apii Nicholls and superstar Patricia Maliepo ruled out due to a calf injury, the side had already undergone major reshuffles in the starting line-up. But the real challenge came early on when two red cards in the first half left the team fighting an uphill battle.

Women's Warriors against the Raiders. Photo/Bruce Lim/Photosport

Matekino Gray was the first to be sent off in the 21st minute for a dangerous high tackle. Shortly after, centre Tysha Ikenasio was sidelined for a hip-drop tackle.

Knowing they were at a disadvantage playing 11 vs 13 for the rest of the match, the Wah-hine refused to fold. Instead, they rose to the occasion through outstanding leadership, particularly from their forwards.

Wahs prop and interim captain Harata Butler was simply admirable, scoring near-tries while held up by several Raiders players. Second-rower Maarire Puketapu was just as instrumental, slipping out of tackles to assist debutant Lavinia Tauhalaliku with a try.

The post-match statistics show the Wahs racked up a total of 452 metres compared to Canberra’s 279.

Wahs winger Payton Takimoana continued her hot streak by adding two more tries to her name, both scored in tight spaces.

While the absence of Maliepo’s kicking may have been a key factor in the loss in Hamilton, the Wāhine Toa fought valiantly and won the second half three tries to one.

They go into training this week with a lot of positives before they return to Hamilton to host the Cronulla Sharks on Sunday. Kick-off is 3.45pm NZT.

Warriors vs Dragons

The Warriors men finally snapped their losing streak with a clutch 14-10 victory over the St George Illawarra Dragons at Go Media Stadium on Friday night.

Following a dramatic golden-point thriller the previous evening, where the Melbourne Storm edged out the Penrith Panthers, the stage was set for the Wahs to climb back into fourth place, and they seized the opportunity.

Head coach Andrew Webster says coming off consecutive losses, he didn’t expect a win by a big margin.

However, their half-time deficit of 14-4 could be due to a lack of discipline and failure to execute key plays, as the visitors received repeated sets due to consecutive ruck infringements by the home side.

Warriors centre, Adam Pompey scoring. Photo/Brett Phibbs/Photosport

Conceding a total of 10 errors compared to the Dragons’ seven, Webster says it was their own unforced errors that let them down.

“We actually had errors off one-up hitups or fundamental ones, or dumb penalties. So, fundamental mistakes were the issue for us,” Webster told reporters.

The Wahs managed to secure two points in a thrilling match that kept fans on the edge of their seats.

They remained level with their opponents until the last 10 minutes when centre Adam Pompey scored his second try by dotting down on the short side to seal the victory.

With nearly 23,300 fans in attendance, there was a collective sigh of relief as their beloved team clinched a hard-fought win.

The Warriors will have another opportunity to face the Gold Coast Titans this Saturday at Cbus Super Stadium, Robina, with kick-off scheduled for 7.30pm.