At last, a glimmer of hope.
A glorious Saturday when club rugby showed it was alive, well and merrily kicking, followed by a rare Wallabies Test performance worthy of merit provided crucial rejuvenation at a time where many diehards have lost faith with those in charge of the game.
It's a long while since an Australian rugby match has been played in front of a 'house full' sign. That's why the 17,000-plus who filled every available spectator space at North Sydney Oval for the Shute Shield final between Warringah and Northern Suburbs knew they were involved in something special.
This was the day when the loyal grassroots volunteer army that underpins the game showed they reign and will never be knocked down -- despite the atrocious treatment they receive from the Australian Rugby Union. This was the day when everything good about rugby was on show.
At a time when the Australian rugby public has tired of the Super Rugby format, and remain bewildered by how the ARU have upset one side of the country through its arrogant attitude, being at Bear Park gave one faith that good, honest people, who are involved in the game for all the right reasons, will eventually get the code out of its current mess.
At the ground were hundreds of families -- and a horde of children -- enjoying every moment of this tribal battle. Before the game and at half-time the ground was invaded by kids and parents, kicking, passing, tackling each other and having the time of their lives.
Before kickoff, the player tunnels went for more than 50 metres -- with spectators two or three deep all the way along each line. Where we sat on the hill, it wasn't grumpy old men, but children with footies tucked under the arm. Some were even brave enough to wear Wallabies tops.
Then they all watched a final that really meant something. Last year's Shute Shield final was memorable, with Norths' first premiership in 41 years prompting a crowd invasion that forced the game to end early. This year's final was even better, to the extent that every person at the ground will be saying for years to come that they were there the day Australian Rugby showed it still had a pulse.
The final had its many moments. There was high emotion with Warringah's try-scorers included Sam Ward, whose brother Lachlan died in June after collapsing during a lower-grade match for the club. There were important individual efforts, with Warringah winger Harry Jones a standout. There was anguish when Norths dropped the ball with the tryline only metres away. Then there was the delight when the Warringah Rats won the title -- their first fully fledged premiership, as their 2005 Shute Shield victory involved an abridged competition format. As Sam Ward raised the Shute Shield, in the background his teammates lifted a photograph of his late brother.
Then came the moment we were all dreading. Heading home, reverting into couch potatoes and ghoulishly watch the Wallabies getting belted in Dunedin. Quite a few didn't bother -- deciding instead to enjoy the North Sydney Oval experience for as long as it lasted.
But hang on. What's this? You peek out between your fingers, and discover the Wallabies actually having a go, actually making a difference, actually competing with the All Blacks.
Even more giddily, Australia were leading at halftime. I thought there was a strange herbal aromatic odour wafting across Bear Park, making one feel somewhat light headed, but this was ridiculous.
Unfortunately the dream carpet ride didn't last, as the Wallabies fell away and the Bledisloe Cup is gone for the 15th year running. But the Wallabies did enough to convince many to keep the faith. As has been the custom of Wallabies team for decades, they produce only when placed under enormous pressure. If they can slacken off, they will. But if the war drums are beating, demanding their heads, they get their act together -- as they did in Dunedin.
The Australian defence had to improve. It could not be any worse than in Sydney the weekend before. Their attack was more cohesive, and individually so many who vanished at ANZ Stadium picked up their acts. They were actually sighted, and made an impact.
While Sean McMahon was a standout, it is still obvious the Wallabies backrow is not right -- and they must move McMahon to blindside flanker and bring in Lopeti Timani at No 8. The scrum, completely dominated by the All Blacks, was also a serious concern. Goalkicking under pressure wasn't up to the mark.
It was at least pleasing that Wallabies coach Michael Cheika did not try to sugar-coat the performance. As he said, the Wallabies should have won. But they didn't. That's the point.
Australia should have finished off the All Blacks, who were so off colour and provided ample opportunities to be beaten. It has been a considerable amount of time since a New Zealand team has looked so out of sorts.
And until the Wallabies grasp such rare moments and swamp good teams, they will remain off the pace.
How they fare against the Springboks in a fortnight's time in Perth -- an angry city discarded by the ARU masterminds -- will show whether the Australian rugby heart is pumping healthily or just enjoying a brief shot of adrenalin.