Opening try: Israel Dagg
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New Zealand opened their Rugby Championship account with a 27-19 win over Australia at ANZ Stadium in Sydney on Saturday.
In a tale of two halves in an overall scrappy game, the All Blacks did enough in the opening forty minutes of the match to bag four competition points as they kicked off the inaugural championship with a hard-fought victory.
The world champions raced to a commanding lead after scoring 18 unanswered points which left the Wallabies with a mountain to climb.
However, the hosts clawed their way back after trailing 18-10 at half-time and continued to stay in touch with their trans-Tasman rivals who had to work a little harder in the second half before Dan Carter sealed the deal with his fifth penalty goal on full-time.
Carter's three-pointer after the siren also denied the Wallabies a losing bonus point, which could prove vital in the overall standings later down the line.
Australia drew first blood after Berrick Barnes opened the scoring with an early penalty with barely three minutes gone on the clock, before Carter leveled matters in the 10th minute.
Three minutes later the All Blacks struck from a scrum outside Australia's 22. Two decoy runners in midfield allowed Carter to feed full-back Israel Dagg who stepped out of a tackle and then beat Kurtley Beale on the outside to score the opening try. Carter added the tricky conversion and the All Blacks were smiling with a seven-point lead (3-10) after 14 minutes played.
Australia were found wanting again after New Zealand's relentless pressure and masterly forwards overwhelmed their hosts who coughed up another penalty that Carter dualy converted into three more points.
Whilst the visitors' attack was giving the Wallabies a throbbing headache, so too was the All Blacks defence as Robbie Deans' troops hammered at New Zealand's tryline in a bid to narrow the ever-increasing scoreline but to no avail.
A dropped pass by Scott Higginbotham with Australia hot on attack and then another by Beale didn't help matters for the Wallabies either - the moans and groans from the home crowd becoming a regular feature.
The well-oiled black machine continued to rumble forward and with the Australians' defence once again stretched, Cory Jane finished off superbly in the corner for the world champs' second try of the night - Beale once again exposed out wide.
Carter's conversion missed by inches, but his team-mates wouldn't have been too concerned with an 18-3 lead. However, the same couldn't be said of their hosts, who looked down and out with eight minutes of the first half still remaining.
Finally, Australia struck gold when Digby Ioane made the intitial inroads after the wing found a chink in the All Blacks' armour only to be tackled inches short of the line. Nathan Sharpe wasn't to be denied from close range though, and the soon-to-be retired lock powered over. Barnes converted and the hosts headed into the half-time sheds with some restored confidence.
The second half became a battle of the boots as Carter and Barnes exchanged penalties. But, even after drawing the second half 9-9, the Wallabies weren't able to bridge the gap.
The result also means Richie McCaw and his merry men have taken a giant stride towards holding onto the Bledisloe Cup which has been in their possession since 2003.
Man of the match: All Blacks flanker Liam Messam repaid his coaches' faith by carrying his impressive Super Rugby form to the Test arena, while halfback pair Aaron Smith and Dan Carter proved once again to be a lethal combination. But the player who stood head and shoulders above the rest was Israel Dagg. The star full-back caused havoc whenever he touched the ball, bagged a try for his efforts and set up another.
Moment of the match: You just can't keep a good Dagg down! With only centimetres to work with, Dagg's 13th-minute touchdown after skinning his opposite number on the outside takes the cake.
Villain of the match: Despite an improved second half from Australia, they were unable to atone for Kurtley Beale's critical blunders in what was an error-prone performance by the full-back who will carry some self-inflicted psychological damage to Eden Park after letting in both of New Zealand's tries.
The scorers:
For Australia:
Try: Sharpe
Con: Barnes
Pens: Barnes 4
For New Zealand:
Tries: Dagg, Jane
Con: Carter
Pens: Carter 5
Australia: 15 Kurtley Beale, 14 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 13 Rob Horne, 12 Anthony Fainga'a, 11 Digby Ioane, 10 Berrick Barnes, 9 Will Genia, 8 Scott Higginbotham, 7 David Pocock (capt), 6 Dave Dennis, 5 Nathan Sharpe, 4 Sitaleki Timani, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Tatafu Polota Nau, 1 Benn Robinson.
Replacements: 16 Stephen Moore, 17 James Slipper, 18 Rob Simmons, 19 Radike Samo, 20 Michael Hooper, 21 Nick Phipps, 22 Drew Mitchell.
New Zealand: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Ma'a Nonu, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Hosea Gear, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (capt), 6 Liam Messam, 5 Samuel Whitelock, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Andrew Hore, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Brodie Retallick, 19 Victor Vito, 20 Piri Weepu, 21 Aaron Cruden, 22 Ben Smith.
Referee: Alain Rolland (IRFU)
By Dave Morris
Comments
bk47 says...
@ Carpelone
You're more than welcome haha You can be the biggest Ab's suppprter in NZ but if you think McCaw doesn't "cheat" you are mad.
He wasn't as bad as he can be tonight but he still got penalised twice for very balant things. But this is his and every other openside flankers job. When I played rugby if my openside flanker wasn't testing the limits of the rules and the ref I would be very disappointed. Richie is just the best at it.
Also maybe because I am a Huricanes and Taranaki rugby fan I can see with both eyes and not have one eye constantly covered like some from red and black country (sorry cantab fans, but its my blood to despise you lol)
Posted 22:59 18th August 2012
StunTheMullet says...
Good to see Allain Rolland hasn't lost his feel for the game. The whistle was the winner on the day.
Posted 22:05 18th August 2012
ArmchairGeneral says...
Tough decisions for Hansen next game... Rumble it up in the forwards and win it with a bonus point, play a kicking game with line outs and win with a bonus point... Bash it up the centres and win with a bonus point or spread it wide for the bonus point win. I think he will give his centres some exercise and break Quade by targeting his channel before he gets his confidence back. One tough game left for them. Dull. Bring on the European game. Only games I want to see are Boks vs Oz.
Posted 22:01 18th August 2012
nzmaoriboy says...
Wasn't to pleased with Referee's performance! If the game had been allowed to get to the point of fluidity it had the potential to be awesome & hi-octane..as we definitely had the worlds 2 most exciting teams. however the Wallabies looked decidedly flat on a attack not their usual supple expansive selves...But I imagine first up test matches with EXPECTATION may have been the cause. AB's deserved the win,Its a give me that both teams will improve next week. (Positives)Aussie midfield defended excellently..Scrum was good for 70 mins..but again they needed to be a bit more territory orientated, keep NZ boxed in the corners better kick chases etc etc. NZ had far more scoring opportunities! which must be worrying for the Aussie defensive coach.
Keep it positive peep's & here's to a better game next week! (I got tickets)..AB's to keep bledisloe (I hope) he he.Cheers
Posted 20:57 18th August 2012
7ton says...
Carpelone
Love it.
I can just imagine your eyes lighting up at reading Bk47's remarks.
However while the Guy is no angel I have to say today he was just immense. He went on quite a few bullocking runs and probably put in more tackles than anyone else. Sorry but I think McCaw will be around for a few more years to torment you.
Tri-nats. A gentleman as usual (straight after the game.)
On the game both teams looked a bit rusty and made some blunders particulary Australia. The AB'S showed good finishing skills but did butcher a couple of chances
For me Rolland was way too pedantic against both sides but to be fair maybe he was instructed to be such but it really slowed the game down and does not make for attractive rugby
Posted 20:26 18th August 2012
kitch says...
dan73..youre right mccaw "is no sportsman".. hes a legend!!.. he is the only player to receive multiple irb player of the year awards...3...and then theres his 3 times making the final group of nominees.. not too shabby for someone whose "not a sportsman" and so disgusting!!
while on the suject of mccaw.. he seems to be able to psyche teams away from their focus in playing their game and last night was no exception.. in the absense of cooper, higgenbottom 3 times seemed to take it upon himself to try and unneccessarily rough mccaw up a bit, off the ball and while he had his back turned.. while it wasnt much the touchy had to stop higgenbottom on one occasion ..i dont get why such good players have to stoop to such niggle when their skill alone is enough to impact a game.
Posted 20:24 18th August 2012
hybrid187 says...
My favorite part was watching Carter kick a 3 pointer at full time to deny the Larrys a bonus point.
Posted 19:47 18th August 2012
Ramage says...
Whilst deans is probably on his way out, he was not on the field, it wasn't he who dropped the ball or missed tackles it was the players. Either they are too busy telling the press what they are going to do before the game that they forget to do it on the field. Some of those mistakes were really worse than schoolboy errors and this against a rusty All Black team who produced enough on the night to take out a win in the OZ back yard. So that must count eh Trinuts cos it wasnt at home and those are the most important wins arent they mate?
what can you say about Rolland? This Irishman was once a good referee, but the older he gets the more pedantic he becomes. Seems he too, is past his use by date. Some of his decisions were bizarre, none more so than the alleged crossing (obstruction) he conjured up out of nothing.
Anyway out of the first games it was interesting to note the lack of fluidity which no doubt will come as the teams play more together and form the partnerships. However two important factors emerged from the predictable results of the first round. The final penalty denying the Wallabies a losing bonus point and steadfast defence by the Pumas to deny the Springboks, or is it the Proteas now, a four try bonus point. These failures could turn out to be telling in the long run.
@ GeorgeSmith what a bleater you are your descriptions of the players are farcical you give Beale a point more that Sharpe lol. Oh dear you are a a joke. Hate to say what it would be like if you were out there on the field but that's never likely to happen is it.
Posted 19:05 18th August 2012
Fitzy says...
The fact is that everything the all blacks did they did at a faster pace and with more accuracy.The scoreline flattered the wallabies who have plenty of improving to do if they're going to beat the ab's in any of the three games.In the first half the wallabies skills were pathetic.Second half was a bit better.They looked very rusty.The good news is they have plenty of improvement in them but they don't have the cattle to win the bledisloe cup.They need to watch the ab's defensive line speed and organisation and match it if they are to beat the saffas.No shame in losing to the ab's who are the best team in the world with daylight second but some of the rugby they served up today wasn't worthy of the gold jersey
Posted 19:05 18th August 2012
Bones7 says...
SBW and Nonu in midfield were just used as dummy runners all game. They were so much bigger than their opposite numbers and not once did they get a chance to charge down the middle of the field!
Posted 18:02 18th August 2012
BillyMutt2 says...
Great start for NZ, and they'll be very hard to beat next week.
@fish the constant All Blacks bashing is getting old dude, it really sounds like you're becoming pretty desperate.
Posted 17:59 18th August 2012
pierredelot1 says...
Interesting to see that Rolland has been cheered from the rooftops for his pedantic style. Poite did the first game of the top 14 last night and was equally whistle happy, so there is obviously some new directive to follow which is screwing up the game more and more. About time they stopped tarting about and brought back rucking, this going over the ball is a waste of time and space and will continue to get worse as players get bigger taller and stronger. It's just unnatural to expect a guy of 6.3" to 6.7" to bend over the ball and pick it up with ease. Far too many ways to cause a collapse both legally and illegally. Trinats 2 obviously not out of bed yet, either that or he's having difficulty writing his lengthy tome. Generosity in defeat perhaps, I await with interest.
Aussies three weeks prep, Blacks one week prep and they win away, can't be a bad start.
Posted 16:21 18th August 2012
AllBlackJacko says...
Seriously now, this is now year 5 of the Deans era. We need him to stay on, he is fantastic from New Zealands outlook.
Posted 16:18 18th August 2012
Carpelone says...
Why All Blacks? Almost All Blacks.
Bk47. Thanks for admitting that, it is refreshing to note some objective Kiwi supporters.
I did not manage to see the game, however the results was as expected. 27 points are a bit too much to leak at home.
PS If QC was not on the bench, where was he?In somebody's apartment?? It is safe for everybody there to have him on the pitch. Just joking though
Posted 15:43 18th August 2012
Wallaroo says...
Well done NZ, a deserved win.
What the hell has happened to the Wallabies, the Wallabies of old would never had lost that game. This is sad, sad, sad. Deans needs to either pull up his socks or please excuse himself from all further participation in Wallaby training and selection.
Agree with most Alain Rolland is a pathetic referee. Under him stop start rugby takes on a whole new dimension.
Posted 15:19 18th August 2012
Trinats2 says...
Congrats NZ, from a very disappointed Wallaby supporter.
Posted 15:02 18th August 2012
rugby_lord says...
Man that was boring. There is no more structure in the game. And these are the best running rugby teams out there. And what was with all the penalties????
Posted 15:02 18th August 2012
makemehappy says...
@Theshaw - never seen him play a food or a good game!
Not sure why people are being critical of SBW. Played perfectly adequately today. Not great, but some created a try for Jane (to not score) and made some surging runs. Not the best performance out there though. Perhaps these people feel inadequate?
As I thought - Aussies struggled to beat Wales, so the result was never in doubt. Glad people agree that Rolland cost the AB's quite a few points and certainly needs to retire.
Posted 15:00 18th August 2012
UBA05 says...
Jeez......How awful was Beale??? Almost single handedly responsible for most of NZ points. I also love how the guys who were bashed by "rugby pundits" in the preview for being selected were actually the better aussie players on the day, sharpe,timani.......
Cooper in (and hope he doesnt choke in Auckland for the 2nd time in a row) to spark up the attack, Barnes out one, Faingaa out one, AAC to fullback, horne and beale dropped. Samo to no.8, higginbotham to 6, moore, slipper and alexander to start. But still the black tsunami to sink th aussie ship.
Now back to the pub, cmon argentina, time for the puma to hunt down and devour some bokke
Posted 14:40 18th August 2012
passtheball says...
Dagg had his best AB game while Messam has such potential all he needs is some praise instead of criticism - that's you Hansen! He would have scored two tries today with more confidence and not hearing "show pony" ringing in his ears. Read was average while Mealamu was my MOM.
Both sides were rusty and the ref would make a great parking meter attendant but he should stay in the NH where they like scrum resets and slow games.
Posted 14:38 18th August 2012