All Blacks run riot as Australia look back on basic errors

Australia vs. New Zealand
July 31, 2010
Docklands Stadium, Melbourne

HT: 14-32
FT: 28-49

Experience and cool heads ruled over the youthful enthusiasm of Australia as New Zealand ran a mockery in Melbourne, winning 28-49.

Australia were trying to build on a strong start against South Africa last week, but handed the opportunity for the All Blacks to continue their unbeaten streak in the 2010 Tri-Nations through lack of discipline and failure to perform the basics. Their opposition were clinical in their finishing and oozing confidence as they extend their streak of Bledisloe Cup wins to 14 in 16 attempts.

Drew Mitchell was sent off due to two questionable yellow cards issued by South African referee Craig Joubert just inside the second half which scuppered Australia’s chances, but embarrassing mistakes at the restart in particular is what coach Robbie Deans will be most worried about.

Australia started as they did last week by keeping the ball in hand, playing six phases in their own 22 before a glorious step from stand-in stand-off, Matt Giteau, left Richie McCaw behind, as he broke in the third minute and feed James O’Conner. The winger was held up by a scrambled All Black defence, but the pressure told as the hosts won a penalty which was converted by Giteau to put them in the lead.

Dan Carter instantly levelled from just inside the opposition half, before the next two phases of play resulted in 12-remarkable points. First, Carter was charged down by Mitchell who gathered beautifully to score the first try of the game. The All Blacks fly-half instantly rectified his mistake by charging down a Berrick Barnes clearance from the kick-off to run in and give his team an 8-10 lead after nine minutes.

The Kiwis’ brilliance in attack saw offloading from two of the front five – Thorn and Mealamu – before a beautifully weighted chip kick from Israel Dagg bounced up into Muliaina hands who ran in easily for his team’s second try of the match five minutes later.

A further penalty for Australia brought the scores to 11-15 as the All Blacks went down to 14-men when Owen Franks shoulder charged Richard Brown in the 22nd minute. But despite this, the visitors continued to attack with the vigour of the side with three extra men. Captain McCaw swooped onto a loose ball which popped out of the back of a ruck after mistakes from Australia’s kicking and line-out. Carter duly converted to open an 11-22 lead.

Things went from bad to worse, as Drew Mitchell was binned to even the numbers on the field, again for tackling without use of the arms – which perplexed a full Docklands Stadium.

A penalty each maintained New Zealand’s lead who lost Jimmy Cowan to injury, and was replaced by Piri Weepu, who some thought should have started the game, and who almost moved to France in the Spring because of fears his international career was over.

The All Blacks ensured their dominance and a try-bonus point going into the break as Cory Jane scored in the channel where Mitchell would have been defending, which was converted, leaving the Wallabies with an 18-point deficit.

The second half went from bad to worse for the Australians as Drew Mitchell was sent off after a second, harsh, yellow card from Joubert, for knocking the ball out of Smith’s hand who was trying to take a quick line-out after a smart kick forward by the All Blacks forced Adam Ashley-Cooper into touch ten meters from his own line.

Muliaina scored his second try of the game, as Rocky Elsom tried to restore some drive into his side but was met with a black wall and a television match official who ruled out a try David Pocock was adamant he had grounded.

Eventually Adam Ashley-Cooper broke through an attempted Smith tackle after collecting a poor pass from Giteau, who added the extras.

There was a glint in the eyes of the Australians that a comeback was on the cards, but New Zealand’s most capped winger, Joe Rokocoko, scored his 46th Test try, as he closes down on Doug Howlett’s record of 49, and restored the lead to 21-44.

Elsom scored a third try for Australia as New Zealand cruised in the last ten minutes of the game, with focus firmly on next week’s return fixture in Canterbury.

Giteau, who did well to cover for the suspended Quade Cooper, was replaced with minutes remaining by Anthony Faingaa, who made him and brother Saia, the third set of Australian twins to play Test match rugby together.

New Zealand top the Tri-Nations table with a maximum 15 points from their first three games and look set to claim another title, with Australia and South Africa both requiring a lot of soul searching if they are to stand any chance.

Australia
Tries - D. Mitchell, A Ashley-Cooper, R Elsom
Pen - M Giteau 3
Con - M Giteau 2
Cards - D Mitchell (yellow) 28th min, D Mitchell (2nd yellow -Red) 43rd min.

New Zealand
Tries - D Carter, M Muliaina 2, R McCaw, C Jane, J Rokocoko, C Flynn
Pen - D Carter 3
Con - D Carter 3
Cards - Owen Franks (yellow) 22nd min