All Blacks too good for Wallabies
18 Aug 2012
GARETH DUNCAN watched the All Blacks ease to a comfortable 27-19 win over the Wallabies in Sydney.
It wasn’t the most convincing All Blacks performance, but there were clear signs that the current world champions will be the side to beat of this Rugby Championship.
They dominated most of the facets of play, especially in general play as their breakdown dominance laid the platform for this victory. The All Blacks pack dominated their Australian counterparts, which saw the backline thrive.
Despite this ascendancy, the All Blacks only had limited chances to cross the chalk. But they were lethal in the opposition’s red zone, finishing off most of their try-scoring opportunities. This should improve as this team continues to build during the campaign.
The scoreline flattered the Wallabies, who struggled on attack and were guilty of too many individual errors. Kurtley Beale had a nightmare at fullback as his two missed tackles in the last line of defence cost his team two tries.
The boot of Berrick Barnes kept the hosts in the game, but they’ll need to work on their cohesion and offence if they want to be a threat this season. Talks of them being the Pumas’ best bet for victory on Argentinean soil seem likely.
The Wallabies enjoyed a good start to the match, forcing a penalty from an early scrum shortly after the kick-off. Barnes was on target. But once the All Blacks kicked into gear, they gained control of the match.
The All Blacks surged into a 13-3 lead by the end of the first quarter, thanks to Israel Dagg’s try and Dan Carter’s boot.
Dagg’s try came from a smart set-piece move, which saw Sonny Bill Williams and Ma’a Nonu’s dummy runs suck in the Wallabies defence, and Carter’s accurate pass to his fullback giving him a one-on-one run against Beale. And Dagg beat the Aussie No 15 on his outside to sneak in at the corner. Carter added the extras, in addition to two penalties.
The Wallabies created promising chances thereafter, but poor handling and interplay saw the All Blacks easily restricting the home team, creating pressure.
This pressure was evident on the half-hour mark as Beale knocked-on an easy pass from Genia in the Wallabies’ 22m area, which proved costly. From the resulting scrum, the All Blacks shifted possession quickly through the backline, which created space for Cory Jane out wide. Again, Beale was beaten on the outside and Jane dived over.
With an 18-3 advantage, it looked like the All Blacks were going to cruise to victory. But the Wallabies hit back cruicially before half-time as Digby Ioane’s rush to the tryline put Nathan Sharpe in a position to power over. Barnes kicked the conversion for the last points of the first stanza, which saw the All Blacks hold an 18-10 lead at the break.
The final 40 proved to be a kicking contest, with Carter and Barnes adding three penalties apiece. The All Blacks had two clear try-scoring opportunities, but the Wallabies did well to force the visitors into touch.
Australia managed to cut the deficit to five points during the dying stages of the Test as Barnes slotted his fourth three-pointer. But it was always going to be too late and New Zealand held on.
Carter kicked a penalty for the last action of the game, taking the winning margin to eight points and denying the hosts a losing bonus-point.
Wallabies head coach Robbie Deans’ record against the All Blacks reads three wins from 16 fixtures. This will likely be three from 17 next weekend when the two teams clash again in Auckland.
276 Comments
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18 Aug 2012, 15:22 pm
@Heavens Game-248: Let’s wait and see how fuckemupping sixlove will be Sharkie boys against the minnows at home for starters. And only then look up to the biggies.
18 Aug 2012, 15:24 pm
@Nils-251:
which national,provincial and club sides do you support?
where did you play clubrugby?
nail your colours to the mast.
18 Aug 2012, 15:32 pm
@Fern-252: Hasn’t that been fairly obvious during these years?
New Zealand (other favs Argentina, Georgia)
Crusaders
Canterbury (although do not have that big interest in NPC)
I do watch Currie cup and NH competitions, too, although have no particular teams to root for, just enjoy.
I did play in amateur competition in Latvia, that was a long time ago and returned to rugby (although only as a beer drinking lazy watching enjoyer) about decade ago.
18 Aug 2012, 15:33 pm
@Fern-252: Beyootiful schedule today… Sharks A’s vs Los Pumas, 5pm at the Reserve Tank (TM SharksLover) followed by Sharks B vs Lions at 7pm, Sharks Tank…
What an awesome afternoon of dynamite rugga
18 Aug 2012, 15:34 pm
@Nils-253: However, if pressed then in 6 Nations I usually cheer for French and Welsh.
18 Aug 2012, 15:35 pm
@Nils-251: Yes… Not long to wait for Black and White, Green and Gold Dynamite.
18 Aug 2012, 15:35 pm
@Heavens Game-254: Just so you know????
Sharks u19 at the moment up 18-0 against Bulls u19
18 Aug 2012, 15:37 pm
@sharks_lover-257: Eish, go you good things… This is starting to sound like an era of all round Black and White dominance starting….
18 Aug 2012, 15:38 pm
@Heavens Game-256: yes, finally. hoping, Pumas play well and avoid the thumping, that will do their cause world of good. even if they lose all 6 games.
18 Aug 2012, 15:40 pm
@Nils-253:
what was this amateur comp in latvia?
@Heavens Game-254:
Awesome day for some good rugga and lots of vitamen beer.
18 Aug 2012, 15:40 pm
@Nils-259: Los Pumas will not be pumped by scoreline… But farkme they gonna be terrorised by Black and White dynamite today on field…
Like King Keegan, Cappie to be…. Now you see him… now you dont
18 Aug 2012, 15:42 pm
@Fern-260: Vitamin Beer…You like that?
(Tm HG)
18 Aug 2012, 15:42 pm
@Heavens Game-261:
Whats your take on Carel Dup’s lightie signing for 2 years at the Sharks?
18 Aug 2012, 15:44 pm
@Heavens Game-262:
Up there with “crocodile death rolls with duvet clasped between the legs”(tm Chunt du Fernly).
18 Aug 2012, 15:46 pm
@Fern-263: Good for the future… Nice to see the DuPs can see which way the Rugby bread is buttered…
But I reckon we need a tighthead and a lock then S15 2013 is ours already.
18 Aug 2012, 15:47 pm
@Fern-264: Lol… Outtahere for now… its Rugga time… Go Boks… Go Sharks.
Later
18 Aug 2012, 15:55 pm
The black mercenaries Fckng up the powder blue mercenaries where will it ever end
Sharkshitmanure over Bullshitmanicdepression
18 Aug 2012, 15:58 pm
@Fern-260: I do not recall (and frankly do not care a bit) that was so long ago – the 80s, we were still kids.
18 Aug 2012, 16:09 pm
rugby already gone all the way equal to soccer, if Carel Dup’s lightie is lured to sharkshits due to a better cash offer, then all the traditions and allegiances in this game have long ago been eroded by mercenary money bartering and pride of provincial allegiance long ago disappeared down the money mogul plughole.
Just like sad eyed Sadie and hovering Hougie young Jean Luc Dup gonna be crying bitter sweet mercenary tears just the same
18 Aug 2012, 16:45 pm
Dagg and Jane will both take sometimes take it easy during super rugby, by boy do those two know how to dial it in for a test match. Two of the form outside backs in the world.
18 Aug 2012, 20:57 pm
@DAS-270:
Have to agree fully
best wing and best 15 in the world
18 Aug 2012, 23:19 pm
There are a few ABs approaching their sell by date. Will be very interesting to see how McCaw, Carter, Mealamu, Hore, Nonu, Conrad Smith, Woodcock etc are replaced in time for the next world cup.
ABs are in danger of hanging onto their world cup winners just a bit too long. A mistake previously made by Aus, England and SA. Sentimentality is a dangerous thing. And how do you replace McCaw and Carter?
19 Aug 2012, 00:13 am
Mccaw is still fine, but it seems like Carter hasn’t been the goods all season.
19 Aug 2012, 04:05 am
@munkiboi-272: Based on what we can see at the moment, McCaw = Kane, Carter = Cruden,Woodcock = Franks. There are a couple of possible new hookers, but not at the same standard yet. Hooker maybe the biggest concern. Kahui will take over from Smith (4 years younger) for a while if needed, so there is a few years to go before centre becomes a major issue. 2nd five is a bit of a worry though. No massive standout for that one yet. Maybe Toeava when fit. The good thing is that of the players mentioned, maybe only Woodcock and McCaw are perhaps past there very best (aging bodies) watching them so far this season. Both still world class though, and fortunately with decent looking replacements already starting to come through. Hore and Mealamu still very strong, with Mealamu having one of his best games last night. Watch the EOY tour to see what Hansen is starting to bring through for Hooker and midfield.
19 Aug 2012, 11:00 am
Keep an eye out for Charlie Ngatai a young midfeild back just signed by the Chiefs
19 Aug 2012, 11:54 am
Munkiboy
ABs are already bringing the next generation through. Retallick, Romano, Barrit, Savea, Smith, Cane etc these guys have been introduced to not only test rugby but the AB systems and I can guarantee they have been informed of the things in their game they need to work on.
Hansen has surprised me in the fact he has blooded so many youngsters already.
Tameifuna, Faumuiana also. expect these youngsters to improve in next seasons super rugby tourney.
the future for AB rugby is looking very good imho
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