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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25 Aug 2012, 12:45 pm
@SAussie/QldRed-299: Not so sure about the confidence mate,
Boks are without too many key players to be confident and also new coach is still in the mind set of not wanting to lose, this its a kicking mentallity , wwhich for now is working,
But we wont be playing england and the Puma’s all the time, AB’s and Aussie in play soon.
25 Aug 2012, 12:45 pm
@sharks_lover-293: Yip agree. Sharks loosies were smaller and yet that is where we were superb. Our loosies too were very fast. Definitely a plus that our Locks were hitting the rucks. Last week never noticed even Eben hitting rucks. Bekker never as far as I can remember. I think there we do miss Kruger for the Boks he did hit rucks against England.
We also have to remember Sharks played a different game style to Boks. Our loosies were superb even though they were smaller. All of them played with great skills. Our off-loading game was superb there. Our whole team played that game though. Our tight five though were excellent for Sharks and that too allowed for our Locks and loosies to play well. Also remember we had a thinking fh too and our centres played great not just this bash it up as we are doing with the Boks. Our wings saw plenty ball too. Just such a different game we played.
Anyhow it is very hard to defend against off-loading game. Defence has to be wide awake. All of the time. I wish the Boks could play like that well if we could put the two game plans together we could be unbeatable.
For now we need Brussow that Bissie is out injured. There is no question about that. Alberts to stay at 8 then and Marcell at 7 with Brussow on at 6.
25 Aug 2012, 12:47 pm
@Puma-302: Meant – our front row played excellent the reason too our Locks played well.
25 Aug 2012, 12:47 pm
@Puma-303: well Pooms it’s about playing the forwards as a unit.
25 Aug 2012, 12:48 pm
@Puma-294:
fair call they will be a little jaded but I doubt the travel will be too much of a problem Argentina is half way to Africa, like wise the Perth leg will break up the travel for you guys to NZ, look out when the Ab’s click and the passes stick though somebody is going to cop it
25 Aug 2012, 12:48 pm
@poppa69-300:
Pops what happened to Jerome Ka!no.
25 Aug 2012, 12:50 pm
@Jeraldjay-306: chased the money in Japan mate… big big loss for us, neither Messam or Vito imo have grabbed the spot as their own yet… would like to see Vito start the next game, looked good today but against a tired Wallabies outfit…
25 Aug 2012, 12:52 pm
@Puma-291: that’s not true…jacque in 30min hit almost as many rucks as keegan did in 50min…the numbers i know mean nothing but efficacy is more important but keegan is no ruck bully, never been! actually at the sharks he stands off & bresler, beast, alberts & bissy do the donkey work.
25 Aug 2012, 12:52 pm
@NZINCHINA-305: think that may be a direct result of Conrad not playing… Dagg was greedy today and gear should have been able to just stroll over… hope Shag and co can reinforce this to Dagg because he seemed to have keo’s problem of white line fever
25 Aug 2012, 12:55 pm
@Transformation-308: Correct, but thats what it’s about, each player has his duties, they cant all be hitting rucks, or all play loose
25 Aug 2012, 12:55 pm
@poppa69-309:
yip his return can’t come quicker enough without a doubt one of the best around, we should have buried them by 40 tonight
25 Aug 2012, 12:58 pm
NZinchina
credit to the Aussie defense mate. they never stopped trying. ABs guilty of pushing the pass at times. still plenty to work on which is great imo.
25 Aug 2012, 12:58 pm
@poppa69-307:
The Japanese have really turned the game we all love ups!de down.
But I don’t m?nd the Boks not play!ng aga!nst a Ka!no, R!ch!e and Read combo.
25 Aug 2012, 12:58 pm
@Puma-302: ” Last week
never noticed even Eben hitting
rucks.”
eben hit the 2nd most number of rucks with 21 and that was 2 less than alberts…can’t blame him…watch the game again.
25 Aug 2012, 12:59 pm
@NZINCHINA-305: I thought that Aus would cop it today to be honest. Well they did but your guys never ran away with the 4 tries, that is what I am meaning there.
Yip very hard to defend against those great off-loads if all the team are doing it and getting it spot on. Our defence has to be wide awake for that. Still think Boks will beat ABs at FNB. Not gonna be a pretty game mate, just win at all costs and we good when it comes to that at home. As long as our big ball carriers don’t pick up a injury. Also now that Bissie is out against the ABs think we will need Brussow back.
25 Aug 2012, 13:01 pm
@Jeraldjay-313:
You really gotta do something about that phone of yours buddy
25 Aug 2012, 13:01 pm
well…the good news out of this game for you bok fans is if they beat the Pumas tomorrow then the Boks go to number 2 in the I.R.B world rankings…
25 Aug 2012, 13:04 pm
@poppa69-312: aussies were spoiling at tge breakdown willy nilly though, ver cynical from them & deliberate too.
25 Aug 2012, 13:05 pm
@Jeraldjay-313: agree, but I cant fault the players for doing what any of us would do if offered the money they have thrown at them..
Kaino achieved everything in rugby bar a Lions series win, was a shame to see him go when at the top but again, dont blame him one bit..
25 Aug 2012, 13:07 pm
@poppa69-312:
hopefully they’ll get it spot on for the Argies
@Puma-315:
fuuny isn’t it we give them a hiding they can’t score, yet AB fans aren’t that happy ,good to see you backing your team the last game at FNB was sensational and I don’t just mean the end result, one of the things i’ll never forget from that game was Juan Smith he was outstanding that night
25 Aug 2012, 13:08 pm
@Transformation-318: agreed, but every team does it as the breakdown is such a crucial area… thought Timani had his best game for them, probably the only forward along with Moore (who impresses me each time he plays, no nonsense type who gets stuck in) who had good games for the Aussies..
25 Aug 2012, 13:11 pm
@NZINCHINA-320: I think Shag will play a few of the fringe players against them, Ellison, Cruden etc to give the frontline guys a rest before confronting the Bokke.. Thought Ben Smith had a great cameo tonight too..
Juan Smith, best bokke of the modern era for me..
25 Aug 2012, 13:15 pm
@poppa69-322:
hope he doesn’t tinker too much this team needs more game time to perfect their attack defense is spot on, they talk about Botha being the enforcer Smith was the real enforcer hard but clean the complete opposite of the thug
25 Aug 2012, 13:20 pm
Hi Poppa, I can’t blame Deans for how the Wobblies played, he is not a quitter and he is doing his best with what he’s got, I think to have a good chance we needed our top 15 on the field and we never seem to get that, all you can do is try and improve every time you play and they did that tonight, Sonny Bill will be a big loss but the AB factory will just pump out another player, good luck Bokks your going to need it
25 Aug 2012, 13:21 pm
@NZINCHINA-323: but the argies game is the perfect time to test some of the newer guys, like Cane, Ellison etc. because if we get hit with an unexpected injury some of these guys havent played since before the Super final, so it may effect our game more if they are called in with no time under their belts imo..
25 Aug 2012, 13:22 pm
@NZINCHINA-323: Juan Smith is all class, true professional who I admire muchly…
25 Aug 2012, 13:22 pm
Joost arrived in Argentina via Columbia very upset that the holes in his underpants had meant all his stash had fallen out while he was sleeping in First Class. There is a mountain of snow under a seat somewhere across the atlantic.
25 Aug 2012, 13:24 pm
@SAussie/QldRed-324: players make coaches mate… think he may have selected quite a few out of form guys, which has translated over to the Wallabies..
25 Aug 2012, 13:26 pm
@Diontnz-317: Great news. Tired of the Aussies always going on about being the number 2 team in the world. Though it’s clear that there’s nothing much in it between Boks,Aus and Wales.
25 Aug 2012, 13:31 pm
Ah I see EL Presidente is talking great sense again at 293 daring to ho against HM with the selection of Brussow – also right about the locks – but the sharks licks don’t offer much mire than bekker – should be elstadt at 4 with etsebeth or Kruger at 5 then you got locks hitting rucks.
25 Aug 2012, 13:35 pm
30 on the trot at the garden of Eden
25 Aug 2012, 13:38 pm
NzINCHiNA
u must be kakking off for the Bokke game somewhat ?
could make a mockery of tge RWC champs tag -and confirm how dodge brycie is?
25 Aug 2012, 13:39 pm
@cab-332:
hi cabbie yip I just gone out and bought a whole new range of underwear to prepare
25 Aug 2012, 13:42 pm
Cab you’ll be happy you’ll be ranked 2 in the world in a few hours time
25 Aug 2012, 13:44 pm
@NZINCHINA-334: but only until Aussie beat them in perth
25 Aug 2012, 13:46 pm
Who is this blitzbok nwata
25 Aug 2012, 13:51 pm
@poppa69-335:
if they get beaten by Aus this year they should give the game away
25 Aug 2012, 13:51 pm
Howzit NzInCHINA
yep don’t blame u / if the Boks select right u could be in a spot of bother with the rods
am hoping we lose to Argie which will shape selections for the AB encounters. Might be big trouble on the horizon with the AB dominance brought down to earth – who can forget tge cleansweep scarring of 2009 ?
25 Aug 2012, 13:52 pm
@NZINCHINA-337: without Pocock I think the Aussies will struggle asgainst them, but they have history on their side recently, should actually be a good game..
25 Aug 2012, 13:53 pm
@cab-338: those of us who remember the 2010 manshaming of Pollsmoor proportions
25 Aug 2012, 13:55 pm
@cab-338:
well certainly not you you dined/ are still dining out on that one as we type lol
25 Aug 2012, 13:56 pm
@NZINCHINA-341: Cab always has these big predictions, i remember one he made before the WC..
that turned out well for him
25 Aug 2012, 13:58 pm
@poppa69-339:
the battle for 2/3 place is always interesting
25 Aug 2012, 13:59 pm
@poppa69-342:
mostly when he’s on the sauce so thats all good
25 Aug 2012, 14:01 pm
Popps – mate 2009 was when u fellas ain’t seen anything like that, that was a manhandling of fantastical proprtions and that is what tge Bokke giant is capable of when they select right and awaken from their slumber – unbeatable -think u guys v fortunate Bismarck is injured and Brussow not selected.
NZINChina – that was a fantasic Bok team – I think we even better this year and without thorne u slightly ripe for the picking – just need barnesey to ping his holiness (nope not fitzy, cheater mccaw – the greatest cheat of all time)
25 Aug 2012, 14:03 pm
@cab-345:
this Bokke vintage can beat any team anywhere
25 Aug 2012, 14:05 pm
Cheeky buggers – battle for 2nd/3rd yip it’s that same arrogance that saw the titanic go down and the Bokke is the Iceberg in waiting..
Gdam I don’t wanna be around when the ABs lose – they throw the toys right out tge tub – duckies and dan action figures and all – make grantie look veritably placid..
25 Aug 2012, 14:08 pm
@cab-345:
“that was a manhandling of fantastical proprtions”
you mean when you beat a team with the likes of Isaac Ross and Donald at 1st 5/8? with your full World champs side, while we had lost many regulars due to heading off overseas and through injury?
but again, it was soon reversed the following year, but I understand, at that stage it was 12 victories in almost 20 years of games, so I ubnderstand your euphoria..
2010 must have been deja vu all over again though huh? I did hear often how 2009 was the start of a new world dominance, but that thought soon petered out..
dont worry cab, we will always respect SA rugby, even if you are only the 3rd best team in the world..
25 Aug 2012, 14:09 pm
@cab-347:
cabbie Fred Allens/ Mallets 17 straight test wins gets taken out this year
25 Aug 2012, 14:09 pm
How sick are the nz cannibals? So there is a 1 minute silence for the marines who died somewhere in aghanistan …. So they show the peoples faces who passed away, and when they showed the face of one of the female marines…. They go and give a “sexy” whistle …real classy….
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