Aussie rugby team wins through to Maccabiah semis

DAVID WEINER IN NETANYA

AUSTRALIA’S rugby team thrashed old rival South Africa 19-5 on Thursday night (July 16) to keep the dream for gold alive. Captain Al Lehrer, who scored the match-winning try, said the boys were absolutely “exhausted” but “pumped” after the match, achieving a goal they set themselves months ago.

A raucous crowd was in the stands, and while the Billtong was selling fast across the terrace, the battle lines were clearly drawn amongst the crowd.

Australia capitalised on a positive early start, with Dean Isdale barging over for the opener in the far corner after quick thinking, a quick tap and too much strength.

Both sides unleashed some running rugby. The Aussies enjoyed the chance to sling the ball out the backline, and from Lehrer to Nick Molnar, the entire three-quarter line found themselves in space throughout the match.

The quick hands and skill paid dividends when Lehrer and then Lance Friedman coolly summed up the situation and created a 3 v 2 situation down the right edge. Keith Friedlander played his part, shovelling it out to Jarred Shein, who couldn’t be stopped on a 25-metre surge to the stripe. Steve Cohen nailed the sideline conversion.

On the other side of the ledger, the South Africans hit the post off a penalty attempt that would’ve made it 5-3, and were making a number of good inroads, but if they weren’t spilling the pill, then an Aussie defender was never too far away in scramble defence.

South Africa had the first shot at points in the second term, but their 40-metre penalty shot fell just short. However, the South Africans were having their best spell of the match, earning a run of penalties —- they forced their way over in the same corner as the Aussies did, in a similar vein. 12-5 Australia.

The huge amount of stoppages helped the Aussies regroup. Lance Friedman put Yoni Sonnabend into a hole with one of the side’s pet plays, Nick Molnar was collared within metres of the try line, before Freidman’s inside flick to a flying Lehrer was another move to add to the show reel.

The side was much more competitive in the battle up front, with Gary Samowitz bravely returning early from injury, while Ben Selwyn and Jon-Jon Levy were strong all match.

Just as South Africa looked to up the ante, Lehrer made them pay the ultimate price for more sloppy passing; snapping up a loose ball to outsprint the chasing pack over 70 metres to set up an unassailable 19-5 lead.

The win secures Australia a place in the second phase of competition.