Australia have ensure the Bledisloe Cup in 2015 will have a decider at Eden Park, with the Wallabies defeating the All Blacks 27-19 at ANZ Stadium in Sydney.
In a tough, attritional first half, neither side really gained the ascendency, or any fluency.
Both sides would have gone into the sheds at half time thinking they left plenty of points out there.
The score was 6-3 to New Zealand, but both Australia and the All Blacks had threatening attacking raids in their opposition’s half.
RELIVE THE ACTION FROM BLEDISLOE 1 WITH THE ROAR’S LIVE BLOG
Australia will feel they should have scored after Israel Folau opened up the All Blacks close to their line. It all came to nothing, however, with a knock on crushing any chance of a try.
Similarly, New Zealand finished the first half with a great attacking opportunity, but couldn’t make it count on the scoreboard.
Sekope Kepu scored the first try of the match, crashing over early in the second half after some promising build-up play. With Aaron Smith in the sin bin, Kepu put on some footwork to get through a gap and score under the sticks.
Debutant Nehe Milner-Skudder managed to respond for the All Blacks after Ben Smith created a try from what seemed like a well-marked play. Smith managed to somehow find a way through, making Australia pay almost immediately after they lost Nick Phipps to some ill-discipline following a quick tap.
Dan Carter’s missed conversion meant the All Blacks led 14-10 with 25 minutes to play.
A stunning try to Adam Ashley-Cooper had the Wallabies in front five minutes later, after a precision grubber from Matt Toomua found his winger steaming onto it.
This had the Wallabies leading by three with 20 minutes to play.
After a dour first half, the game had well and truly come alive when Milner-Skudder was adjudged to have gone in for his second try in the right hand corner, with a well-worked scrum move catching the Wallabies off guard.
With 15 minutes remaining, there was plenty of life left in both teams with New Zealand ahead by two points.
A long-range penalty saw Australia take the lead by a point, and around the 70-minute mark was their time to capitalise.
A long, well-constructed set of phases saw the Wallabies come away with seven crucial points courtesy of a try and conversion to replacement half Nic White.
All the Wallabies had to do was hold out the All Blacks final charge, which they managed, and the game was theirs, 27-19.
It was a thrilling second half, making up for a slow and steady first half.
The win means Australia win the Rugby Championship in a World Cup year again, and the Bledisloe Cup comes down to one game on New Zealand soil.
New Zealand will worry about the strength of the Wallabies’ finishing, while Wallabies coach Michael Cheika will be delighted with the contribution of his replacements, as well as the breakdown and general play work of David Pocock and Michael Hooper.
What did you make of the game Roarers?
Boosho
Guest
Sorry Mike but put these three behind a half decent pack and they're like Roast Pork, Blue Cheese and Apple Sauce, they just work!
RobbieDolts
Guest
Completely agree with Redsback and IronAwe re Gits. Can't underestimate how much of an impact having a solid inside back like Gits has on the rest of the back line. Both in leadership and just being reliable in offense and defense. Love that he and Mitchell got the call up. Especially Gits, but both players, have a lot of variety in their options and are invaluable to the team. When compared to the "x-factor" players like Beale and cooper, no one should have to argue who starts. The value of the Beales and coopers lies in late minutes impact, not in 80 minutes of rugby.
Coconut
Guest
I wonder about bringing Cane in to 7 and moving McCaw to no. 6?
Ralph
Guest
Congratulations to the Wallabies.
jaysper
Roar Guru
Neither team played terribly well IMO, but the AB's certainly worked hard for and deserved their loss. The ABs fumbled, kicked away possession and were totally outclassed at the break down. I don't think this performance reflects at all how the ABs will perform at the World Cup, but it was still a shocker. $BW was crap and I wish the ABs would stop inviting him back to the party. Its also time that the ABs management realise that DC is no longer the world beater that he clearly once was.
PeterK
Roar Guru
Mike As a referee I know 100% it is easy for experienced referees to pick boring in as long as it is on the side they are on.
frank the tank
Guest
With Pirate on higginbotham here. He got 45 minutes vs SA and wasn't to bad but didn't get a chance to show his stuff which is understandable in a tight first up armwrestle. yet others keep getting chance after chance, game after game and we're not just talking simple errors but some monumental clangers.
Johnny J-Dog
Guest
The ABs must have been spewing when Phipps went to the bin.
Jerry
Guest
When did that actually happen last night, though? I don't remember anything like that.
Rugby Tragic
Guest
Yep, TM the NZ selectors must be selecting him on reputation only.... 140 times. I do not think he is the best No 7 going around for a couple of years but always solid and dependable. I think the premier No 7 in world rugby at the moment is Pocock followed by Sam Cane (that is my opinion anyhow). DC is a bit of concern for me, not on the injury front but form and confidence. He had a shocker last night yet I think he has still that touch of class hidden away somewhere ... where is it???
PiratesRugby
Guest
Yep. He did a great job. Full 80 minutes too. But Skelton, Beale and the halves... oh dear.
PeterK
Roar Guru
never claimed Wallabies are innocent, I was just adding to the list that others started. Folau is targeted in the air, there is no chance to catch it so they run under his legs or hit his legs whilst in the air.
PeterK
Roar Guru
No I do not put him down every match. His performances are over rated by Kiwis though, like Nick, thinking he outplayed Pocock and Hooper , that he was immense. It is not putting him down when I say he has played 3 good tests in a row. What offends is I feel others have played better, why is that putting him down?
Jerry
Guest
At the time I thought to myself that if Barnes had really wanted to punish the Wallabies he'd have left Phipps on.
StuMac
Guest
Yes Ronaldo, too right, shouldn't overlook Mario Ledesma the Argentine scrum doctor, what a good job he's doing with the Wallaby pack, that is getting better each game. Next, sort out the lineout with some more solid tactical calls & variations with Hooper & Pocock on the field together and the set piece will be 'good to go'.
The Electronic Swagman
Guest
I agree. I thought he handled the Barnes vey well .. others thought he overplayed his hand but I think it was as much as anything designed to stop McCaw dominating.
Mike
Guest
No actually it isn't, because it's not simple to call the point where a player or pack twists in violation of the laws. It's a matter of interpretation whether props have chosen to angle in or that their opposing front row has given way. Always room for argument. Hence it is first of all up to our pack to stop it.
Jerry
Guest
The Wobs had more than their share of cynical stuff too last night, I noticed. There was one clear out that ended up at least 5-6m past the ruck or when Giteau tackled NMS near the line and immediately reaches out to prevent the ball being placed. I don't think either team could claim to be lily white last night. I disagree about the 'fake attempts' regarding Folau though, I only saw a few legitimate contests. Just cause Folau can jump higher doesn't mean the AB's have to just let him go up unopposed.
Jerry
Guest
Barnes put his arm up for the pen but didn't actually move towards the ruck where the offence happened. He probably would have but Smith took the tap pretty quick. I don't think there's any issue regarding where he took it, to be honest. If you were to apply the laws rigidly, you could make an argument for a PT there, especially as the other tackler (Moore) didn't retire either and the only other guy there was AAC who was also offside. But I can understand why they don't award PT's in that situation. This Smith thing is ridiculous, we need some new names.
Jerry
Guest
I don't think a tackle from an offside position that prevents a possible try is a minor infringement. And Phipps was just stupid especially as Barnes warned him after the first one.