Number one: All Blacks set the pace at Eden Park
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The All Blacks shut out the Wallabies in a first-half blitz to win their opening Bledisloe Cup encounter 30-14 at Eden Park on Saturday.
Any hopes Australia had of ending their 25-year Auckland drought were ripped to pieces by their dominant hosts, who charged to a 17-0 lead at the break and never looked like losing.
Due to a shortened version of the Tri-Nations (because of the World Cup), New Zealand's three-tries-to-two victory also sees them secure the Bledisloe Cup for another year.
It was a clinical display all round by the rampant All Blacks, who are now in pole position to claim yet another Tri-Nations title.
The Wallabies started and ended the match with plenty of promise, but it was the space in between that saw Robbie Deans' men capitulate to some ferocious defence from the home side.
The All Blacks knocked the stuffing out of their trans-Tasman rivals, often reversing the Wallabies' key strike runners and kept playmaker Quade Cooper quiet all night - New Zealand's steady pressure and suffocating defence denied the Aussie pivot the chance to regularly set his backline in motion.
Australia's cause was further undermined by poor goal-kicking, with James O'Connor' missing three successive penalties. But the same couldn't be said of Dan Carter, who was immaculate with the boot as the Wallabies were put to the sword.
Digby Ioane and Rocky Elsom did get on the board for the Wallabies in the second period, however they mere consolation tries and Australia never looked like threatening New Zealand's 23-match unbeaten streak at the Auckland venue.
The opening passage was played at a fast and furious pace, with both sides going at each other hammer and tongs. However, All Blacks centre Conrad Smith then affected a turnover in midfield which led to the opening score of the match.
Instrumental scrum-half Piri Weepu raced down the touchline, before linking with wing Sitiveni Sivivatu who got the attacking team close to the line. Flanker Jerome Kaino kept the ball alive and it was centre Ma'a Nonu who picked up the ball to drive through the legs to score.
Weepu's excellent work in keeping the ball in play was crucial in the All Blacks next try as loose forwards Kieran Read and Richie McCaw powered their way towards Australia's tryline. Held inches short, hooker Keven Mealamu got low and had the strength to place the pigskin on the chalk dust for the try.
The home side took a seventeen-point lead into the break, and Carter extended the All Blacks lead just after the restart with a drop-goal which was only the third of his 82-Test career.
The Wallabies gave a vivid reminder of their threat from broken field when they turned over possession in their 22m and shifted the ball to Digby Ioane, who stood up full-back Mils Muliaina en route to goal.
With O'Connor relieved of the kicking duties, Cooper landed a touchline conversion which would have galavanised his side.
However, it would be shortlived as the All Blacks struck back with their third try straight from the restart after Australia failed to control the ball.
Read put the pressure on the Wallaby jumpers, and the ball - which seemed to have been knocked on by the number eight - bounced and landed in Conrad Smith's hands. The centre set off down the sideline before passing inside to Sivivatu, who couldn't believe his luck.
Carter's conversion took New Zealand out to a 27-7 lead, which was soon stretched with another penalty goal before captain Elsom claimed a late consolation try for his beaten team.
Man of the match:Take a bow Piri Weepu. The nuggety number nine, who started a Test for the first time this season, did his World Cup chances little harm by making an emphatic statement to the All Blacks' selectors. He cleared possession quickly and with accuracy from breakdowns, creating the initial space that was exploited by Carter and Nonu in midfield.
Moment of the match: The 50th and 52nd minutes of the match. Just when you thought the Wallabies were launching a late comeback with Ioane's try (50th minute), the All Blacks put them back in their place with Sivivatu's reply (52nd minute).
Villain of the match: n/a
The scorers:
For New Zealand:
Tries: Nonu, Mealamu, Sivivatu
Cons: Carter 3
Pens: Carter 2
Drop: Carter
For Australia:
Tries: Ioane, Elsom
Cons: Cooper 2
New Zealand: 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Hosea Gear, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 Piri Weepu, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (c), 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Ali Williams, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Replacements: 16 Andrew Hore, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Samuel Whitelock, 19 Adam Thomson, 20 Andy Ellis, 21 Colin Slade, 22 Sonny Bill Williams.
Australia: 15 Kurtley Beale, 14 James O'Connor, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Pat McCabe, 11 Digby Ioane, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia, 8 Ben McCalman, 7 David Pocock, 6 Rocky Elsom (c), 5 James Horwill, 4 Rob Simmons, 3 Ben Alexander, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Sekope Kepu.
Replacements: 16 Saia Fainga'a, 17 Pek Cowan, 18 Dan Vickerman, 19 Scott Higginbotham, 20 Luke Burgess, 21 Anthony Fainga'a, 22 Lachie Turner.
Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)
By Dave Morris
Comments
7ton says...
Aweblax
Yes games in SA do usually draw more crowds than NZ but watching SA play Aus today in SA I noticed quite a few empty seats.
I trust bigspottedcat will be equally outraged
Posted 18:56 13th August 2011
aweblax says...
SORRY fellow Kiwis but I actually agree with bigspottedcats comment on our poor crowds, maybe we're a little complacent about the AllBlacks and take them for granted. I have always been in awe of the rugby crowds South Africa pullls in whether it be International or Super Rugby, and would love to see that at home.
Posted 11:13 11th August 2011
dylster says...
@ Trinats
Yeah its true Ive peaked a bit early, all down hill from here...but the ABs are on the up! haha
@ Carpelone - good call mate, I would like to think the ABs respect their opponents especially the French and SA - they to me are the biggest threats. Good luck for this weekend, and hope you have medium luck in the WC!
Posted 09:11 09th August 2011
Carpelone says...
@ dylster
You should not be worried mate. We have not spoken much about it, but I think that the AB's management team is outstanding, in addition they had the experience of 2007, which they will want to rectify.
Your only problem could be to be over-confident (like the posts of some your fellow countrymen), but I honestly dont see any weak points, should the boys be injury free.
Posted 13:28 08th August 2011
Carpelone says...
@ Ramage
I agree with you. The first half was of high standard, and I think you hit the nail on the head when you suggest that many mistakes in the second half could be due by an insufficient fitness level. This was exactly my impression when I saw the game again. Anyway, I never suggested that Joubert influenced the final result.
I am concerned of keeping the blokes on their feet first, since otherwise we will keep seeing cheap shots like the one an Austalian gave to Kaino in the first half (I suspect as a retaliation for some other infringements elsewhere).
I see that we agreed on the fact that any reviews and assessment of a ref should be kept inside their offices.
Thanks for this discussion, I hope more to come n future.
Posted 13:24 08th August 2011
Ramage says...
@carpelone I would not go so far as to say Joubert had a flawless first half and there were a number of issues that I can argue with, but I wont bore people with some in my opinion that Australia benifitted from. The difference is that I dont see these mistakes as favouring the Australians. All referees make mistakes in a game and as I said in my post in response to your invitation to discuss refereeing I am concerened with the way the Laws are written and have to be interpreted and the pressure referees are put under due to the pace the game is played at today. The pace of the first half would have to be one of the fastest I have seen in my years of watching rugby. Yes we all get concerned with referees and their decisions and at times we criticise because they affect the team we support and often we are wrong. Joubert does not go out there to favour NZ and to say so is an insult to a fine referee's character. He is however human and will make mistakes. I wonder how many other referees could keep up with the pace of that game and continue to be alert enough to make the correct decisions all the time. Finally yes some people could agree with you over O'Brien's comments on Dickinson and I fully understand where you are coming from. However, many others have for years asked that referees who continue to make wrong calls in law should be stood down from games as they do in League. In fact in my refereeing days I was one who felt that as players were stood down coaches were sacked referees who made a series of bad calls in law should also have to suffer some consequences. However not from the shouts of the public. When team reports criticise referee performance and this is backed up by the assessors reports there should be some consequences for that referee. Whether that be in public is a moot point. I hope you will comment on my reply to the discussion about refereeing.
Posted 12:56 08th August 2011
APV1 says...
What a match the Kiwis had! The Aussies truned up with passion and some great rugby, but they looked like tier below, compared to NZ.
And if we play like we did against Wales when we meet NZ in the RWC final, we'll get hammered too! ;-)
Tongue out of cheek for a moment, NZ showed why they are the #1 ranked team in the world. England need to use the next Wales match and the one against the Pumas to make some decisions, before we fly out. I didn't see anything from the Aussies to worry me unduly (I'm not suggesting they're not good, just that I think we'd match them in most areas and the weakness of tackling at 10 will give us a gaping hole to put Tuilagi through at speed).
I'm looking forward to seeing the 3N matches in SA now, to see what a full-strength Bok team can do to the NZ-ers. I suspect that Aus will not fare well, but time will tell.
Some great debates north and south in the 3N and warm-up matches. I haven't seen the Ireland : Scotland match yet, but am looking forward to that too.
Cor blimey, guv'na! How exciting, eh chaps!?
Posted 11:08 08th August 2011
StunTheMullet says...
@ Carpelone - Joubert also continued this years S15 favourite of missing at least 4 Convict forward passes (something Alain Rolland got right the week before) and the Convict number 4 hanging on to Weepu by the leg off the ruck giving Genia the hole to run into to start the movement to dancing Digbys try (should have been penalty).
As for the Italy game, too right Dickenson deserved a serve - the overhead shots showed the Italian prop boring in again and again and again while Stu treated us to 10 minutes of scrum resets to indulge the Italians pissing competition.
Plus after Stu's S15 clangers like his biased performance for Crusaders vs Reds its no wonder he's not going to the RWC.
Just a shame HRH Paddy never gave good old Wayne a bit of public accountability though we'll see if he's learned his lessons in Bribbo in a few weeks time.
Posted 10:31 08th August 2011
Carpelone says...
Ramage
I do not respect Paddy O'Brien anymore since his public outing to reprimend Stu Dickinson for his refeereing of Italy-New Zealand (apart that he missed the point, i.e. awarding a penalty try against the ABs). No boss can do that.
Posted 08:54 08th August 2011
Carpelone says...
@ Ramage
I saw the match again. Joubert's performance in the first half was flawless, at the beginning of the second half he had three consecutive calls in favour of New Zealand, all of them 50/50 (two against Pocock). No really big damage then, even though this could have helped Oz to claw their way back. Nobody pointed out here, but the turnover originating Ioane's try was questionable (not sure it it was the Oz's tackler to fetch the ball for Genia).
What really was not good in Joubert's ref was the breakdown, with players always not standing on their feet and always not rolling away I think that the game needs clarity in these areas because otherwise it is another sport.
Posted 08:46 08th August 2011
Boltsy says...
@ Sandal agree with your comments on the Bledisloe encounter, Cooper has been exposed for what he really is 1 dimentional as for that reverse flick pass brought back memories of a former wallaby prone to pulling out the goose step on many an occaision. Campese flicking a pass to his fullback in goal only for the Lions winger to score the try. The Wallabies may have contested better had they gone into the game with a number 10 thats not afraid to tackle or be tackled.
P.S Good to see your hurricanes performing back to their best,Piri had a blinder but for me man of the match Carter, showing good signs of Wellington 2005, 2nd test against lions the way he is controlling the opposition.
Posted 04:26 08th August 2011
StunTheMullet says...
Maybe Stag has got the pip because his team were, all together now, "Deflowered by Scooot-land"....
Posted 04:04 08th August 2011
dylster says...
@ carpelone
yeah Im happy! now, is it just a coincidence do we seem to be playing really good rugby at the moment?! Must be a world cup year - hahahhaaha!
....weird sensation in my throat...cant breathe...spluttering noises....
Posted 23:58 07th August 2011
7ton says...
Justice 4 all
Thanks but there is no need to apologize as all countries have their share of Misfortunate individuals with a big chip on their shoulder.
Nothing wrong with a bit of banter between fans but some posts just go way beyond.
In regards to the actual l game IMO the game perhaps was a lot closer than the score suggested and Australia looked very dangerous at times and I would certainly still rate them as having a good chance in the WC
Cheers
Posted 19:36 07th August 2011
Ramage says...
@ Stag your jaundiced and bitter views about NZers are a disgrace thank God I have met too many Irishmen and Women to let me also make over the top attacks on your countrymen. I know we all have these idiots in every country and every bitter sad prejudiced post you make Stag shows what a sad life you must lead. Go get a real life and to any of the Irish reading this you will know that you will be given a warm welcome in NZ and wan.... like Stag will not let me think ill of the Irish. Ive enjoyed the company of too many to let the likes of Stag put me off the Irish.
Posted 18:17 07th August 2011
Ramage says...
@Sandal the Aussie commentators are poor Kearns and Martin moan all day and Kearns for a formmer International Player has a poor understanding of the Laws of the game. Martin is just a plain idiot and is often screaming about some alleged offence against the Australians only to be put in his place by Rod Kafer who I believe is the best of the team.Kafer is a very good analyst who thinks through the game is measured in his comments and comes across as very fair. Greg Clark keeps his comments more to what is happening in the game but Kearns and Martin are idiots I used to get fed up with Brian Moore when in the UK but Kearns moans all through the Commnetary and is very negative at times.and is worse than either Moore or Barnes from Sky in UK. Tim Horan an addition to the team also brings a level headed approach,
Posted 17:52 07th August 2011
Ramage says...
@Trinats have no trouble with Gold at all I just think the result on Saturday was pure gold.The dejected look,loss of words and shattered man was there for all to see.when Dingo Deans was interviewed following the game. Seems he too had been sucked in by the belief all they had to do was turn up and win. So to me it was a golden moment and now we will have to wait first to see if they have learned anything from this match and secondly whether they too can overcome their demons in the pool and semis in RWC. I dont believe everything in the rden is rosey as Ive seen too many upsets in sport . Lets look forward to phase two of the games in South Africa and see first if the OZ boys have recovered from their spanking in phase one and whether the New (Old) Boks will have any combinations in place on Saturday.
Posted 17:39 07th August 2011
stag says...
@justice, for one who was once the job creating saviour of the Irish economy while simultaneously criss crossing the globe as a Master of the Universe type family man and entrepeneur, surely your personal jibes are a touch low brow for a man of your elevated standing? And why are you such a kiwi stooge? They have more than enough unhinged, self-deluded and inward looking cranks to defend their status as God's own rugby country.
Posted 15:44 07th August 2011
carpelone says...
@ sandal
Good post and excellent assessment of the game. I think that the ABs had definitely an edge but not as big as the result suggested. The moment of the match was Sivi's try at that restart. Again, credit to both teams for a fantastic display. Let's see what we can bring to the party on Sat.
Posted 15:15 07th August 2011
sandal says...
Trinats, what was that Aussie commentary like? I do enjoy their ones on Super XV. At home in New Zealand, Murray Nisbett and Justin Marshall drive me to distraction. I spend much of the match with the local commentary off.
So what was the Aussie commentators/panellists' take on the match?
Posted 14:58 07th August 2011