The All Blacks have broken Wallabies’ hearts with a last-gasp 29-28 win at Suncorp Stadium to rub salt into the wounds of their most tumultuous fortnight in the professional era.
After leading by 10 points with 11 minutes remaining, Australia conceded two tries as the world champions were able to get out of jail in a Bledisloe classic.
New Zealand centre Malakai Fekitoa crossed out wide with two seconds left and then Colin Slade kicked the angled conversion to complete a stunning comeback.
For all but the last minute of the match, it looked as though the Wallabies would produce their best win of Ewen McKenzie’s 15-month tenure – when it was most needed.
It was a performance that restored pride in the gold jersey but the result left all Wallabies and the Australians in the 45,186-strong Brisbane crowd gutted.
The effort and attacking strategy imposed suggested McKenzie’s coaching job will be safe at least for the coming five-match Spring Tour of Europe.
Popular vice-captain Adam Ashley-Cooper crossed for Australia’s third try in his 100th Test to give a 22-12 lead just after halftime but he didn’t walk away with the victory he deserved.
While fatigue was a major factor for the gallant Wallabies, as they played the game on the front foot and ran the ball from side to side, the telling period was midway through the second half when they failed to capitalise on a one-man advantage.
Patrick Tuipulotu was sin-binned for taking out Rob Simmons in the air but a series of missed opportunities in the All Blacks’ 22 was punished when Aaron Smith dived over, just as the reserve lock was due to return.
Smith’s try gave New Zealand the momentum for the first time in the match but Australia looked home when Nic White landed a 45m penalty for a 28-22 lead.
After the turmoil of the Kurtley Beale texting scandal, an Australian victory would have been a sorely needed morale booster but they must satisfy themselves in knowing they delivered a performance to restore some pride in the gold jersey.
The Wallabies produced their best first half of the season in a crackerjack opening in which both sides crossed twice.
They hit the advantage line hard and won collisions with man-of-the-match Tevita Kuridrani and Sekope Kepu leading the way with strong ball carries that dented the All Blacks’ defence.
With recalled centre Christian Leali’ifano producing crucial plays in defence and attack, it was the hosts who scored the first try when Nick Phipps converted concerted pressure by diving over from the ruck-base.
Each time the Wallabies put themselves in front in the helter-skelter first half, the All Blacks bounced back immediately with skilful tries to Cory Jane and Dane Coles.
Phantom
Roar Rookie
I didn't notice him at all.
44bottles
Roar Guru
Which game, this one or world cup. It's all subjective
Phantom
Roar Rookie
He had a bad game. EOS
Phantom
Roar Rookie
Pathetic
PHIL
Guest
Can anyone tell me if Folau was on the field when the All Blacks scored their winning try? Seriously? Have a look at Folau's effectiveness as a fullback in defence in each of the All Blacks tries. He is consistently out of position or jogging or no where to be seen. Did McKenzie tell him to stand on one side and not move in defence? Is it too much to ask for a try saving tackle every once in a while from our fullback?
Old Bugger
Guest
Slipper was penalised for hinging where the head & shoulders are lower than the hips at scrum set. The H&S must be above the hips at that precise moment otherwise an inevitable collapse would occur - my guess is Franks knew that and played his part to secure a penalty. Slipper knows it also and just needs to prepare for the set call with more smartness.
Old Bugger
Guest
Mala is young and has good pace hence my first instinct is OC for him - when the pace starts to drag, then move inside to IC. Plenty of time to look at that spot....later on.
Sorted
Guest
You will very rarely get all your first choice players ion the paddock.
Sorted
Guest
I agree - Repeated infringements result in a yellow card. Which is why he stayed on the field. He was only penalised twice.
44bottles
Roar Guru
I'd prefer Fekitoa at 12 and Crotty at 13. I think that could turn into the Nonu-Smith combo v2.
44bottles
Roar Guru
"Yeah, because one of the best referees in the world doesn't know the rules" That's what I told people after the World Cup Final, but I got told I was wrong. So which is it Zero Gain?
Colin Fenwick
Guest
Regardless, he comes across as petulant and immature.
Phantom
Roar Rookie
Only fair as so many wearing the yellow jersey qualify for NZ
Phantom
Roar Rookie
Dagg is reserve material now.
Phantom
Roar Rookie
Still illegal. Joubert is lax on those things in the aim of a quick game. Regrettably he only penalised one team.
Phantom
Roar Rookie
Not at all. My namesake is right about most things. He talks like an experienced ref.
Old Bugger
Guest
Fair call about Feks but I'd rather see Shag move him back to OC and let Crotty/SBW challenge for IC on tour (assuming they get picked or don't injure themselves - hate saying that). Anyone know the oil on DC - will he make the tour?? How's his injury??
Old Bugger
Guest
OJ I'm gonna make a bold prediction and suggest that the ABs will not change tactics in the EOYT or in next years RC comp either - they will simply allow the rest of the rugby fraternity to play against what has already been played to date - we may see a tactic change when the AB/WBs play the last 2 BC games next year but not in the EOYT. The main game in the tour is against England....and I'm predicting a battle royale in that match. Lastly, I agree this is not Shag's best team and we will definitely see some changes on tour. My biggest surprise on Sat nite - Piutau getting run down by CLL....I think Charlie thought he had him but CLL had other ideas.
Old Bugger
Guest
Neil Absolutely agree. It was frustrating at times in the stand when you see players being taken out and Joubert not raising the matter at all....I agree with WQ - the ABs should have dealt with it themselves by reciprocating in like to see if CJ would penalise them but they didn't reciprocate so CJ carried on with his calls. However, having said that, I was impressed by the WBs approach at the rucks and it was obvious to me that a lot of time was probably spent watching the SBs game in J'burg and deciding to attack the rucks like Thor & Co did in that game. The ABs IMO stood back and didn't commit perhaps waiting for an error to capitalise upon which happened on a couple of occasions but the WB defence stood its line and the AB counter attack seemed not to materialise or the ball carrier became isolated and was either turned over or penalised by CJ. With 2mins to go, it looked like my prediction of a banana skin upset would happen especially after Slade missed his touch finder...Cane missed the pass and the WBs regathering only for White to box-kick into touch to give the ABs one last crack....thankfully, they did and the rest is hiss. Lastly, my other pet bug-bear also got me a bit frustrated but at least he tried a couple of things. Barrett did mix it up and challenge the line but each time he did, he took the ball into the tackle rather than look for a pass or off-load. Also, he did commit to a couple of tackles and that's where he got his injury. But best of all was his missed conversion on the Coles try and what may/could've happened if Slade missed his last-gasp conversion and the ABs go down by a point instead of winning by a point. That Coles conversion would've been the difference. I will reiterate my position - unfortunately for BB but I see him more as a devastating super sub rather than a starting FH. I did a moan at Shag & Co when the ABs were down by 7pts and they swap Whitelock - gee's PT was one lucky bloke cos he comes on at the next scrum, the WBs shunt the ABs and draw the subsequent penalty, kick the goal and from the immediate kick-off, PT gets yellow carded all in the space of 3-4mins. That is not the auspicious start that any young fella wants especially when your team is chasing the score. As becoming the norm, the ABs seem to grow in stature when they are a man down and either hold the opposition to no score or they score themselves...which is what Aaza Smith did with his quick restart and try. It certainly lifted the stand area where we were sitting and gave hope of a chance. Yes, the ABs pinched that win against the run of play in terms of the statistics but that is not uncommon. It is par for the course IMO, that the ABs will lose everywhere but the final score and Saturday night was no different...congrats to the WBs for the manner in which they played considering all that has happened, off the paddock, over the past couple of weeks. To all WB supporters, I'm sure you'd be very proud of that effort from your side even if its not a total positive outcome - it was a magnificent effort and all through the walk up Caxton St back into the city, there wasn't that much congrats from ABs supporters because there was IMO, a gracious appreciation of how much effort the WB side brought to this game and the last gasp effort for my own side to pinch it. It was a thriller indeed that allowed me and my wife to go from despair to joy in a matter of seconds and of course elation after the conversion, that was tempered with instant humbleness after realising how the many WB supporters around us, were immediately feeling. What a game....thank you Brisbane and its inhabitants for a wonderful weekend - we will not hesitate to return for the next BC game.
Colin Fenwick
Guest
To be fair, I'm sure most Kiwi's are embarrassed by the comments from the likes of Ben and Neil.