The Wallabies’ first half last night, showed that the 2011 All Blacks are not invincible. They can be rattled and the Wallabies showed how.
The Wallabies played the All Blacks at their own game. They played an up-tempo game in both attack and defence.
The Wallabies made offensive tackles that drove the All Blacks back and closed down their space and time. Dan Carter, the best 10 in the game, made three errors in the first five minutes.
When the All Black errors came, the Wallabies struck hard and quickly. The initial fray saw Read injured and Thomson incapacitated. Vito replaced Read and Williams, a lock, replaced Thomson.
By half-time, it was 20-3, the same points difference has in Eden Park. The score reflected the game and the Wallabies were clearly the better team.
The possession began to even out in the second half as the All Blacks found some solace in a 26-phase passage of play. It was right out of the All Blacks’ playbook.
Before long, they evened up the scoreboard with a try to Nonu, which Carter converted.
But the All Blacks had nothing left for the final 20 minutes. The Wallabies struck back three minutes later, after a Genia break around a floundering Mealamu.
Ioane loomed up in support and then unselfishly passed to an unmarked Beale for the Wallabies’ third try.
Sport rarely provides clear-cut moments or outcomes. Tonight was not a clear-cut expose of the All Blacks’ tired legs.
It was evidence however, that they were hurried by the Wallabies initially, and after a brave comeback, ran out of that traditional resolve around the 65-minute mark.
Losing two starting backrowers did not help. But, the usual fluency was not apparent. They appeared disjointed for most of the game other than the period in which they played patient, possession-based, centre field rugby.
All the Wallabies played well. Rugby games are won by teams, all of whose players do their respective jobs.
My old favourite, AAC, regained his form and work ethic. Genia was irresistible. Cooper was clever as was Beale.
The Wallabies can still score tries with two workhorse centres.
Samo was a revelation in attack and defence. Elsom worked away. Horwill led from the front. Vickerman was brutal, although the line out was off-colour on occasions.
Graham Henry, in pronouncing that this game would not affect the Rugby World Cup, inadvertently, confirmed his concerns about the Wallabies’ competitiveness when the World Cup comes around.
This match mattered a lot to both teams. To the winner, came silverware and invaluable momentum leading into the Rugby World Cup. If only it could be played in Brisbane.
This was not the decisive win I wrote about in my previous article. But, it will have confirmed to the youngsters in the Wallabies and other teams that the best chance of beating this great All Blacks team is to take it to them.
As Corporal Jones of Dad’s Army said, “They don’t like the cold steel up ‘em!”
Other than start better, I am not sure what the All Blacks can do. Its not that they played poorly, the Wallabies didn’t let them play well, except for that 20-minute period after half-time.
The All Blacks can be beaten and if the opposition plays the right, up tempo game, I am not convinced that this All Blacks team can absorb it and bounce back to a win late in the game.
The All Blacks can be beaten and the Wallabies can beat them. The question is whether anyone will, when they have the home team advantage.
Graham Henry needs to find Sonny Bill Williams some lengthy game-time and a place on the bench. His X-factor was sorely needed in Brisbane.
Jimbo
Guest
Very harsh to compare Williams with Botha. Williams is an absolute pest yes, but I would put him more the mould of Justin Harrison. Botha is violent, wheras Williams just pushes the boundaries. The trip wasn't dangerous, just cheeky. Georgie Gregan was a master at the ol' trip. As a Wallaby supporter I can't dislike Ali Williams... he's a competitor, not a thug.
happychap
Roar Rookie
With good folk like you reminding them every few days Chuck, I'm fairly confident the Wallabies will somehow manage to remember that they are indeed playing the WC in NZ, and not Australia.
Bayboy
Guest
They should never have been in the situation where they had to try and defuse it Jerry that is the point here.
RucknRoll
Guest
Obviously not the same stuff you're smoking.... If you think Cooper had an immense game last night then either you're delusional, or the stuff you're smoking is some pretty strong stuff. As far as the rest of your post is concerned, it follows the same pattern. Prediction - England have the perfect blueprint to blunt Wallabies game plan - copy what ABs did in 2nd half last night for the whole game. i.e. 10 man rugby, something the English are experts at. Wallabies to lose semi......
ThelmaWrites
Guest
Hi Glenn! I envy you! I would have loved to have been at that game. It uaed to tug at my heart to see Tim Gavin keeping Gordon Bray (and co.) company at the RWC broadcasting sidelines. I'm sure he was wishing dearly that he was on the paddock with the Wallas. Unfortunately, I'm not in Australia at the moment, and I've had to get the fastest broadband to watch rugby where I'm at now.. Help, somebody upload that England match on youtube please!
Handles O'Love
Guest
I have no idea what some of you guys are smoking. Cooper was immense last night. Samo should have been MOTM. As far as the kiwis go, they were shell shocked. They were fired up and started hard, but when things didnt fall their way, they lost their cool. It took halftime to settle them. No analysis is complete without noting that it was incredibly wet underfoot, and that the ball was a cake of soap. This influenced the game dramatically. Lost lineouts, missed tackles, poor kicks. Thompson looked gone to me, and Read looked sore. Guildford looked totally, ridiculously outclassed. Exactly as he did at the same ground in the Super final. Home ground advantage is always important, but Chuck et al need to remember that home ground advantage disappears during the RWC. Ask England, France, and Australia, all of whom have lost home finals. Teams have the same prep, the same lead in, the same amount of time together, and the crowd is close to neutral. Can we win? Of course. Are NZ still favourite? Of course. Are we better placed than we were after Auckland? Bloody oath we are!
dc
Guest
excellent result from a New Zealander's perspective. We have had our shocker game - and that first half was the worst in a long time. it won't happen again this year. About seven AB's are now firmly in the spotlight from Henry and co, and they will be desperate to make amends. Vito, Dagg, Toeava, Cowan could start in some of the crucial RWC games. We have the France game to measure up, then Argentina, Boks...then the final...!!
skippy505
Guest
Last night is what is possible not what is probable in RWC. It's a tournament that always throws up surprises. I worry when there is all this talk about AB's v Wallabies final as if its automatic. It's certainly not. The game showed us that we can boss the AB's around for 40 mins and win. But there will be some very intense and very different games before that can even happen. NH teams have strong packs and they can boss both AB's and Wallabies around too on their day. Never underestimate anyone - Samoa and Eng 2007 taught us that...
Matthew Skellett
Guest
Absolutley right LFS, I was dreaming last night of being in the crowd behind JOC sitting on da bench during any particular RWC match and yelling (for the benefit of all my listeners) "aww your 'brand' has been put back on da shelf Mr O'Connor!!" and be blessed :-)
Rugby Diehard
Guest
PeterK - my thoughts exactly. I would love to see TPN and Palu on at half-timeb in the big games. Also loving the fact that people are coming around to having a rock-solid centre pairing surrounded by the glitz and glam of Genia, QC, Beale and JOC. I am 100% on having 2 centres and Digby, who know only one way, feeding off the magic hands of those 4.
Sandy B
Guest
Lefty - I think you missed the best quote from Jonesy in Dad's Army. I think that "Don't Panic, Don't Panic" would be more apt.
Bob
Guest
Thanks Matt, But you are so so wrong about my comments, I too do not like the commentators they are idiots and so are anyone listening to their jibberish. No, the ABs are always 'Offside', replay the discs and have another look. As for Richie McGaw, he is a cheat and a thug of the first order, take at look all his games and what he actually does. Why is it the refs never pick the ABs up on the 'offside' and of course, the windging McGaw. Is it because his mouth never stops complaining to the refs in every game he plays that they ignore the infringements. Bring on the better refs that actually do pick up from the side lines otherwise why bother having side line judges.
Raugeee
Guest
If he hadn't dropped Rocky as captain I would still be peed off with him. I feel his input to Aus Rugby as a whole has been just incredible. I wonder if it would be possible to get Link McKenzie as an assistant coach? Still, the Reds flavour is coming through now and kudos to Robbie for letting that occur.
PeterK
Guest
I expect them on the bench against Italy or even starting. Then starting against the minnows. By the time of the QF''s they should be match fit. Palu to take McCalman bench spot. Samo plays the house down gets tired and is replaced by another powerhouse in Palu.
Raugeee
Guest
Thanks Wal. i'll be quoting that law to Kiwi friends!
Matt in Norway
Guest
Thank you Phil Kearns-I mean Bob... Aussies need to stop listening to those two commentators and accepting what they say as gospel. Are those two the best Australia has got?
Raugeee
Guest
That is incredibly sweet reding Kiwi fans blame the ref......:-D. Barnes reffed really well, he even gave you a free 20mins in the first 20mins of the 2nd half. The clearly superior team on the night won. I know all the AB fans will be much happier when inept Rolland or Joubert come along and don't adjudicate according to the rules of the game.
Matt in Norway
Guest
I apologise for my insolence Warren, but it seems you are implying the wallaby scrum was on par with the AB's. I saw the wallaby scrum going backwards and being turned a bit yesterday, didn't see any parity there.Don't get me started on the line out. Solid game Australia, deserved victors.
Glenn Condell
Guest
Thelma I was at that Eng game before the Cup and caught it by chance on fox the other night. Yes it was a great performance - better than Cup form. One reason was a certain T Gavin who missed the Cup thru injury at no 8 and a Mr ofagengaue and Poidevin on his flanks. They fed a hungry Farr Jones who marshaled the whole thing expertly. Keep an eye on the guide. Theyve been showing lots of good old stuff as lead up to WC I guess.
clipper
Guest
Chuck, I would say that there was quite a large Kiwi contingent at Brisbane - around 20-30%. Agree with you and the ABs being unfocused in the first 40 though.