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A four try second-half tirade by the All Blacks secured the Bledisloe Cup for the 13th time in a row. Their 30 year Eden Park hegemony over the Wallabies remains intact.
It was a fairy tale farewell for the senior All Blacks players who have played their last test match at home and scored many points.
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Dan Carter scored 16 points through kicks and delivered two try assists. Centre legend Ma’a Nonu scored two tries and delivered one try assist – to his departing partner Conrad Smith. Whilst All Black Captain Richie scored no points, he received a rousing standing ovation from the the Stadium.
The Wallabies were hot on attack for the first 20′ but were stoutly defended by the All Blacks in the first half. The Wallaby set piece was challenged as expected, in particular the lineouts which cost the Wallabies possession when they were camped in the AB half.
In the second half, the All Blacks deftly took advantage of over-commitment by the Wallabies breakdown. The ABs used their ‘whiplash’ attack to exploit missing numbers in the loose. Two tries in ten minutes whilst Quade Cooper was off, nailed the Wallabies fate. Another try after this penalty period was delivered against a tired Aussie outfit.
New Zealand 41 def. Australia 13
Welcome to the penultimate match of Southern Hemisphere Tests for 2015. Today, we forget the Rugby World Cup. For Australia and New Zealand, this is ultimate opportunity.
Follow us for live scores of the last Bledisloe Cup match of 2015, and feel free to join in the banter in the comments section below.
Since 1986, when Matt Giteau was three years old, three Australian states won multiple provincial championships, the Wallabies achieved number one status multiple times and raised the Bledisloe Cup several times.
During this time, the Wallabies won two World Cups, the first nation to do so. Despite these glories, the Wallabies have not won against New Zealand in Eden park. Today is their ‘Golden Opportunity’.
Wallabies – Change is the only constant
Michael Cheika is on a quest for Australia’s third gilded Webb Ellis Cup win, which starts in four weeks.
He is using these Tests to expand depth, identify the best players and combinations. Whilst other teams made conservative selections, the Wallabies have no choice but to try different players. So far, it’s yielding great success. Necessity is indeed the mother of invention.
So today, there are multiple changes again from last week’s Wallabies win. Change has worked for the Wallabies so far, as it did for the Pumas last week. The common theme is athleticism, agility that is backed by power. It seems no coincidence that all Wallabies opponents are ‘pooped’ by the 65th minute.
Whilst the ‘Pooper’ is not going to feature in the first stanza of the match, the Wallaby coach mentioned they will feature in the finish of the game.
All Blacks – Start like the end
We will witness the likely final New Zealand test match for many All Blacks including Dan Carter, Richie McCaw, Conrad Smith and Ma’a Nonu. I would like to extend a salute and thanks to them for their outstanding contribution to Rugby, not the least of which is the trailblazing standard they have set for others to follow.
But last week was a different story. The All Blacks fumbled and dropped around four scoring opportunities in the first 15 minutes. It started with spoiled kick-offs, dropping the pill at game start and not making ten metres when starting the second half.
In the last 15 minutes of last week’s match, the All Blacks were uncharacteristically tired, falling off and missing tackles whilst also slow to chase the ball. Whilst the lineout was very good, their scrum was exposed – reflecting the state of New Zealand Super Rugby scrum.
Today, the All Blacks is going to shore up these mistakes and weaknesses, irrespective of whatever pressure the Wallabies present. The alternative is unthinkable, as it would place New Zealand in the same soup the Springboks are in today.
O Fortuna: the weather
Speed typically features in Eden Park games. This is also the feature of both teams this year. But Mother Nature has other ideas.
This is most likely going to be a wet, cold affair and be foreboding for less fit, lumbering players. This may give the Wallabies an unprecedented advantage they have not had, in at least ten years of dry Eden Park Bledisloe matches. Or not.
Nigel Owens will be officiating in the rain, assisted by Australian favourite Wayne Barnes and Argentinian Federico Anselmi. South African Shaun Veldsman will decide all things requiring replays.
The bookies give the All Blacks a huge advantage for a big win, which I agree. Having said that, I called it wrong in all big matches. This includes Pumas vs Argentina, Wallabies vs All Blacks, South Africa vs New Zealand, Wallabies vs South Africa, Highlanders vs Hurricanes Super Rugby final, the Highlanders vs Waratahs semi-finals, and the Stormers vs Brumbies game before that!
Join us for live scores from around 5:35pm AEST, and join in the comment section below.
So, whatever the result, there will be some kind of drought to be broken. Good luck to both teams, and game on!
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.