Dan Carter: 17 points for NZ
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New Zealand eased to a comfortable 22-0 win over Australia in Auckland on Saturday, which sees the hosts retain the Bledisloe Cup.
The All Blacks once again underlined their status as world champions by keeping their trans-Tasman rivals scoreless for the first time since 1962.
Last week's victory was built largely on a dominant first-half performance, this time the home side came out firing after the break after leading 9-0 at half-time.
Once again the All Blacks dominated their Australian counterparts in general play, which saw them thrive with ball in hand. But despite this ascendancy, the hosts failed to convert pressure into more than one five-pointer being scored due to a couple of knock-ons at key moments.
As a result, Dan Carter kept the scoreboard ticking over thanks to another 17-point haul from the talismatic All Blacks pivot who punished mistakes made by the ill-discliplined Wallabies as the hosts came at them.
The Wallabies enjoyed a good start to the match, and looked a far better unit than the one on display in Sydney as they kept New Zealand scoreless for 25 minutes. But a yellow card shown to stand-in skipper Will Genia 10 minutes before the break arguably was the start of Australia's downfall, as the All Blacks kicked into gear and gained control of the match.
Robbie Deans' record against the All Blacks now reads three wins from 17 fixtures. And with yet another Bledisloe out of reach and their points-less Rugby Championship campaign on life support, the pressure on the Wallabies' coach is sure to intensify.
New Zealand had the best chances to score during the opening exchanges, with only a superb cover tackle from Adam Ashley-Cooper denying Israel Dagg, while Liam Messam was held up over the line thanks to some superb work from lock Sitaleki Timani.
After missing an early first penalty attempt, Carter finally moved the All Blacks into the lead after 25 minutes and added his second three-pointer from the resulting penalty when Genia was given his marching orders.
The visitors, though, did well to restrict the All Blacks - who now had a one-man advantage - to only one more Carter penalty before the interval as Berrick Barnes took over scrum-half duties.
With the game still anyone's for the taking at half-time, Carter landed his fourth successful kick of the match with a monster 51m effort two minutes into the second half.
And the game was effectively put out of sight soon as New Zealand went through the phases before quick ball from Aaron Smith found a superb running line of Dagg for the full-back to score his second try in as many weeks.
Carter converted and then added another penalty to move New Zealand 22-0 in front.
Australia finally had their best spell and they thought they had found a way through but a desperate tackle from Kieran Read denied Barnes. From there the All Blacks reassumed their dominance, with replacement Ben Smith and Dagg both having good breaks - while Read lost the ball reaching for the line.
The hosts coughed up another couple of chances when Richie McCaw dropped the ball trying to spin over after Hosea Gear had been held up, while Carter passed to no one when it looked easier to score.
But at that stage of the game, it really didn't matter as the one-sided result kept the Kiwis unbeaten after two matches in the Rugby Championship whilst the Bledisloe Cup stays in New Zealand for the 10th consecutive season.
Man of the match: Dan Carter once again played a starring role with the boot whilst Sonny Bill Williams played a key role on attack. But we're going to give this to Kieran Read - the number eight had a quiet first forty, but was sublime on attack, defence and everything else in between after the break.
Moment of the match: 13 points in the opening eight minutes of the second half saw New Zealand take the game by the scruff of the neck, and the Kiwis didn't look back.
Villain of the match: Oh, Will Genia... so gracious in defeat after the match, but forced to hang his head in shame for the brain implosion suffered during it.
The scorers:
For New Zealand:
Try: Dagg
Con: Carter
Pen: Carter 5
Yellow card: Genia, 29th min (Australia, professional foul)
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 (c), 6 Liam Messam, 5 Samuel Whitelock, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Replacements: 16 Andrew Hore, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Brodie Retallick, 19 Victor Vito, 20 Piri Weepu, 21 Aaron Cruden, 22 Ben Smith.
Australia: 15 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 14 Drew Mitchell, 13 Rob Horne, 12 Berrick Barnes, 11 Digby Ioane, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia (c), 8 Scott Higginbotham, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Dave Dennis, 5 Nathan Sharpe, 4 Sitaleki Timani, 3 Ben Alexander, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Benn Robinson.
Replacements: 16 Saia Fainga'a, 17 James Slipper, 18 Radike Samo, 19 Liam Gill, 20 Nick Phipps, 21 Anthony Fainga'a, 22 Kurtley Beale.
Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
Comments
shano303 says...
Ha! Where are the haters now? Carp-on and trinats-(was-the-last-thing-we-won)??
Schooled! Yellow card was justified after numerous infractions. He knew what he was doing! Ummm, a couple calls went the AB's way but on the whole good game from the ref!
On a serious note however (and even as a kiwi), I am sad to say that Deans has to go. The Aussies looked rudderless. Why kick the ball away? There does seem a need for the Aus players not to go into contact. Are they worried the support won't be there? It seems to me as though while Pocock is a great pilferer (the best?) the role of the perfect no.7 has again evolved - the back three could all be wearing the same number now as their roles are no longer defined by the number on their back. Counter-rucking in defense really needs to considered as an alternative to the pilfer as offensive teams have the numbers going forward. Is Aussie rugby aware of this? Is Deans aware of this?
It was sad to see that Quade was really a non-entity as he has so much promise. I think that us kiwis are only really annoyed as long as his arrogance gets the better of him. We like it when people are approachable and humble - maybe the Aussie acceptance of personality over substance suits him. Personally, I'd rather win rugby games.
Posted 12:11 25th August 2012
TheMascot says...
Im with cantyboy seriously I dont think i have seen such whinging from a commentary team before. Sure there was some dud calls but I think that goes both ways. They harp on about Ritchie McCaw infringements for about 20 minutes of the game it seriously gets old.
Posted 12:11 25th August 2012
Ferdie says...
my coverage cut off after final whistle.
Anyone care to report on after-match comments from captains and coaches?
Was there any 'full credit to the other side' and was it 'a game of two halves' - or something better than that?. thanks
Posted 12:08 25th August 2012
bloemboy says...
Wax lyrical now but I dont think the AB's were as awesome as everyone thinks. The difference in quality between the sides made the AB's look epic, but that just means the Wobblies were dire. On this showing, Los Pumas will secure 3rd place and one can see why they are targeting the Aussies as the weak link.
Dagg, Smith SBW and Reid are looking very good, though I would like to see this side when there is closer to parity in the tight. The AB's wont have it so easy against the likes of Bekker, Etzbeth and Beast, Nor against Roncero & co.
With respect to the Argies, they will do well to stay within 20 points of the AB's though the Boks will put up a better fight and I believe that the 2 sides are very close (aside from Dagg v Kirchner and the many loosies that SA are missing through injury which probably tilts it in the AB's favour)
Posted 12:06 25th August 2012
Waz4before says...
Hate to say it but it's time to look at Deans position; after last week a much better performance than this was needed. Kiwis did very well but Oz lacked direction and the numerous cut-away shots to Deans in his glass box seemed to suggest he didn't know what direction to follow either ....
Posted 12:05 25th August 2012
Ferdie says...
have to give some credit to improved oz defence at times - but then look at the lead up to dagg's try and so many missed tackles.
gatland at game flies out tomorrow, suggest he'll still be grinning on arrival though may have been perplexed at figuring out the oz game plan and strategy. Answers on the back of a postcard please
already seen on another forum oz fans 'ha ha abs can't score tries'. well think everyone esp team well aware of that issue too many lost opps. think i'm right that oz have crossed the tryline just six times from six tests in 2012. nz on 18 from five. whatever, a win, and the nilling aspect something to remember if theres ever a rugby section in trivial pursuit
Posted 11:57 25th August 2012
abfixit says...
A dominant game by the ABs especially after halftime. Still too loose and need to tighten up the attacke as some passes were ill-timed. Aaron Smith has upped the stakes and is starting to attack more. Aust not up to the level as they need more game time. Likewise for QC - Deans was right that QC did not have enough game time. He looked out of it. As usual McCaw led by example. He collected a few penalties but still led.
Posted 11:56 25th August 2012
three6three6 says...
This was a good match... high intensity with plenty of pressure from the All Blacks. The All Blacks could have scored at least another three tries, so again the scoreboard flattered the Wallabies!
Quade who? He must have been playing..... because the crowd was booing him each time he touched the ball! Gratuitiously, boorish behaviour from the crowd!
What do the Wallabies do next? Back to beating the Bokke and the Pumas.
Posted 11:51 25th August 2012
SoftPom says...
Australia spurned the 3 points that were offered in the second half, but NZ butchered at least 3 convertible tries... which is worse: 22-0 or 43-3?
Posted 11:35 25th August 2012
startledwombat says...
It's a cruel game where Australia looked better than last week but lost by a bigger margin.
Four, maybe five tries left on the paddock by the All Blacks. Scary.
The Wallabies attack seems to have two patterns. One is to drive it up from the ruck or maul using 3 or 4 forwards bunched nearby. The other is to spin it to a point halfway between the ruck and the sideline, bust up through that channel, and then go wide to the sideline.
Unfortunately the All Black pack, halfback and first five are all tough enough to handle the 3-forward thrust.
As for the 'let's go slightly wider and break through the defence" it is a big ask, because the names there are Nonu, Sonny Bill, Conrad Smith... What these guys have in common is a love of ferocious tackling.
I picked ABs by 20 and am now in a friend's bad books.
I'd fire Deans only after seeing how both Australia and the All Blacks handle South Africa. There's 50-point wins in this ABs side, once the big old chevy gets smoothly into top gear.
Posted 11:32 25th August 2012
hobo says...
bye bye deans
Posted 11:30 25th August 2012
rugby_lord says...
Epic waste of time again. Wallabies are useless. It is yet to see how much better the Pumas and the BOKS will be.
Posted 11:20 25th August 2012
whizz52 says...
Ahhhh... sweet. Go you good things! Now let all the haters say what they like ..I am happy with another ABs victory.
Posted 11:12 25th August 2012
The_Claw says...
Unbelievably dire performance by the Wallabies. After the match, the Australian commentators were trying to comfort themselves with the idea that "nobody could have beaten the All Blacks" the way they played. Uh, they turned in another mistake-riddled performance. Dropped balls, too many penalties, heaps of lost lineouts, hail Mary passes to nobody .. five near tries that didn't quite come off. No, this was no more than a passing grade for the All Blacks in attack. It's just that it was against the worst Wallabies performance I've seen in a decade.
Posted 11:09 25th August 2012
passtheball says...
Aus were worth their zero. Kicked too much and had little clue as to how to break down the AB defense. The Aus defense was tireless but the AB's looked liked like they would break out at anytime. SBW has really advanced his rugby game and was my MOM. Carter would be fine at 12 against SA or Argentina.
NH ref had a good game. Still not a great game for No 1 and 2 in the world rankings.
Posted 11:08 25th August 2012
mynameisprem90 says...
saw the game. aussies just not up to it in the upstairs department. give it up & stick to the braindead league code..
Posted 11:06 25th August 2012
mynameisprem90 says...
aussies were shite. just stick to that stupid league mate. you have no idea how to play this game now..
Posted 11:03 25th August 2012
kitch says...
quade who??..what a mesmorising dominant display from the world champs!! Even though aus were looking good with their pick and go at the start, the ABs never really looked in trouble... aus always seem to start with a bang but they cant seem to sustain the intensity like the ABs can.
Reid had an awesome game , sbw had a solid game too as did most players.. but the player of the game for me was Aaron Smith... im really enjoying watching the backs get some quick fast ball for a change and its good to see him developing a running game too.. great win even though our finishing was a tad messy!
Posted 11:00 25th August 2012
drunkboy says...
dominate performance from the AB's - what was the game plan from auz??? they lacked anything on attack, smashed at the tackle, in fact smashed all over the park. While the AB's scored 22 points, their defence was worth another 22.
I just think at the end of the day outclassed, auz time will come but it will be a couple of years off. looking at current stocks. - now looking forward to AB's vs Auz
Posted 10:46 25th August 2012
melkdave says...
Well a even more dominent ABs performance than last week,but they wont be happy left tries begging again.R.Deans gamble on Q.Cooper didnt work his obviously not back to his best,and the wallaby attack was totally nullified .Posatives where slim for the wallabies though the scrum was better,and the scramble defence was better..
Posted 10:41 25th August 2012