That Wallaby loss to the Lions, at the death in Melbourne? I cannot remember a more gutting loss. To have played so well; to have led at one stage by EIGHTEEN points; to still be holding on to the lead with 45 seconds to go; to have deserved to win and take the series to a third Test decider ... and then lose a keenly contested decider in Sydney, was, did I mention, gutting. As to whether the last try was legitimate or not, buggered if I know. I didn’t understand the nuances of the rules when I played, and I understand them still less now. What I can say is that on a 50/50 call, a referee could be forgiven for giving the benefit of the doubt to the underdog team that had made the running to that point, who was on the edge of history. For the overall good of the game, for the vibe of the thing, the pity is that not the Wallabies were denied victory on a technicality, it is that the Lions weren’t denied victory on the same! Nothing changes, however, how magnificently well the Wallabies played. I repeat: up against an All-Star team from four leading rugby nations, they were good enough in that first 40 minutes to score three scintillating tries, and beat the Lions back. All of them played well, some – like Will Skelton, Fraser McReight and Max Jorgensen – were outstanding. Bob Dwyer’s edict, that to win a World Cup you need five players who are the best in their position in the world, is starting to come into play.