Sean Maloney: The point that's being missed in the Nic White firestorm
It's been a while since I last wrapped a weekend for you but after pleading with my editor they've let me have another dip.
It's good to be back.
Actually, it's really good to go again. Here's why.
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Wallabies fans at Adelaide Oval. Getty
A1 ADELAIDE
I'll get to the game in a second but first, Adelaide, take a bow for your turnout and promotion of Saturday's game.
There was plenty of signage around the city, full page ads in print with Wallabies and Wallaroos promos and, most importantly, fans.
My hotel room overlooked the main bridge which crosses the Torrens to the Oval and there was a steady stream of people from 10am, which ended up totalling 37,000.
And when they reached the iconic venue they brought plenty of atmosphere with them in the warm winter sun.
Here's hoping it's not 18 years before the next Test match there.
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CYCLONE KOROIBETE
It's hard to remember a better all-round performance from a winger in Test rugby than Marika Koroibete's against the Springboks.
He rightly grabbed all the headlines along with the tackle of the decade and a beautifully worked try.
He was in everything and everything was done at a cyclonic pace.
NEW PODCAST! Sean Maloney and Andrew Mehrtens are joined by Stephen Hoiles to discuss life in LA. The trio also review the huge third round of the Rugby Championship and look ahead to the Shute Shield final
This week's guest on Between Two Posts, Stephen Hoiles, says he was the talk of the town at every junior game he attended on Sunday too.
The kids wanna be Koroibete and you love to see it.
SLAPPED SILLY
Well, there's no question everyone went completely bonkers about Faf de Klerk's yellow card in Adelaide.
Fans lost it, ex-players teed off too.
The best and most measured approach from either side came in the cold light of Sunday morning at the airport.
A group of South African fans spotted Nic White and his team mates and from a distance started lobbing a couple of gentle, smart arse remarks including "we're very happy to see you're not in the ICU my bro."
White laughed along with them, they had a chuckle and everybody moved on.
Rugby is after all… a game.
Joe Heyes of England has a drink at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Getty
NO H2O
Additional water breaks have been brought in at Test level and the reaction from fans, broadcasters and even players and coaches has been universally adverse.
We tried it, we clearly don't need it… let's lose it.
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet kicks a rugby ball at Allianz Stadium. Getty
YOU'RE THE VOICE
I was lucky enough to get a taste test at the new Allianz Stadium on Sunday night with Guy Sebastian putting the new venue through its paces.
The Aussie singer got a huge reaction from the crowd of about 15,000 when he blasted out 'You're the Voice' as a tribute to his good mate John Farnham.
He almost raised the roof with 'only' 15,000.
It was electric. The joint is just full of energy.
If we lift that to a sell out for Wallabies vs Springboks, the place will be deafening.
Get your tickets while you still can - you are guaranteed to have a night you won't forget.
CALIFORNIA DREAMIN'
Finally, to our Aussie men's sevens team who have just been crowned World Series champions In LA.
This is a squad that was shredded through COVID, lost a bunch of players, switched coaches, played in the shadow of their sisters at Moore Park and still found a way to be crowned the best team in the world.
They've unearthed genuine stars in Corey Toole and Henry Paterson while their specialists like Maurice Longbottom, Henry Hutchison, Josh Turner and Nick Malouf provided the shape and direction required to be No.1.
In addition to their talents on field they are just a bunch of good, good kids.
Next up, it's the Sevens World Cup In Cape Town which is only 10 days away.
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