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The Wallabies’ Eden Park hoodoo will extend into a 24th year after the Australians wilted under a second-half onslaught from the All Blacks to go down 22-16 in their Bledisloe Cup opener.
Australia could not replicate an impressive first-half attacking performance in a tense tactical battle that finished at one try apiece on Saturday night.
New Zealand five-eighth Stephen Donald booted four second-half penalty goals to ram home the All Blacks’ territorial advantage as the Wallabies struggled under pressure at the breakdown and at scrum-time.
The Australians had led 13-10 after a bright first half in which centre Berrick Barnes scored in just the fourth minute before All Blacks captain Richie McCaw countered in the 26th.
Australia have not won at Eden Park since a 22-9 victory in 1986 and have not won in New Zealand since 2001.
“I thought we built a lot of pressure, created a lot of opportunities, didn’t come out of it as well as we would have liked in terms of turning that into points which kept the All Blacks close and allowed them to … grind it out,” bitterly disappointed Wallabies coach Robbie Deans said.
“There was some good play from our lads, we’re much better than this time a year ago but still frustrated to be short.
“We’ll just keep going and it’s a habit I guess we’ve go to acquire, but it’s coming.”
The Wallabies had got off to the best possible start when Barnes sliced through to score in just the fourth minute after good work from Giteau swooping on a loose ball.
Giteau’s conversion and a 10th-minute penalty goal extended Australia’s lead to 10-0 before Donald got his side on the board with a 15th-minute penalty.
The Wallabies should have gone further ahead but absolutely butchered a try when they had the Kiwis’ defence cut to shreds in the 18th minute.
Unfortunately it was Test centurion George Smith who dropped the ball with the line wide open, although Barnes probably should have passed to Stirling Mortlock a moment earlier.
“If I had my time again I would have passed it, but you don’t get that,” Barnes said.
Running with a helpful breeze, Australia would have been disappointed with their slender lead and the New Zealanders were back on level terms just a minute after the break through a Donald penalty goal.
The No.10 put them ahead for the first time in the match three minutes later before Giteau got the Wallabies back on level terms with a penalty of his own in the 46th minute.
But the momentum swung the New Zealanders’ way and they reclaimed the lead 19-16 with a 61st-minute penalty goal to Donald after a Giteau clearance had been charged down in the danger zone.
Giteau had the chance to draw level again but hooked a 64th-minute penalty shot from 30m out to the left and Donald booted another three-pointer in the 75th minute.
Deans expressed his frustration at several scrum penalties against tight-head Al Baxter, who he said had “good reason” to be upset with the refereeing.
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.