The Wallabies have defeated the All Blacks in a gripping Tri Nations final at Suncorp Stadium 25 points to 20, breaking a ten year Tri Nations drought.
In James Horwill’s first Test as captain, the Wallabies went to the break leading 20 points to 3, after overwhelming an All Blacks side in the first half in front of a crowd of 51,858.
Tries in the first half went to Will Genia and Radike Samo, with Quade Cooper converting both and hitting two penalties.
But within 20 minutes of the second half, the All Blacks had scored 17 points and levelled the match 20 all.
After the break, Dan Carter hit a penalty, then shortly after Conrad Smith crossed the line for an easy try.
In the worst outcome possible, Ma’a Nonu scored again for the All Blacks six minutes later.
The successful conversion levelled the scores at 20 points all.
But with the game slipping from their hands, the Wallabies mustered the ball, Genia scooted past the referee Barnes, into a gap and offloaded to Digby Ioane, who then passed to Beale just before the line for a try.
A gripping but less expansive period unfolded with the Wallabies and All Blacks looking to reserves to get them over the line.
A last minute attack from the All Blacks was nullified after a pass was intercepted by the Wallabies. The forwards hung onto the ball before a penalty right on fulltime saw Australia defeat New Zealand and win the Tri Nations. The last time Australia held the trophie, Will Genia was a 13 year old boy.
Earlier in the first half, Radike Samo scored a memorable try by making one of season’s best breaks, which he finished with a sprint to the line. Samo’s speed was like a man running in a dream, but he somehow got his old legs over the line before the defence hit him.
Watch Samo’s try:
The Wallabies regain the Tri Nations title and go into the Rugby World Cup with form on the board. Amazingly, the All Blacks go into a home Rugby World Cup with two losses in a row and far from being favourites.
Relive the game as it unfolded on our live blog.
[livescoring id=”dom-RTN20110106″]
Watch video highlights of the match
Sonny
Guest
hahahahahaha Bill is home!!!
Sonny
Guest
I was not worried at all Sgt
Mike
Guest
Spot on Melon. Team, team, team. So sweet to watch.
Kev
Guest
Genia and Samo stand out performers. All Blacks choking again when it maters the most. Now they have even more public and personal pressure on them which doubles their chances of choking once again when it comes down to the crunch during the world cup. And what the hell was Carter doing, kicking the ball back to the Aussies when we had possession just outside the 22, with 2mins left on the clock! Professionals? professional chokers more like it...
Sage
Guest
2 nods
PeterK
Guest
I thought Cooper had a very good game, totally outplayed Carter. However I was disapointed when Nonu scored his very good try that Cooper made no attempt to tackle him. I wished I had other angles because it may have been that he was not close enough to be a chance , but on the angle provided he could of just got to him.
Jerry
Guest
He's got that move down, doesn't he?
Jerry
Guest
They'd have had to not read the boards at all, considering how often it was trotted out.
AdamS
Guest
Was it just me or did Cooper just stand there holding the gate open for Nonus try?
johnny-boy
Guest
Perhaps it's not a coincidence re Giteau FOK - or perhaps thats your too cryptic for me point ?
MR
Guest
Great game well done Wallabies, as AB supporter it was infuriating to be outplayed in every aspect of game in first half though good to see AB change plans at half time and adjust to suit ref and WB tactics. Any kiwi who says the losses in last two game do not matter are dreaming, it will give WB & SB confidence & put doubt in mind of AB particularly after S15 (where both Auckland & Canterbury were shut out) & record of failing in big RWC matches. Re ref: I am always disappointed when supporters blame a ref for loss, the reality is every ref has a slightly different take on game and players need to adjust to that. I thought Wayne Barnes had OK game as was consistent and allowed competition at breakdown (unlike ref in Ireland England game), his style does not suit ABs as well as SA refs but WB stood up so no excuses ABs Looking forward, France, England, Wales and other teams have seen how to beat AB upfront. Guilford has not made step up to test rugby & AB back line looked pretty average when AB pack shutdown. Smith, Nonu and Jane played well with limited ball and second half showed how ABs and most teams will adopt in knockout stages (which will suit England & SA)
League_Coach101
Guest
I'm just saying it's unfortunate that two of the three teams in the Tri-Nations this year didn't take it seriously. Possibly the Wallabies were going to employ the same tactic - but after being smashed by Samoa in their first test of the season they had no choice but to put their BEST team on the paddock each week. It certainly is a great morale boost to the Wallabies - that's for sure. As for the All Blacks - losing is probably the best motivation they could get leading into the World Cup. It's interesting how the NZ Media is treating this like the sky is falling... a little over reaction perhaps. On a side note - it's interesting to note that each previous WORLD CUP YEAR the winner of the Tri-Nations has not even made the World Cup Final. In 1999, 2003 and 2007 the ALL BLACKS won the tri-nations and then went on to choke the world cup. Maybe THAT'S what Graham Henry had in mind...
Mungehead
Guest
Can't blame Wayne Barnes for that one. Good second half fight back, exciting game. Genia was fantastic, also surely Samo has cemented his starting place. Can we get our money back on Guildford? Going to read what the rest of you said now.
mikeylives
Guest
mikeylives
Guest
A comment that may have been lost on people that don't read the threads daily.
katzilla
Roar Guru
Not to mention the try saving tackle on McCabe
Snobby Deans
Guest
Cicero - good point. The reality is that if the Wallabies don't win the RWC, then the Tri-Nations will really be nothing more than a consolation prize. Don't get me wrong, I'd still have loved the All Blacks to have won it, but that seems to be the prevaling thinking. You only have to look at the fact that the Wallabies played their best team each week whereas the other teams played second string teams (Sth Africa twice, All Blacks once). The same thing happened with Sth Africa in '07 and will in all likelihood happen again in '15 unless SANZAR grow a pair - but it's in the record books. The Tri-Nations is no more (four nations next year), and finishes with NZ 10, Sth Africa and Aussie 3 each. At least the win allowed the Wallabies not to have claimed the Wooden Spoon in that regard.
sheek
Guest
Frank, Yes, 1991 is a classic example of a win providing false comfort for the ABs prior to the WC. Ditto 2003. The Wallas were cocky when they had no right to be in Auckland recently. It would be fatal if the team thought they didn't need to find any extra improvement. Despite the many good things the Wallabies did, there were also some disturbing aspects for the Wallabies: 1. Samo's try came when Samo himself busted Thompson's tackle, whose left arm was injured. An enormously lucky advantage to the Wallas. 2. The lineout, usually good, was wonky. 3. The way the ABs strangled the Wallas for the first 20-25 minutes almost at will in the second half, was disturbing, to say the least. They also monstered our scrum, when the intent was there. But on the surface, it's all good.....
Snobby Deans
Guest
Tuapou - So part of the reason SBW should partner Nonu is because he's Samoan? I wonder what the reaction would be if someone said lets put another white player in to replace Nonu because Smith is white? Not sure I really see how his race should affect his selection in any way.
p.Tah
Guest
I thought the same Frank.