Will Genia laid claim to the mantle of best halfback in world rugby as he inspired the Wallabies to a morale-boosting 27-19 first Test victory over Six Nations champions Wales on Saturday night.
Man-of-the-match Genia scored a brilliant solo try and snuffed out a Welsh comeback by setting up the match-clincher to Pat McCabe to continue Australia’s love affair with Suncorp Stadium.
The Wallabies rebounded impressively from Tuesday night’s Scottish disaster with an enterprising ball-in-hand game plan at their Brisbane fortress to take the heat off under-pressure coach Robbie Deans.
In a stark contrast to their dreary 9-6 upset loss to the Scots in Newcastle, the Wallabies showed cohesion, poise and smarts for three tries to one in an enthralling contest.
Full of running and vigour, they looked home and hosed when five-eighth Berrick Barnes potted a field goal in the 51st minute for a 20-6 lead.
But Wales, desperate to end a 43-year drought in Australia, fought back well and closed to within one point with 15 minutes to play as debutant Ashley Beck, with his first touch of the ball, put winger Alex Cuthbert over.
However Genia, who lowered the colours of highly-rated opposite number Mike Phillips, brought the 42,788-crowd to its feet by delivering a perfect pass to centre McCabe who burst through from 10m out.
The Queensland halfback, who scored a solo 40m try 55 seconds into the second half, was the hero but there was a host of senior players who stood up and made significant contributions.
Captain David Pocock won his positional battle against Welsh skipper Sam Warburton as the home side enjoyed quick ruck ball, while fullback Adam Ashley-Cooper and prop Benn Robinson were outstanding.
Blockbusting winger Digby Ioane and back-rower Scott Higginbotham also starred in no-holds-barred displays and besieged playmaker Barnes also produced a fine match.
“We had a lot of fun out there,” said Pocock. “It was great to play in front of a crowd like that.
“I thought Will Genia and Berrick Barnes controlled play very well and did great for us.”
Both captains made an impact from the outset with Pocock and Warburton forcing ruck penalties in the opening minutes but as the half wore on it was the Australian flanker who had more influence.
The speed of ruck ball enabled Genia to probe the strong Welsh defensive line, which conceded only three tries in the Six Nations, and continually surpass the advantage line.
The Wallabies showed their determination to run the ball from the outset and their skills were a far cry from the Newcastle debacle.
Raw-boned Higginbotham scored the only try of the first half but the Wallabies were dominant as they made a series of line-breaks to grab a 10-3 lead.
The tourists suffered a major blow on the half-hour mark when destructive winger George North was replaced with a quad injury to put him in doubt for next week’s second Test in Melbourne.
