New Zealand 30-17 Australia
New Zealand maintained their brilliant record at Eden Park and produced a brilliantly clinical display to see off Australia and retain the Bledisloe Cup.
Australia started the game in confident fashion moving the ball well and making inroads into the All Black defence, but it was the home side who registered the first points of the game through a Dan Carter penalty. Four minutes later New Zealand scored the first try of the game, scrum-half Piri Weepu made a darting break and kept the ball alive, the ball was spread wide and winger Sitiveni Sivivatu was stopped just a couple of metres short. But bulldozing centre Ma'a Nonu picked up from the back of the ruck and scored in the corner, Carter's fantastic touchline conversion made it 10-0.
The Kiwi's were starting to tear the Australian defence to pieces from all areas of the field, and they blew several scoring chances that could have put the game out of sight. But to their credit the Wallabies got themselves back into the game, some big carries by James Horwill and Stephen Moore got the visitors over the advantage line; only some good defence by Carter prevented Rocky Elsom scoring in the corner.
The Wallabies were beginning to dominate possession and territory, a brilliant cross-kick from Quade Cooper beat Sivivatu in the air but Digby Ioane couldn't reach it. The Australians were made to pay for their poor execution on the 26 minute mark, a poor kick by Cooper allowed the All Blacks to regain possession and after a period of heavy pressure hooker Kevin Mealamu crashed over from close range. Carter was once again on target and extended the lead to 17-0.
James O'Connor then had two opportunities to close the gap but the usually reliable winger was off target, so despite having 59% possession the Wallabies had nothing to show for their efforts at the break.
Straight after the break O'Connor had another chance to register Australia's first penalty but once again he dragged the ball way wide of the posts. But down the other end Carter showed his class, slotting only his third drop-goal in Test rugby to extend the lead to 20 points.
The All Black defence was outstanding, whenever the Australians got the ball they were forced to go wide rather than straight, and it took a piece of individual brilliance to break the black wall. Good work by Will Genia and Kurtley Beale sent Ioane flying into space, the Reds winger then displayed great footwork to leave Mils Muliaina for dead a scored a superb individual try. Cooper took over the kicking duties and slotted the conversion, the score now 20-7.
But straight from the restart New Zealand got a huge slice of luck and put the game to bed, number eight Kieran Read seemed to knock the ball on from Carter's kick-off but referee Craig Joubert missed it. The ball then fell to Conrad Smith who went speeding down the line, the centre then threw the ball inside and Sivivatu crossed the line for New Zealand's third try. Carter was once again on target from the touchline and made the score 27-7. The world's best fly-half maintained his 100% record with the boot 13 minutes before the break with another simple penalty kick, which put the game well beyond reach for Robbie Deans men.
Quade Cooper looked a shadow of the player that had run riot in the Super 15 and everything he tried didn't work, his poor performance seemed to filter through the Australian's who's confidence had been worn down by the All Blacks.
The Wallabies did get a consolation effort three minutes before full-time, captain Rocky Elsom crossed in the line after a brilliant pass by Cooper was flicked on by Pat McCabe and sent the flanker in the corner. Cooper added the conversion to give the score line some respectability.
New Zealand showed a clinical and ruthless side to their game that they need come World Cup time, despite having less than 50% of the ball the scored three tries and their defence dominated the game. Australia will be disappointed with their execution, they had chances to win the game and the three missed penalties really killed their chances.
Man of the Match
Dan Carter
