First-half blitz: Radike Samo scores for the Wallabies
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Australia have won the Tri-Nations after a ten-year wait thanks to a 25-20 win over New Zealand at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Saturday.
This is what Test rugby is all about!
The Wallabies outscored their visitors by three tries to two in what was a delicious hors d'oeuvre before the start of the Rugby World Cup.
A first-half blitz from the hosts saw Robbie Deans' troops send the shell-shocked All Blacks into the half-time sheds 17 points behind (20-3).
However, just like clockwork, New Zealand bounced back after the break to level the scores and set up a thrilling finish to a pulsating Tri-Nations decider.
But just as it seemed the visitors were going to seize the game by the scruff of the neck, a piece of brilliance by Australia's scrum-half Will Genia created the decisive try for Kurtley Beale.
It was a fast and furious start to the match that saw the Wallabies in fifth gear straight from the kick-off, only for the hosts to slam on the brakes after two mistimed passes from halfback partners Genia and Quade Cooper denied wing Digby Ioane ten points in the bank.
Instead, the hosts had to settle for a three-point lead following a straight-forward penalty from Cooper that put his team in front after four minutes played.
The Wallabies' lead was nearly stretched soon afterwards when centre Adam Ashley-Cooper weaved his way over the All Blacks' tryline, but was held up thanks to some sterling defensive work from scrum-half Piri Weepu and full-back Mils Muliaina.
The pace and physicallity of the game took its toll on the All Blacks' loose trio, who all required some attention before number eight Kieran Read called it a day and limped off the pitch as Adam Thomson recieved some heavy strapping to his left elbow.
The Wallabies then rubbed salt into the visitors' early wounds with the game's opening try after Genia sliced his way through a gap and dived over beside the posts. Cooper added the extras and Australia had a handy 10-0 lead after 15 minutes played.
All Blacks pivot Dan Carter finally got the visitors on the board with his trusty boot mid-way through the half after the Wallabies defence was caught offside, but the Australians were still in control and Cooper replied with his second successful penalty of the match.
From the restart, two of Australia's veterans in the form of Dan Vickerman and number eight Radike Samo worked together to lift the capacity crowd off their feet.
Vickerman took his big frame into contact before putting Samo through a gap that the 35-year-old exploited to perfection - first handing off Thomson, then racing 50 metres to the tryline for a sensational try with two All Blacks hanging on his back.
Cooper slammed over the conversion from bang in front and Australia went into half-time with their tails up, leading 20-3. But any happy thoughts that Wallaby fans had of a runaway win by their team, were cast into doubt by this year's World Cup hosts in the second half.
Dominating possession from the restart, Ii was clear that New Zealand had set out their stall during the interval to extinguish the Wallaby flare that had burned so brightly in the opening 40 minutes.
First Carter added three more points with a penalty on 47 minutes, before the All Black magician drew the home side's defence and unleashed centre Conrad Smith for their opening try.
Carter's conversion took the scores to 20-11, but they weren't done there and seven minutes later the All Blacks went in for their second after Ma'a Nonu ran in to put his team right back in the frame.
With Carter's second conversion added to the mix, it was game on at 20-20!
However, Australia hit back in the best way possible.
Just like he did for the Reds in this year's Super Rugby final against the Crusaders at the same ground, Genia wrong-footed the opposition again and made good ground before delivering the offload to Ioane.
The Wallaby wing drew in the defence and then unselfishly fed Beale who ran in unopposed for the try to put the hosts back in front, but Cooper missed the conversion, leaving the scores on 25-20.
Six minutes from full-time Cooper missed what looked like a simple chance to give his side an eight-point advantage when he sent a penalty wide of the uprights.
But Australia held on through a nail-biting finish to claim the Tri-Nations crown for the first time in a decade.
Man of the match: Tough one! We could go for a Wallabies team award, but it was decided that Radike Samo, the oldest Wallaby player at 35, deserves it the most after showing everyone who witnessed his try that there's still plenty of life left in those old legs.
Moment of the match: Beale's match-winning try in the left corner to retrieve Australia's lead. It had class written all over it.
Villain of the match: Hmmm... maybe see our comments section below. We're pretty sure you'll find a few candidates in there somewhere!
The scorers:
For Australia:
Tries: Genia, Samo, Beale
Cons: Cooper 2
Pens: Cooper 2
For New Zealand:
Tries: Smith, Nonu
Cons: Carter 2
Pens: Carter 2
Australia: 15 Kurtley Beale, 14 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 13 Anthony Fainga'a, 12 Pat McCabe, 11 Digby Ioane, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia, 8 Radike Samo, 7 David Pocock, 6 Rocky Elsom, 5 James Horwill (c), 4 Dan Vickerman, 3 Ben Alexander, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Sekope Kepu.
Replacements: 16 Saia Fainga'a, 17 Salesi Ma'afu, 18 Rob Simmons, 19 Ben McCalman, 20 Scott Higginbotham, 21 Luke Burgess, 22 Rob Horne.
New Zealand: 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Zac Guildford, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 Piri Weepu, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (c), 6 Adam Thomson, 5 Samuel Whitelock, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Andrew Hore, 17 John Afoa, 18 Ali Williams, 19 Victor Vito, 20 Andy Ellis, 21 Colin Slade, 22 Isaia Toeava.
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)
By Dave Morris
Comments
7ton says...
Trinats
You now try to make out you don't blame the ref for losses. Ha Ha what a joke
And as for your stupid comparison with SA and NH refs. In recent times there has neither been enough NH refs in the trinations games between Aus and NZ and nor has Aus won enough games to draw any sensible conclusion from them. Besides any conclusion that could be drawn works both ways so the opposite to what you are trying to say could also be said
Posted 22:38 29th August 2011
trappa says...
Apologies to Rocky...I just watched a replay and he in fact made 4 tackles in 70 minutes, not just 1 that I mentioned in my earlier post
Posted 15:36 29th August 2011
MattLalor says...
Kiwilad??? Mate, are you serious? Getting a tad emotional about some very simple dirty play? Not condoning it but seriously? Are the all Blacks saints? umm... not really. this is rugby, not golf. like I said, not condoning it and if cooper does this in the RWC, he will miss games. but please, lets watch every game each week and see players take sly shots...
Posted 13:10 29th August 2011
Carpelone says...
@ Jaystarr
Next time, send me your advice on the Currie Cup, which I can not fully follow from overseas. The Griquas costed me few bucks.
Quite proud of my predictions, I predicted AUS 3N champs before the game in Durban.
I agree on New Zealand winning the RWC, although GH made some mistakes in the selection.
Posted 11:29 29th August 2011
pog_mahone says...
Just logged in, was it all Wayne Barnes' fault again?
Posted 09:18 29th August 2011
Ripzy007 says...
Great to see the Wallabies win something for the cabinet at last...I hope they meet Eng early can't wait to see Manu run riot and smash any of the Wallabies like the way the Manu Samoa smasht the Wallabies
Posted 01:21 29th August 2011
JayStarr says...
One more thing...
(I'm a bit tipsy, so bear with me... :P)
Just a little interesting food for thought:
Previous posts have already pointed out that nobody has ever won the Tri-nations and then gone on to win the World Cup. But there is another interesting trend which I find... well, interesting! :P
South Africa won the World Cup in 2007 - after going out at the QF stage in 2003...
England won the World Cup in 2003 - after going out at the QF stage in 1999...
Australia won the World Cup in 1999 - after going out at the QF stage in 1995...
South Africa won the World Cup in 1995 - after, well, not even competing in 1991...
Australia won the World Cup in 1991 - being the first (and last) team in RWC history who won the title after progressing further than the QF's at the previous tournament (they exited at the SF's in 1987).
So if this intriguing trend is to continue, then the cup will be won by a team who went out at the QF stage in 2007...
And since it is highly unlikely that it could be either Fiji or Scotland, it leaves us with Australia and New Zealand.
And since no team has ever won the Tri-nations and then gone on to win the World Cup...
... it means that New Zealand will win the World Cup!
:P
Posted 01:04 29th August 2011
JayStarr says...
@ carpelone: Yes I did. I also stated Samoa to beat Australia by 14+ and just about every other result that happened since then... including the Griquas beating this Cheetahs this weekend (and actually turned R100 into R400 in the process - so I put my money where my mouth is).
I did not forsee the lack of passion by the AB's. In my analysis I predicted the game exactly - up until the point of the All Blacks finishing strong after containing the Wallabies onslaught...
However, my point had nothing to do with my score predictions... (if anything, it's what I write before that). The point is, I don't run my mouth about nonsense without backing it up - if he wants to call me a "muppet", then he needs to back it up. Where am I wrong? What is is that I said that he doesn't agree with? If he wants to hit and run with "you're a muppet", then I'm fully entitled to say something equally d!
If he wants to engage in a rational conversation, then I can do that too. As most of you will know, that is my usual style. But there are few things which I find as annoying as upstarts coming on here with there YouTube manners... So excuse my arrogant retort, but I prefer to give what I get.
Back to the game...
There was something I forgot to say in my original post: GO ON RADIKE SAMO! I absolutely loved that try - not only because it was a kick-@$$ try, but because he is 35+ and scored a try like that. He basically put two fingers up to all these ageist people who believe that you can't play rugby after 30. I am getting fed up with it - times have changed. Guys like Stefan Terreblanche are still playing fantastic rugby... nevermind Victor Matfield, Brad Thorn, Shane Williams, etc. I would like to see more guys carry on with rugby for longer. Samo scored that try for all the "oldies". If they've still got it, why not? Go for it!
Posted 00:40 29th August 2011
KiwiLad says...
Read carefully Trinats, did not blame the ref, ABs very ordinary in the ist 40, and did not deserve to win.
Wayne Barnes is a plonker though..
Trinats, how does your hatred of Saffer refs, go down with your bride..
Posted 20:30 28th August 2011
melkdave says...
I dont think the ABs chocke at any time in 07 they where just outplayed by a France team on fire that day.Every RWC they have just come up against a team playing very well and raising their game and perhaps wanting it just a little bit more thats all .Its the curse of perpeptually being the number one team that everyone wants to beat. The wallabies certinally wanted the 3N title on saturday while for the ABs it is just routinally expected for them to win and lets face it not the major prize for them this year.It dosent really have any bearing on what will happen at RWC but it shows the ABs can be beaten whitch is good Again congratulations to the wallabies they played well and won all you can ask of any team
Posted 16:11 28th August 2011
Ramage says...
Well the Wallabies turned up in the first half and the All Blacks didnt and so the game result was changed from the earlier test. Congratulations Oz you deserved the win and take it as it will have really hurt the All Blacks and with some of the niggle on the field if they should meet there will be plenty to play for. That meet can only be in the final and if the teams choke again remember the Aussies choked against England the same day as NZ choked against France, only earlier, then they wont meet.
Regards to the referee stop bleating he did not determine the game he was just technically bad and he did not referee the game to help the non infringers be they Wallabies or All Blacks. When I say bad I mean really below what I consider to be of test standard. There were so many errors, so much illegal play that was missed or ignored by Barnes and I couldnt believe what I was seeing. He was equally lenient on both sides and really was the worst of all the referees in this current Trinations. He will need to pick up his standard othewise he will have the world ridiculing him. The offside law was ignored, his positioning of himself on the field at times bizarre, he allowed too many players to pull themselves on to the ground an then be in the way of clearing the ball. Was it because he was so unfit and couldnt keep up with play that his braincells werent working properly? I dont know but it was a strange performance. One thing that was missing and was good was his normal chatter and condescending attitude to the players, perhaps he is learning on one side but awol on the other.
Posted 15:11 28th August 2011
carpelone says...
@ jaystarr
What can Odschool learn from your posts? You stated ABs by 10+...
Posted 14:44 28th August 2011
JayStarr says...
@ OldSchool: Pay attention and you might learn something...
Posted 13:34 28th August 2011
BDAUSSIE says...
Still improvement to be made by the wallabies, especially from their bench. I'd like to see Palu, Sharpe, TPN and Slipper added to the bench so that we can physically dominate in the final 30 minutes of the game
Posted 12:40 28th August 2011
OldSchool says...
As a passionate Wallaby supporter I mainly feel relief that the boys have shown us they can actually pull out a top shelf performance. It was a fantastic game for the spectators. Some points:
- Both sides were infringing and didn't get pulled up, so stop bleating about the ref.
- Neither team had their best XV on the paddock, and most likely no team in the cup will ever be able to field their most desirable XV.
- The same person who gives JOC his "wake up" backhander needs to get to Cooper quickly as well. Accidental knee or not, definitely poor form and he needs to pull his head in.
- Blacks still the obvious cup favourites. Who is going to roll them at home in the final?? I think if Aus make it they will put a good fight but may fall short at Eden Park.
- JayStarr, based on your first post, you seem to be a bit of a muppet.
Posted 11:16 28th August 2011
7ton says...
dylster
In regards to your comment about the ref being slightly in the way I have noticed that in many games in international and super 15 Genia will run close to the ref and more often will run along behind a screen of his players making it hard for the defenders to reach and tackle him while looking for a gap to snipe through. There is nothing against the laws with that providing players don't deliberatly interefere with the defenders (well if the ref doesn't notice them). In any case we can't complain as it is something the All Blacks would do and have done as well.
Genia is a very quick thinker and a match winner and IMO the best srcum half in the world.
Posted 10:51 28th August 2011
KiwiLad says...
well done Australia, deserved winners.
Wayne Barnes on the other hand is an idiot, twice he positioned himself in the ABs backline, and twice Aus were able to exploit this and score trys..
Watch the replays..
Not saying the ABs would have won, they were like headless chickens in the1st half
But surely the time has come for Wayne Barnes to be sacked as an international ref.
Quade, the burglar, you are a spinless, nasty, cretin, and you are a disgrace to the country of your birth, and the place you now call home..
Posted 10:34 28th August 2011
carpelone says...
@ 7ton
Hang on a moment. About Crockett, I think that he is outstanding in the loose (he is an additional loosie) and that he struggles at scrum, because of his physical frame. He struggles with Flynn and Mealamu and tends to use his left hand to touch the ground and push up. Maybe with Hore the results would be different as Hore seems that can stabilise a scrum better. Has he ever played with him before being dropped? In any case, you may be well concede 1 or 2 penalties at scrum if this results in other benefits for the squad.
Re Guildford, a wing in teams like NZ has to stay out wide. There are already enough guys eager to work around the ruck. When he got involved, he threw an ear-pass to McCaw. You may be used as a ball carrier (like Sivi), but it is better to stay out wide, touch the ball 3 or four times and score one or two tries. At least it is my humble opinion. Not that Jane was any better.
Anyway, I wait for the quote to raise a bit and I will put my money on ABs winning the RWC.
Posted 09:37 28th August 2011
rugbylover says...
As an England supportrer (sigh) & an admireer of the Wallabies & AB's, I agree completely with Powerplay.
It appears that all the feral inbreds using the term ¿choke¿ whenever NZ (& only NZ) lose reveal themselves ¿ not that there¿s much to reveal ¿ no intellect ¿ merely bile not even envy ¿ merely blind hatred. Fear also.
Sad really.
Posted 08:55 28th August 2011
jonesy2 says...
oh PR, villian of the match: quade 'the burglar' cooper. ive been defending him on the site for awhile now but im officially not a fan anymore, god he was lucky that thorn didnt knock him into next week. what is he thinking messing with the likes of thorn and richie.
Posted 08:00 28th August 2011