The grand slam is gone for the Wallabies - but the Tevita slam lives on.
While hopes of ending a 32-year grand slam drought were crushed with a 27-24 defeat to Ireland in Dublin on Saturday, centre Tevita Kuridrani kept alive his chances of emulating the try-scoring feats of the great Mark Ella from that tour.
Ella famously scored a try in every match of that 1984 tour as Australia took down all four 'home nations' - England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
Saturday's was Kuridrani's fourth try in as many games on tour, and should he score a fifth against England he'd have created a slice of history which not even Ella was able to - given Kuridrani also notched an additional five-pointer against France last weekend.
The 25-year-old scored shortly after halftime on Saturday, finishing off a simple try following some slick hands from his teammates.
It was sandwiched between Dane Haylett-Petty's try right before halftime, and the 57th minute effort from Sefa Naivalu which handed Australia a shock lead.
"I was really pleased in the second half because we played some really good rugby and that's what we've said - I'm not going to change my tune from day one when we got here," coach Michael Cheika said.
Kuridrani's tries have been crucial and spectacular across the four games - with his effort in Scotland proving the match-winner in the dying moments, while in France he produced an athletic leap and acrobatic putdown which had Cheika leaping out of his seat.
Kuridrani is reportedly in the sights of cashed-up French club Bordeaux, who are in the market for a dynamic centre.
He has played 43 Tests and, having lost his starting spot to close friend Samu Kerevi this year, is enjoying an outstanding Spring Tour in the absence of his injured mate.
Share
