"The South African metronome, his face stuck in a perpetual scowl, thrusts a meaty finger towards the uprights as if he owns them. You're mine, he growls, with the promise that in just a few short seconds an oval ball will be spiralling through them courtesy of his swinging right boot. If there's such a thing as a Test match animal then it is Pollard, the only fly-half present at the final whistle of two victorious World Cup campaigns."
"Then again, Pollard did kick all six of his shots at goal, adding 15 points to the score. By contrast James O'Connor missed three kicks. He failed to convert Brandon Paenga-Amosa's rolling maul try on 68 minutes before shanking two penalties late in the piece. That's eight points shelled in a game lost by as many. Is O'Connor to blame? Of course not,"
Handre Pollard dominated the finish, pointing to the posts and converting all six goal attempts to add 15 points. South Africa improved breakdown work, retained possession for extended periods and won the battle for the skies to limit Australia's roving loose forwards. The Springboks kept play tight, ensured ball carriers were rarely isolated and secured territorial advantage through tactical kicking. By contrast James O'Connor missed three kicks, failing to convert a rolling maul try and shanking two late penalties, costing Australia eight points. The match ended 30-22 in South Africa's favour. There remains a sense that Australia may still lack a crucial psychological edge despite tactical improvements under Joe Schmidt.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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