The Bledisloe Cup is wrapped up for another year with New Zealand claiming a 29-9 win in the second Test, making the third Test a dead rubber. Here are the talking points from Game 2.
More of the wash-up from Bledisloe 2:
» Match report
» LORD: Sack Cheika? No way
» What changes should the Wallabies make?
» DIY Player Ratings
» WATCH: Highlights from the match
The All Blacks are just too good
The New Zealand rugby side is perhaps the most dominant national team in the world right now. Following the international retirements of champions Dan Carter and Richie McCaw they have gone from strength to strength.
It seems who ever puts on the All Black jersey plays well. Beauden Barrett was superb at number 10, Dane Coles made a mockery of the Wallabies wingers, and seasoned campaigner Israel Dagg set the tone for a game with a double, with one of the tries making Quade Cooper look like a turnstile (ouch!).
Wallabies’ defensive issues
While the Wallabies put in a better effort than a week prior, the side still struggled. 27 missed tackles for the game compared to the All Blacks six, with the Wallabies having to make two less tackles for the game.
What’s going on with the lineout?
There were calls on social media that Stephen Moore’s time in the gold jersey were numbered. Again the lineout struggled for the Wallabies, they won eight on their own throw and lost three. To compare the All Blacks won 20 without losing one of their own.
Throw away the keys to the cabinet
14 years in a row the All Blacks have won the Bledisloe Cup, and it doesn’t look like they’ll be giving it up anytime soon.
Cheika coach of the year? Who were the judges?
The social media comment from Sonny Bill Williams who was obviously enjoying the game.
Are the Wallabies deflecting from the real issues?
Again much of the talk following the game has been about the referee. The ARU is set to make a formal complaint about French referee Romain Pointe. Michael Cheika suggested referees have predetermined ideas about his players and was left fuming after the game. In my eyes the referee didn’t change the result.
Eye gouge clouds the win
Allegations of an eye gouge from prop Owen Franks will overshadow the win for New Zealand. In the early stages of the game footage emerged on social media of Franks appearing to gouge the Wallabies lock Kane Douglas during a maul.
It is one the match review will certainly look at.
Wallabies powerless in attack
If there is one thing that is most evident in the last two Bledisloe matches it is that the Wallabies are impotent when they attack. The side has scored just one try to the All Blacks 10, their movement is predictable and the confidence is lacking.
On the flip side New Zealand have been enterprising and exciting.
Dianne F Stemp
Guest
what a cheek like everyone says cheika language on tv was disgraceful children watching ,,,but its ok for phipps to take boot of player and throw it away ,very funny whos laughing they act like spoilt brats ,cheicka and his cronies need to go
System of a Downey Jr
Roar Rookie
After reading many comments of yours Peter I realise why you love Cheika - you share a petulant, victim mentality with a complete absence of anything constructive or any introspection toward changing your losing ways.
taylorman
Guest
Yes amazing how that's been completely ignored here. Imagine if Aaron Smith threw Folaus boot into the crowd. There would be multiple articles of several hundred posts about the complete breakdown of All Black discipline respect etc etc. Just guessing...
Dianne F Stemp
Guest
what about phipps taking boot of all black then throwing it out hanson is a far better coach then cheika how on earth he got best coach amuse us and also his fowl language in box so your saying to everyone with your remarks this is ok what the
Dianne F Stemp
Guest
but cheika is world coach hmmm and what about foul language from coach clearly seen on tv ,oh dont forget boot throwing after taking off players foot ,phipps is a idiot
Dianne F Stemp
Guest
and the language in the box wow
Dianne F Stemp
Guest
is this how cheika is teaching wallabies to take boots of and throw them away ,what a pack of spoilt brats on that field
Dianne F Stemp
Guest
well we are all wondering how cheicka got coach of the year after all all blacks won two world cups back to back no aussie teams in finals and even cant beat all blacks ,,,,his language in box on saturday night was disgusting being that many children were watching game
kiwineil
Guest
Re the next captain .... its tricky I agree Maybe that's part of the problem. If folau was in the centres then perhaps. Agree he's the WB's best player, and comes across as a good guy. If the Wallabies go the full rebuild, he may be the only choice !!.
tamaolevao
Guest
Fair enough kiwi respect you're opinion ... Im deadly serious about folau being considered as the next wallaby captain. ...in his favour. .. - hes far removed from the reff being a fullback which automatically means reffs have to look for him for clarification which means there's a dialog without effort & and he will be heard. .. - hes the best player on the team ...in a team full of rookies and players trying to regain some form ...who do you think they are looking at in terms of peperation in the weight room , fitness , diet , game film ( yes folau the league player has been doing film since he was 17)....Stephen moore , quade cooper or Isreal folau??? ..i know who I'd be trying to imulate...its the same reason NZ rugby keeps sonny bill williams around he is the ultimate professional. .. - settled off the feild with maria..folau comes across as business now time to settle down..... - folau is carving out a career that mirrors one of my all time favorites tana Umaga. ...like tana he will end up in the centres if he keeps at the pace he is going becoming one of the greats. ..and like tana he will be a great leader for the wallabies he will bring respect back to the jerseys. .. What is there to loose??? And name me an alternative in the team now.. Genia- overseas AAC- overseas Cooper- overseas Foley- not assertive Phipps- too assertive rush of blood player Pocock- going on subatical Hooper - much like moore bad rep Fardy- not inspiring quiet Kepu- rush of blood player This is the senoir group probably the leadership group in the team im not even getting into the rest as they are all trying to find their feet........ I read alot of blame reff game on here but no thinking outside the box to get a different result ....
Peter
Guest
Does anyone else remember the NZ Herald crowing, before the WC final, that Saint Richie had made sure that the referee was "his good friend" because this would certainly affect his view of the final? No? You must be a Blick supporter. As to referees going easy on the Blicks: when the New Zealander Director of Referees Paddy O'Brien publicly destroyed Stu Dickinson's career because he dared to referee the sainted Blicks and especially McCaw in accordance with the laws, he sent a very clear message to all referees, and they have all taken notice.
RUserious
Roar Rookie
Maybe because he is no longer negotiating with rugby league clubs in Sydney - doesn't have to do the careful PR job in Australia anymore.
kiwineil
Guest
I think the OP deserves a bit better than that ! He's got some ideas, some radical and not all I agree with .. but - re QC - I thought he had a reasonable game. I'd stick with him, I do think hes matured, and think he offers something different which none of the others do ... - Folau for captain ?- not in my book. Im not sure he knows the rules !! And FB's rarely captain in the modern game, too far from the action - And I agree re the AB's not wanting to play a niggly game. No mileage for tehm in that In my opinion, Cheika wanted the niggle - his best hope was for an AB to get sent off for retaliation. Ironically, that nearly happened, And perhaps should of. 15 on 14 might have helped their cause .... My 2c
rebel
Guest
You are a lot better than that EJ, disappointing that you singled out one group as the standard has dropped across the board. We certainly have our share of Jokermen, however there are also the likes of Antoni, Xenidou, Dale, William Tell, Jacky Jacky, In Brief, ThugbyFan, Bakkies, connor33, Central Coast Bear and Sandbox. Please read some of their comments today and tell us with a straight face that it is a kiwi thing.
Buzzard
Guest
And Hooper Terry. No Lineout skill No Pilfering skill Missed 6 tackles Weak at cleaning out
Damo
Guest
I agree with him. He should of won the worst coach australia has ever had award.
WQ
Guest
Now that's gold Nobody :-)
WQ
Guest
Its all good eagleJack, I have wished I could take back a few of my posts over time. Passion is a powerful thing never to be underestimated and I reckon if a man can't get passionate about the Teams he supports well quite simply whats left? Look forward to the next organised Roar catch-up to have those couple of beers eagleJack, I too think we'd get on famously. Just before I go my Dad always used to tell me, 'you've got to watch those Kiwi's, they'll sneak in with the humans' :-)
Terry
Guest
When you have three 6"8 and two 6"6 blokes in the pack and you cant win a lineout ,you know you are scraping the barrel.. It was embarrsing to watch..Our horrnendous lineout was never Simmons problem.. Watch him come back in soon ( again) .Moore Mumm and Fardy are the problem...
Terry
Guest
No idea...How long did it take you to write that rubbish ?? ..3 hours??