All that way... for that. Everyone said George Gregan must be mad to travel 24,000 miles in four days then go out to play 80 minutes of international rugby. But what will have drained the Wallabies captain more than over-familiarity with miniature meals and bad movies will be the result.

If the proud father, who flew home for the birth then back again for the fight, felt disorientated at the end of this classic up-and-downer, it will have been from the pounding he took at the base of the scrum, where the traffic was particularly heavy. And it will not have been leavened by any suggestion that this game didn't really matter.

Gregan was as lively as anyone on the pitch. Outside him, Stephen Larkham had no doubts he'd come through. 'He's a total professional,' said the stand-off. 'In fact I don't know of another player in the game more so.'

In conversation recently, the mighty Colin Meads said he thought Gregan was 'a great player, not necessarily a great captain'. It was hard to agree. One moment yesterday underlined his tactical awareness.

On England's line near the end of the first session with Australia trailing 16-6, Gregan asked how long was left with a penalty on offer. Forty seconds. Many would have gone for the three points. Gregan chose a scrum. And then, after an England infringement, another one. It was calmness itself. A neat pass and Elton Flatley was scampering over to repair the deficit. Excellent decision making.

When Gregan animatedly informed the referee that there were two balls on the pitch as he was about to feed the scrum, the tough-talking New Zealander replied: 'Just calm down, okay?' There could be no question that Gregan was up for this one.

Bon voyage, captain.

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