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KO'd: Rocky Elsom's Wallabies go down in Christchurch
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- Australia
- New Zealand
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- Minute-by-minute: How the All Blacks got the job done
New Zealand beat an improved Australia outfit 20-10 in Christchurch on Saturday to retain the Bledisloe Cup, but will have to wait a little longer to win back their Tri-Nations crown.
The All Blacks needed five points from this clash at AMI Stadium to bring the Tri-Nations tournament to a premature end, however they could only manage two tries thanks to some strong defence by the Wallabies who kept their hosts at bay.
Richie McCaw and his troops now require just a lone bonus point from their remaining two away matches against Australia and South Africa to make it a fait accompli following the world's top-ranked team's thirteenth consecutive Test win.
The 10-point triumph also was a record-equalling ninth successive victory over Australia, who have now gone eight years without the Bledisloe Cup. The Wallabies delivered a vastly-improved showing on the previous week's debacle in Melbourne, but the All Blacks still had too much power and precision to deny their trans-Tasman rivals a much-needed victory.
The Wallabies continue to miss Quade Cooper, a player capable of breaking the line from the fly-half position. While Matt Giteau disappointed, his cause wasn't helped by an inconsistent showing by this forwards, as a large amount of possession often didn't translate into ground gained. It was a credit to the home defence and their work on the deck, but the Wallabies pack could have done better.
The All Blacks didn't have everything their own way at the tackle, often conceding penalties in their attempt to stifle the Australians. But when they did turn possession over, a well-placed kick or incisive counter-attack earned them great territory.
The game was not without its frustrations for the Wallabies, desperate to come back from their 49-28 hiding last week, as the All Blacks rode their luck with ruck infringements - twice they escaped with warnings but no yellow cards.
Although the Wallabies controlled possession for the first five minutes it was the All Blacks who scored first in a move which started when lock Tom Donnelly snapped up a turnover ball to charge 20 metres downfield.
When he was brought down on the 22m line by Kurtley Beale, the All Blacks quickly recycled and Mils Muliaina was sent over in the corner.
Dan Carter converted from the sideline and then went from hero to zero soon after the restart when he lost the ball in a tackle which resulted in David Pocock and Nathan Sharpe sending Beale on a 65m run to the line who outpaced Carter to score in a handy position for Giteau to convert.
Scores weren't levelled for long, though, with a defensive blunder from makeshift winger James O'Connor allowing All Blacks centre Conrad Smith an easy try in the thirteenth minute.
Instead of staying on his wing, O'Connor was caught in two minds as classy inside centre Ma'a Nonu exposed the youngster's inexperience with a lovely long pass to his partner in crime for a score in the corner.
Carter again nailed the sideline conversion to give New Zealand a 14-7 lead, before Giteau narrowed the gap to four points with a 20th-minute penalty goal after the All Blacks were caught offside.
The All Blacks went to the break enjoying a 17-10 advantage following a Carter penalty in the 33rd minute after Wallabies scrum-half Will Genia was pinged for not releasing.
There was definite change of mood by the All Blacks after half-time as the Wallabies mounted wave after wave of attacks. New Zealand put the brakes on their free-for-all running and turned more to their fly-half to kick them out of trouble as they withstood 30 minutes of pressure.
A Carter penalty produced the only points of the second half but the All Blacks were always in control as they wound down the clock. They may have to wait a few weeks to lift the trophy, but there's no doubt the title will be returning to New Zealand.
The Wallabies need to score bonus-point wins in their remaining three games and hope the All Blacks lose their remaining fixtures without consolation... highly unlikely.
Man of the match: Playing at home in Christchurch, Dan Carter showcased his extensive attacking arsenal: the darting runs, the chip-and-regathers, the probing punts, and the gap-manufacturing passes. To cap it all, he goaled every kick.
Moment of the match: Of all the tries scored, Mils Muliaina's effort wins our vote. In a word: brilliant.
Villain of the match: Tony Woodcock's clearance of Saia Faingaa from behind at the ruck was illegal and uncalled for. Playing in his 67th match for New Zealand, the All Blacks' most capped prop can count his lucky stars he didn't do his celebrating in the bin.
The scorers:
For New Zealand:
Tries: Muliaina, Smith
Cons: Carter 2
Pens: Carter 2
For Australia:
Try: Beale
Con: Giteau
Pen: Giteau
New Zealand: 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Jo Rokocoko, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 Piri Weepu, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (c), 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Tom Donnelly, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Corey Flynn, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Sam Whitelock, 19 Victor Vito, 20 Alby Mathewson, 21 Aaron Cruden, 22 Benson Stanley
Australia: 15 Kurtley Beale, 14 James O'Connor, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Anthony Faingaa, 11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Matt Giteau, 9 Will Genia, 8 Richard Brown, 7 David Pocock, 6 Rocky Elsom (capt), 5 Nathan Sharpe, 4 Dean Mumm, 3 Salesi Ma'afu, 2 Saia Faingaa, 1 Benn Robinson.
Replacements: 16 Stephen Moore, 17 James Slipper, 18 Rob Simmons, 19 Matt Hodgson, 20 Luke Burgess, 21 Berrick Barnes, 22 Cameron Shepherd.
Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (SA)
By Dave Morris
Comments
kkovak says...
in my day Saia Faingaa would not have walked of the field as with most aussies he was offside ( hey fox rednecks take note ) and he got less then he deserved
Posted 15:31 14th August 2010
kkovak says...
jesus aussie just dont get it !! they were beaten by a better side and still the ***** brigade look to blame some one else they must be all lawyers from the other ***** brigade USA !!!! ! starting @ $100m and representing the nanny people !! Deans sacked and Giteau made coach and aussie rugby continues its ever continual spiral downwards
Posted 15:26 14th August 2010
The_Blackness says...
Hey Trinats- Imagine roles reversed? We are currently missing Andrew Hore- KM is the back up! We are also missing Ali Williams, Sivivatu, Kahui, Toeava, Dagg (concussion), Eaton, Donald... all regular starters or 22 in previous years. As for Owen Franks- there are probably 5 props very capable including Afoa who hasn't really been used yet this season- the result would have been the same!
It will be interesting to see if Wycliff Palu can manage more than 30 minutes in the faster game this year!
so stop your what-iffing and move on...btw- all this crying about the schedule helping the All Blacks this year is a joke- didn't hear any complaints when NZ did it tough last year...just heard about the losses...funny that...
Posted 06:07 10th August 2010
Andria says...
I meant that playing that amount of time in the opposition half should have been exploited.
Once you see that at the 11th phase, as tired as you are, you still can't find a hole, no matter how your backs are good, get the 3 points.
When the result was stuck at 17-10 this drop-goal option was not considered by Australia.
Posted 16:26 09th August 2010
Trinats says...
Andria, what is this "drop goal" you speak of ?
Posted 13:58 09th August 2010
Trinats says...
Congratulations NZ, a good game and deserved to win (should have won by more), a bit different having to play against 15 though. And congrats to Kaplan for letting the game flow (although he still doesn't understand the rules too well, as in how mnay official warnings did he give ??? NZ are getting too many, it's as if the refs will be punished by Paddy O Brian) and So what if woodcock wasn't sent to the sinbin, some calls go your way and others don't, it's rugby move on. But it was a cowardly thing to do, was he cited for it ?
OK, so Sydney we will win by 15+ !!! We competed well considering we were missing Cooperman (may have been different if he could of broken the kiwi defence with his magic, and Gits back at 12 - Faingaa not rushing up in defensive line - leaving O Conor to track two attackers (both trys scored))
Lets put it into perspective, Australia missing 7 first choice selections and only lost by 10 in NZ. Imagine rolls reversed and Australia with a full squad and NZ missing 7 (positions aus are down) Keven Mealamu, Owen Franks, Brad Thorn, Kieran Read, Daniel Carter, Cory Jane, Conrad Smith and factor in positional changes and NZ wouldn't have a hope in Sydney, then again we fly from SA after two test and straight into another, that will test the youngsters .
Posted 13:09 09th August 2010
Andria says...
If only the OZs can kick a drop goal...
Posted 11:00 09th August 2010
Spoons says...
Greta to see the ABs adopt different tactics for this game, it shows they have a plan B because I'm sure they will have to bring a few plans to the RWC next year if things aren't going their way. We all remember the 1/4 final in 2007, a plan B would of obviously been handy against the French. The Wallabies were caught by suprise in the opening 20 mins, hence 2 well constructed tries.
Don't get me wrong I think Pocock is a good player and will develop into a great one but I think he is getting too much pressure put on him from the media. He played a good game on Saturday but he did make quite a few errors and in my opinion he was again outplayed by McCaw. He is a big lad for a 22 year old, that size may slow him down a bit when he gets a bit older, I guess time will tell.
Don't get me started on the Aussie commentators, if only they could appreciate good rugby from both teams and not only Australia. I'm talking about Phil Kearns and Greg Martin particularly.
I know the ABs wont be satisfied until they win in SA again.
Posted 04:15 09th August 2010
runnrugby says...
Yea the scrums started off bad but when the players got used to the calls it worked out fine. Kaplan making sure they hit at the same time showed that ABs had superior power at scrum time. Isnt it funny that there was a long pause before Kaplan actually said the word 'pause'.
Crouch...touch................................PAAAAUUUUUUUUSE.........ENGAGE.
Posted 01:13 09th August 2010
pjhanz says...
Nothing worse than having to listen to aussie commentators...ex-players...esp phil kearns(I think he suffers from mental fatigue of watching the AB's beating the Wallabies the past few years)...I think both sides were scared of getting a yellow card...good to see a 15-a-side game again and the AB's defence...Awesome.
Posted 10:48 08th August 2010
bobisssss says...
Check out the TriNations points table. Brings a smile to this Kiwis face.
Posted 07:25 08th August 2010
speights56 says...
Hahaha,my biggest laugh over this is being able to smear the proverbial in the aussie commentators face from the last 2 tests.Kearns and co are the worst rugby commentators that has ever been chucked at us by so called paid for tv,you know what i mean!!!.The sooner we get rid of these trash calling bigots the better!!!.I have never known a aussie captain or coach to give credit where credit is due,instead they come up with some pathetic excuse as to why their performance was,INADEQUATE!!.No doubt after losing these last TWO!! matches against us,they will,think that they were ROBBED!,grow a arm and a leg you pathetic losers and MAN UP!!,you were completely outplayed and deserved to lose.
Posted 03:57 08th August 2010
safehands says...
Good defensive effort from the AB's.........Wallabies looked good for periods, but methinks that both teams may struggle in the Republic!?!
C'mon the AB's!!!!! One more point and we have have our title back!!
Posted 03:42 08th August 2010
SBWAllBlack says...
It was an excellent test match. It's good to see the ABs grind this one out, they had very good D (both teams defended really well in the 2nd half). I thought the ABs attack was a bit rushed in the second half, possibly trying a bit too hard, using low percentage options. The first 15 minutes was played at a hectic pace! Oz will be up there I reckon come the RWC. Well played both teams.
Posted 03:02 08th August 2010
KiwiLad says...
Can not help but feel that Mr Woodcock was bloody lucky not to spend some time in the Bin. David Pocock seems to push the boundaries at the breakdown as much as or more as Richie McCaw ever did, I wonder how long it will take people to start pointing the finger at him? Or if you are in a team that looses as many as you win is it ok?
Posted 00:12 08th August 2010
cannonball01 says...
good game to watch could have gone any way''but great dee from both sides. aussies looked very good ''patchy areas of attack ''but strong otherwise. boks have got there work cut out ''both these teams playing very well. I still play rugby ''if in woodcocks boots I would clean out the rubbish aswell'' and that is rugby you wanna cheat there consequences more then a penalty ''I would expect the same treatment in reversed roles
Posted 23:55 07th August 2010
kpe12 says...
dot dot dot, Ian Smith and Grant Fox are the worst commentators, Smith doesn't have a clue about rugby, he played cricket ...
As for the game, 2 glaringly obvious points. Australia have got the retention skills to keep going and going without turning the ball over, whereas the ABs don't so much. Why is this? It's cause the Aussies are going across the field and there is always support there, they don't go to ground as quickly and Pocock plays out of his skin. The ABs however go forward with the ball, get further into the Oz line and hence more isolated and go to ground quickly for quick recycling, this allows again for Pocock to steal all day long. It will not be long until the Aussies start finding a better balance with their attack and recycling and they will be a huge threat. Let's hope that isn't for another 2 years.
Also Conner looks out of his depth at international level, his defense and rugby IQ is poor at best, the first try he came off his wing when there was 5 people coming in cover defense and there were numerous times he charged up out of the line, something the ABs don't do, it creates gaps and the ABs punished them.
It will be interesting to see how QC makes a difference next game cause Giteau is looking small and didn't/couldn't spark a thing.
Posted 23:50 07th August 2010
Kiwi_Ruck says...
As a Kiwi fan my only complaint about the referee is Kaplan's scrum engagement call, he reminded me of the "Not" joke in Borat with his long drawn out "PAAAUUUSE" call. How the hell are the front rows supposed to time the engagement on that?
Other than that great game, much improved performance from the Wallabies. I agree that Woodcock should have been carded for his brainless charge on Vaiinga.
Posted 21:42 07th August 2010
mashona says...
Well a great competition - unfortunately due to stupid scheduling it's all but over without one match in Africa - makes it a bit of a damp squid for supporters
Posted 19:57 07th August 2010
bigb69 says...
Well both teams kept 15 players on the park, and the ABs still won.
Also I don't remember any official warnings. The only player whom may have been binned was Woodcock. It seems though no one wants a yellow card now unless it is an All Black. Penalty count was 11-8 in favour of the Wallabies which is probably not surprising given large amount of possession they had. It is not a high penalty count. Kaplan seemed to have listened to the hype and was very lax on the Wallabies the first half, they seemed to knock on a forward pass several times and get away with it, before evening up in the 2nd, Pocock clearly behind the All Black offside line let alone own in the last minutes. NZ never really looked like losing, although being close they had a chance. BTW we are up to 27 tries in the now TRY-Nations, the same as for all 9 games last year. In fact that was reached by half time. So the try scoring rate has doubled. That was the 78th game in a row the New Zealand scored a try in a test.
As some one said the ABs were weak in attack, and they were especially second half hardly any penetration, it seemed like a bit of training run. NZ definitely and obviously changed their game plan and did not counter attack, but kicked a lot more often, it was like practising for the World Cup when the interpreation of the rules are bound to change, as they do at every World Cup.
Posted 19:26 07th August 2010