ABs duo key in Wallabies drubbing

ABs duo key in Wallabies drubbing

25 Aug 2012

GARETH DUNCAN watched Dan Carter and Sonny Bill Williams make telling contributions in the All Blacks’ 22-0 victory over the Wallabies at Eden Park.

On the back of an errant first-half performance, the All Blacks dominated the second stanza to clinch a comfortable win and the Bledisloe Cup for a 10th consecutive year.

The victors didn’t have the forwards dominance they enjoyed in Sydney last week, but they were the better team in general play and they capitalised on the Wallabies’ ill-discipline.

Carter and Williams should take most of the credit for this triumph, with the flyhalf starring with the boot and the latter playing a key role on attack.

Carter slotted six of his seven goal attempts, for a personal tally of 17 points (five penalties and one conversion). He also formed a dangerous combination with Williams, who troubled the Aussie defence regularly.

The All Blacks No 12 carried the ball strongly and offloaded superbly, and created most of his team’s try-scoring opportunities. While New Zealand failed to capitalise on these chances in the opening 40, Israel Dagg finished off a move started by the inside centre after the break.

It was Williams’ last Test before his move to Japan. He will be sorely missed as he’s grown into one of the best inside centres in world rugby. He’s become an important cog in the All Blacks line-up, especially with ball in hand. The experienced Conrad Smith should recover from an eye injury ahead of the Kiwis’ next Rugby Championship fixture against Argentina and is a quality player to fill in the midfield. But New Zealand rugby will poorer during Williams’ absence.

The Wallabies started well in the first quarter, with Michael Hooper a menace at the breakdowns, and the Australian heavies fronting up on attack and defence. But the visitors failed to convert this ascendancy into points.

The All Blacks then started controlling matters after a shaky showing in the first quarter. Williams starred on this platform and his fellow backs exposed the gaps in the opposition’s guard. However, they fell short on every occasion. Carter eventually opened the scoring with a 25th minute penalty.

The Wallabies suffered a major blow when Will Genia was yellow-carded for cynical play moments later. But despite having a one-man advantage, the All Blacks still couldn’t reach the whitewash. Instead, they scored two more penalties, which was enough for a 9-0 lead at half-time.

The All Blacks then sealed the match early in the second half. Dagg touched down five minutes after the restart, while Carter added the extras and kicked two penalties for a commanding advantage.

Game over.

The Wallabies were never going to score 20-plus points in the final quarter. They lacked creativity with possession, even with Quade Cooper’s inclusion, and their ploy to turn down kickable penalties to pursue the try saw them finish the match without any points on the scoreboard.

The winning margin could’ve been greater if the All Blacks had more composure during the dying stages. They made poor decisions and spilled the pill near the tryline. But nevertheless, the mission was accomplished in Auckland and this will be remembered as one of the Wallabies’ most embarrassing defeats.


403 Comments

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  • 101.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 10:35 am

    ABs can’t get out of 2nd gear

  • 102.Big Hit: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 10:35 am

    Beale takes up where he left off :)

  • 103.AiDoc: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 10:36 am

    DAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • 104.The Analyst: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 10:36 am

    ABs just as bored with playing and beating Aus as everyone seems to be watching them do it.

  • 105.AiDoc: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 10:37 am

    2 101 dAWN

    dON’T HAVE TO
    19 – 0

  • 106.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 10:37 am

    Or maybe they don’t need to …

  • 107.Big Hit: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 10:37 am

    Good work from Sonny Bill, shame he’s leaving proper rugby

  • 108.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 10:37 am

    sbw is a superstar…pity we won’t see him against frans steyn.

  • 109.The Analyst: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 10:38 am

    Beale let in x2 trys with x2 missed tackles last week, now another. Will he get a hatrick this week?

  • 110.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 10:38 am

    Snap

  • 111.Pencil: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 10:39 am

    Dagg is looking so much better in an AB shirt than he did all S15.

  • 112.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 10:39 am

    naas’ “analysis” is KAK

    what did we learn from that rubbish at half time?

  • 113.The Analyst: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 10:40 am

    That Naas’s analysis is jack ….

  • 114.TheTackler: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 10:40 am

    Aussies have just lost the plot completely. Huge snotting unfolding here.

  • 115.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 10:40 am

    Who watches Naas at halftime anyway

    Yawn

  • 116.Robzim: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 10:40 am

    @Big Hit-86:

    Your figures are plainly wrong. From 2007 till current It is 62/38 for NZ ( pickandgo dot com). If you reckon it is competitive then so be it- most will disagree.

  • 117.fitz1ella: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 10:41 am

    AB class, Sbw gotta be the most influential rugby player in rugby union for some time, anybody still unable to recognize the absolute class of the man is simply living under some type of jealousy syndrome delusion

  • 118.viewer: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 10:41 am

    Ja nee, jammer robbie deans. Its no longer if, but when they’ll axe him

  • 119.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 10:41 am

    @wnbb-88: he said his original nic was “grant”

  • 120.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 10:42 am

    Tackler has spoken

  • 121.Puma: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 10:42 am

    Abs will open it up now. Huge margin ahead so will be able now to play with freedom. They probably will get the bonus point.

  • 122.The Analyst: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 10:43 am

    Ag Robzim, get a life. No one really cares. There are many more chsllenges in SA rugby than win loss ratio vs ABs. We do not have a Cabinet Minister for Rugby like NZ Government has ….

  • 123.mikeybrass: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 10:44 am

    @Robzim-116: The ABs won one more game during PdV’s reign, a home match. We’re competitive again.

  • 124.The Analyst: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 10:45 am

    Ozzies lost without their Southern African talisman Pocock.

  • 125.viewer: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 10:45 am

    Morning Dawn

  • 126.wnbb: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 10:45 am

    A very brave ref to call the All Blacks for that forward pass.

  • 127.Big Hit: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 10:45 am

    @Robzim-116: post-WC under PDV, it’s 55-45. 6 wins to 5 for NZ who had an extra home game. So yes, it is competitive – unlike this fixture.

    #dealwithit :)

  • 128.Te Rangatira: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 10:46 am

    Aussies not even firing a shot…….Deans needs to fokoff
    @fitz1ella-117:
    you are so right…..huge loss to rugby

  • 129.TheTackler: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 10:47 am

    @The Analyst-122: What “cabinet minister for rugby? McCully was minister for the RWC, which is a one-off portfolio and merely designed to get the organisers access to the top dogs. The portfolio now no longer exists. There is a sports minister — same as old Fickley Doolittle Mbopalula.

  • 130.viewer: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 10:48 am

    Aus haven’t played so unconvincingly since 2006

  • 131.The Analyst: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 10:49 am

    For all the NZ obsession winning,the emphasis on rugby is actually brings very littlemtonthe country exceptmtominflate the ‘small island’ image the rest of the world has of them. Unlike in SA where rugby is playing and has played a key role in transforming the country. For us it is not all about winning, but how rugby fits into the bigger socio – economic picture.

  • 132.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 10:49 am

    @fitz1ella-117: deans playing two opensiders..

  • 133.willievz: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 10:51 am

    All Blacks’ protection of the ruck ball is outstanding.

  • 134.Blitzbok: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 10:52 am

    aussies are as kak as i said all along but the reffing so ***** again! new zealand worthless pieces of dog sshit. whats worse the kings or the kiwis? fkin hard call that one. another trinations/championship/sh comp fked up by stupid fkin coksuker refs.

  • 135.Pencil: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 10:52 am

    Dagg’s having an amazing game, great player.

  • 136.willievz: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 10:53 am

    @Pencil-135: Yep, countering the kick chase.

    Hope the Boks are watching.

  • 137.fitz1ella: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 10:53 am

    Michael Hooper is the closest carbon copy to a Luke Watson clone at open side flank as you ever gonna find, ain’t it just the ultimate ironic hypocrisy that he happens to be Jake the Fakes most favored blue eyed boytjie

  • 138.AiDoc: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 10:54 am

    @ 130 Viewer
    No since last week

  • 139.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 10:54 am

    Jinne blitzbok you have a foul mouth

  • 140.Big Hit: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 10:54 am

    @Big Hit-127: to add to that, SA have two wins in NZ in that time, Australia have none and don’t look like breaking that duck tonight

  • 141.Blitzbok: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 10:54 am

    @The Analyst-131: rugby has done fk all to transform south afrika chum. south africa is now run by socialist anal waste and its fkin destroyed. greeeeaaat. rugby is been fked up thanks to so fkin called transformation. and yuo say that now wen the kings are given another fkin handout.

  • 142.Blitzbok: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 10:56 am

    @Big Hit-140: wen you have a kak team with a kak coach you aint gonna get so much as a slap on the aarse against new zealand. too much cheating its fkin impossible for almost anyone to play them in mudd-slide island.

  • 143.The Analyst: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 10:57 am

    That is better than civil war chum …

  • 144.Robzim: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 10:57 am

    @Big Hit-127:

    Not sure what your source is but i (source: pickandgo dot com) have them winning 8/13 (62%) against SA starting with the game in June 2007 at Kingspark

    I have to admit that the 62 % is better than England’s “winning” record against them (zero%) versus them since 2007 :) So in that sense it is very competitive.

    You have better cyclists though.

  • 145.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 10:58 am

    sharpe BLATANTLY collapsing maul in front of the ref.

  • 146.Blitzbok: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 10:58 am

    @fitz1ella-137: wat a piece of shitt you are. he aint jakes favourite fkin anything. he isnt even a brumbie anymore you stupid azz-licking cok garggling *** nugget.

  • 147.AiDoc: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 10:58 am

    This wobbly mob would easily beat the 2007 non-scrummagers

  • 148.Big Hit: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 10:58 am

    Good to see Quade back on the pitch, hopefully he can get sharper from here. Whatever about the man, he is a very exciting player and I think Australia need him.

  • 149.londonshark: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 10:59 am

    @Blitzbok-134:

    Please use real words. This is not a Justin Bieber blogg.

  • 150.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    25 Aug 2012, 10:59 am

    Why is Piri in squad

    To lead Haka?

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