Saturday, August 6, 2011
All Blacks retain Bledisloe Cup with Eden Park win
Highlights of the All Blacks v Wallabies Bledisloe Cup test match played at Eden Park, Auckland.
Last updated 00:01 07/08/2011
It was yet another superb performance from Graham Henry's men and it's difficult to know what else needs to be improved on before the World Cup, so good was the performance.
The All Blacks had more to lose in the game. A Wallabies defeat could be comfortably brushed off as this is still a young Australia side that's developing and they also have a number of key players to come back in time for the World Cup.
But for the All Blacks, a loss on home soil just over a month out from the start of the World Cup would have been disastrous and that positivity around the country about the team would have evaporated overnight.
But none of that is going to happen. This win put a significant line in the sand ahead of the World Cup and All Blacks fans really can dare to believe that the Webb Ellis Cup is coming back.
To beat the team ranked No2 in the world so convincingly was the best indication as to how good this team is in 2011.
The key to last night's victory was the All Blacks' defence and their ability to shut down the Wallabies' runners before they got going. This was done by standing flat and putting in massive hits to stop all of the ball runners' momentum.
David Pocock conceded a penalty in the fifth minute by going straight to ground at a ruck, a mistake that Dan Carter was able to convert into three points.
This was quickly followed by a Ma'a Nonu try, his 18th for the All Blacks, as he was somehow able to dive around three Australians to score from two metres out
As the half went on the Wallabies started getting into the game with Will Genia and Quade Cooper showing touches of their magic while Rocky Elsom was putting in an immense performance up front.
However, it was to be the All Blacks who'd score the next try with Keven Mealamu going in from all of 10cm for the try and with Carter's conversion making the score 17-0 the result already looked to be in the bag.
Two missed penalties by James O'Connor didn't help the Australian cause and they looked a crushed side as they trudged off at halftime.
Carter's drop kick in the 48th minute was very un-All Blacks like, but was no doubt something to put into practice ahead of the World Cup.
Digby Ioane's try in the 54th minute finally got Australia on the board, but hopes of a comeback disappeared straight from the restart with Sitiveni Sivivatu scoring after Conrad Smith made a long run.
It was to be try that really sealed the contest. But impressively the All Blacks' concentration didn't drop off over the rest of the half. They stuck to their task, followed the game plan and got the victory.
Only a consolation try to Wallabies skipper Rocky Elsom blotted the finish but it was a done deal by then.
The result means the Bledisloe Cup has been retained by the All Blacks for another year.
That's one trophy won, how many more are to come?
New Zealand 30: (Ma'a Nonu, Keven Mealamu, Sitiveni Sivivatu tries; Dan Carter 3 con, 2 pen, dropped goal)
Australia 14: (Digby Ioane, Rocky Elsom tries; Quade Cooper 2 con).
Halftime: 17-0
- Stuff
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