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The Bledisloe Cup is wrapped up for another year with New Zealand claiming a 29-9 win in the second Test, making the third Test a dead rubber. Here are the talking points from Game 2.
More of the wash-up from Bledisloe 2:
» Match report
» LORD: Sack Cheika? No way
» What changes should the Wallabies make?
» DIY Player Ratings
» WATCH: Highlights from the match
The All Blacks are just too good
The New Zealand rugby side is perhaps the most dominant national team in the world right now. Following the international retirements of champions Dan Carter and Richie McCaw they have gone from strength to strength.
It seems who ever puts on the All Black jersey plays well. Beauden Barrett was superb at number 10, Dane Coles made a mockery of the Wallabies wingers, and seasoned campaigner Israel Dagg set the tone for a game with a double, with one of the tries making Quade Cooper look like a turnstile (ouch!).
Wallabies’ defensive issues
While the Wallabies put in a better effort than a week prior, the side still struggled. 27 missed tackles for the game compared to the All Blacks six, with the Wallabies having to make two less tackles for the game.
What’s going on with the lineout?
There were calls on social media that Stephen Moore’s time in the gold jersey were numbered. Again the lineout struggled for the Wallabies, they won eight on their own throw and lost three. To compare the All Blacks won 20 without losing one of their own.
Throw away the keys to the cabinet
14 years in a row the All Blacks have won the Bledisloe Cup, and it doesn’t look like they’ll be giving it up anytime soon.
Cheika coach of the year? Who were the judges?
The social media comment from Sonny Bill Williams who was obviously enjoying the game.
Chieka 2015 coach of the year. Who were the judges? Please!!
— Sonny Bill Williams (@SonnyBWilliams) August 27, 2016
Are the Wallabies deflecting from the real issues?
Again much of the talk following the game has been about the referee. The ARU is set to make a formal complaint about French referee Romain Pointe. Michael Cheika suggested referees have predetermined ideas about his players and was left fuming after the game. In my eyes the referee didn’t change the result.
Eye gouge clouds the win
Allegations of an eye gouge from prop Owen Franks will overshadow the win for New Zealand. In the early stages of the game footage emerged on social media of Franks appearing to gouge the Wallabies lock Kane Douglas during a maul.
It is one the match review will certainly look at.
Wallabies powerless in attack
If there is one thing that is most evident in the last two Bledisloe matches it is that the Wallabies are impotent when they attack. The side has scored just one try to the All Blacks 10, their movement is predictable and the confidence is lacking.
On the flip side New Zealand have been enterprising and exciting.
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.