Weight of expectation rests on Wallabies after home success
It's funny how expectations can change in such a short period of time.
Six weeks ago Wallabies fans – and the team itself – would have been happy with any win against any opposition by any margin.
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But as Dave Rennie's team has built into this Rugby Championship, Australia's performances haven’t all been about the win column.
The coach welcomes introspection and acknowledged this project is still very much a work in progress after the Wallabies secured second spot on the RC table with a 32-17 win over a brave and proud Argentina on the Gold Coast.
A hat-trick to the ginger ninja - red-haired flyer Andrew Kellaway – helped the Wallabies to their first four-wins-in-a-row streak in Rugby Championship history.
Cooper Quade's errant boot prevented a complete blow-out, but a lack of killer instinct and execution in the final 20 minutes also contributed to the wastefulness.
With his team leading 15-3 at half-time, Wallabies assistant coach Dan McKellar demanded: "We need to put the foot on the throat from here.
"We've been a little but too cute."
His team found the Los Pumas' larynx after the resumption, pulling away to a 27-3 lead before trying to finesse their way to the end.
Argentina, down on troops but not on fight, clawed its way back to score two tries and put some respectability into the scoreline.
Former Wallaby Morgan Turinui said in commentary the difference between the two teams must be reflected on the scoreboard when the final whistle blows.
Perhaps it was.
Wallabies good, but expectations now call for better
Australia was good, but not as good as it could have been.
"We created a lot of opportunity (but) it was sloppy at the end," captain Michael Hooper said.
“For parts we were really good and hurt them easily … but we just kept letting them in the game.
"But we are gaining momentum and creating a bit of Wallaby rugby.
"At times we are really dangerous and clinical and physical – things we want to be known for.
"We have to keep growing that. We are not where we want to be, but it's pleasing to be singing the (victory) song in the change-room."
It’s now onto the spring tour via Japan for a testing four-match run against northern hemisphere opposition.
Having climbed to the third on the world rankings, the Wallabies will be marked heavily by what they produce in Tests against the Cherry Blossoms, Scotland, England and Wales.
It's called expectation.
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