David Leggat: When momentum really matters

The Warriors Lance Hohaia hugs a teammate as he and Jesse Royal celebrate victory over the Eels. Photo / Getty Images

Momentum. The Warriors have got it. So too, the Tall Blacks, and the Australian netballers, although there's so little between them and the Silver Ferns that yesterday's result might not mean much in the bigger - Commonwealth Games - picture in a month.

It is a huge part of sport, this thing called momentum. If you've got it, confidence soars.

A team believes it can hurdle obstacles which, at other times, it might hesitate at. So the convincing win over the Parramatta Eels should set the Warriors up nicely for Friday night against the Gold Coast Titans in Queensland.

The Tall Blacks must be feeling they've given themselves a jab of confidence, too, having eased past Lebanon, Canada and France to face Russia early tomorrow for a place in the quarter-finals.

Kirk Penney is second-top points scorer in the world championships, their defence smartened up against France, so after losses to much-higher-ranked Lithuania and Spain, they have rattled up three wins on the bounce, therefore they seem to be giving themselves every opportunity at precisely the right time.

The world rankings have New Zealand at No 13, Russia at No 17 so ...

And what of the Wallabies?

You might argue that having beaten South Africa 41-39 for their first win on the highveld since shortly before JFK was grassy-knolled in Dallas, they would be feeling pretty good about themselves.

But hang on a moment.

As they prepare to play the All Blacks in Sydney this weekend, consider that they were 31-6 up a minute before halftime and only secured the win with a remarkable 55m penalty in the last moment by an unlikely goalkicking hero in Kurtley Beale.

Consider also that much of this test, for all the rollicking entertainment on show, contained slapstick defence from both sides plus a feeling that it didn't really matter.

And before you reach for the reply button, this is only related to context.

There were some truly dumb moments and with the Tri-Nations title long decided, it was a test without a defined purpose, other than to try and win in a one-off contest.

It mattered seriously to Robbie Deans, whom Beale gave something to cheer on his 51st birthday, and Peter de Villiers. Talk about men under the pump. Of the two, Deans has much the better chance of making it to the World Cup finals.

Australia looked to be playing the sort of game they feel will be required, and next weekend could be a doozy if they can replicate the running pizzazz and put a dose of starch into their defence.

South Africa, whose players may never have been booed by their own faithful as they were before halftime in Bloemfontein yesterday, look unable, or unwilling, to open themselves up to expansion.

When in doubt that is not their default position.

Still, in Morne Steyn they have the best kicker in the game. Bar none. Yesterday it was 9-from-9 and it's got to the stage where you can write it down before he's placed the ball. From anywhere.

On his many trips through various passport controls, he probably puts "goal kicker" down as his occupation.

From a neutral standpoint, there was much to enjoy.

Take Victor Matfield, who conjured perhaps the finest piece of individual skill in the match with his chip over the final defender and re-gather on the full to set up the first Springbok try.

Old Vic he might be, but notably when soaring high in his specialist rugby art at the lineout, he has the bearing of something vaguely Shakespearean.

Assuming he is given a rest - call it a rotate if you like - before the World Cup, expect him to be around for the Webb Ellis Cup next year.

Which you can't bank on for de Villiers.

All the signs point to a disconnect between coach and players. South Africa's problem is that time is running out if they're going to make a change.

The players either ignore the coach, or they're not particularly tuned in regardless of the instructions.

Yesterday's game also contained perhaps the finest "falcon" you'll ever see.

Quade Cooper's long pass cannoned off Beale's bonce as he was looking to regain his feet after slipping.

He went back down like he'd copped a peach of a right hook. Just brilliant, if unintentional comedy.

But Beale had the last laugh. He appeals as a young man of spirit and skill.

His post-match interview was one of those "mate" chats the Aussies do so well. Six times the "M" word passed his lips in about 90 seconds.

There will be those who scoffed at the occasional beach footy nature of the game. They'll probably be the same people who are arrogant enough to think these two sides are no show next year if the All Blacks maintain their current progress.

So just for you folk, here are five reasons you would be exceedingly wise to keep your powder Sahara dry: 1991, 1995, 1999, 2003 and 2007.


Weekend winner:

The Warriors. In the right frame of mind going into the NRL playoffs.

What to watch:

Take your pick: The Tall Blacks against Russia early tomorrow; the Warriors against the Gold Coast Titans on Friday night; or All Blacks against the Wallabies next Saturday night. Bloke heaven.