The Wallabies Sydney University foursome of Ben McCalman, Berrick Barnes, Luke Burgess and Dean Mumm all played their part in the team’s dramatic last-minute defeat of the All Blacks, 26-24, last weekend in Hong Kong.
McCalman started the game at number eight, while Barnes, Burgess and Mumm were all influential off the bench for a Wallabies team that roared back in to a game that no one saw them winning in the second half.
After the Wallabies had sprinted out of the blocks early to lead 12-0, they undid all their hard work right at the end of the first half. The All-Blacks countered the Wallabies with their own two quick tries, both converted, to lead 14-12 at half-time.
All the momentum was with New Zealand in the second half, and it seemed as though all was lost for the Wallabies as they trailed 24-12 with just 20 minutes left on the clock. That was until they scored the last two converted tries of the game, including one after the siren to James O’Connor, to win their first game against the trans-Tasman rivals in 10 starts.
The Wallabies next take on Wales in Cardiff this Saturday. Sydney University’s Nick Phipps and Pat McCutcheon will be hoping of gaining a spot on the bench.
