Blacks smash woeful Wallabies
19 Sep 2009
New Zealand finished their Tri-Nations campaign with a 33-6 victory over an errant Australia in Wellington.
Don’t let the emphatic scoreline fool you into thinking this was a polished performance by the hosts. It wasn’t, and up until the 71st minute, they were still in danger of losing this match.
A hybrid of defensive solidity and the Wallabies’ attacking ineptitude and propensity for basic errors ensured they didn’t, but those who look at the scoreline and suggest that this Blacks side have turned the corner are grossly premature in their prediction.
This was supposed to be a spectacle between teams who have bitched at length about the Springboks’ conservative style of play. They were meant to school those boring Boks in beautiful rugby. The artists were exhibiting, now watch you pragmatic scientists from the Republic.
But if what was on show on this occasion is treasured in Australasia, and if this is what’s considered beautiful rugby, then they are wonderfully deluded.
Last week, the Springboks scored 32 points with their low-risk approach. This week the Blacks scored 33 through four penalties and three tries: one of which came from the pressure of a kick-chase not dissimilar to the manner in which the Springboks have downed their opponents; one that was allowed through diabolical defence; and one that came in the final minutes of the Test when the Wallabies had already mentally boarded the plane home.
The All Blacks were never expected to follow a kick pattern, and they didn’t disappoint, showing their hand when they played with plenty of width from the kick-off. However, width didn’t equal penetration, as the Wallabies stood strong at the tackle point and this compromised the Blacks’ ability to recycle quickly – which was crucial to the style of rugby they were attempting to play.
It didn’t aid their cause that their early attacks often crept laterally. In addition, their game breakers – the likes of Dan Carter, Ma’a Nonu and Isaia Toeava – failed to make any telling contribution for the majority of the contest mostly because they were forced to attack from well behind the gain line.
The Wallabies were even worse, even though their attacking opportunities were limited. They made fundamental handling errors after good build-up play, and failed to capitalise on a numbers advantage when Toeava was sin-binned late in the first half.
In fact, they never looked like crossing the whitewash at any stage of the Test, and the fact that they were just 10 points adrift at half-time (16-6) had everything to do with the Blacks’ attacking impotency.
Wallabies flyhalf Matt Giteau opened the scoring with a penalty, but Carter kicked three thereafter, punishing ill-discipline to take his side six points ahead.
Berrick Barnes reduced that deficit with a drop-goal and Australia would have been expecting to add to their tally when Toeava was adjudged to have hit James O’Connor high in a tackle and binned.
However, it would be the Blacks who struck the decisive blow. Mils Muliaina launched a bomb and O’Connor, who was having his worst Test in a Wallabies jumper, failed to contest the ball. Winger Cory Jane soared high, collected and sprinted clear.
It was ironic that they would score in this manner after their brutal criticism of the Springboks’ kick-chase tactics. Carter added the extras to establish a comfortable lead, one which they maintained until the break.
O’Connor’s nightmare continued after the restart when he was isolated attempting to run the ball clear from deep inside his 22m and conceded a penalty which Carter banked. At 19-6 it was the Blacks’ game to lose, especially since the Wallabies were becoming progressively more rudderless in their attacks.
Wallabies coach Robbie Deans had to get the directive to his charges to attempt to replicate the territory-based approach that proved so successful for the Springboks against the Blacks – kicking in behind their back three, then pressurising them with the chase or at the lineout, where the Blacks have consistently been vulnerable. But they just couldn’t.
That was partly due to the Blacks showing a greater appreciation for the percentages than they had in the first half, and to their poor execution when they did have possession.
The Wallabies, in search of the try that would drag them back into the contest, only crafted their first threatening opportunity in the 70th minute, and then coughed up possession at the breakdown for the umpteenth time in the match.
Nonu sealed the result shortly thereafter when he broke a number of feeble tackles. Joe Rokocoko rounded off a flowing move in the final minute of play to create the illusion of excellence. It has to be stressed that it is only an illusion.
By Ryan Vrede
406 Comments
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21 Sep 2009, 02:13 am
#399 SjamBok: Bud I have exactly the same problem. And also with a coming before anything else. My guess is you are an overexcited 2 finger typist like me.
I really laughed my head off though.
21 Sep 2009, 04:05 am
Boring boring game. None of the two teams really had a grip on the match. Even Nonu and Rokocoko looked reasonably competent by the less than ordinary Aussies.
ZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz………
21 Sep 2009, 07:52 am
Funny how Grant10 (his mental age) always enjoys a dig at John Smit (should retire etc). Interesting if the Shorks come up against Weeps without Jack in the semis or final.
21 Sep 2009, 14:08 pm
#349 MaraudingJ: bwahahaa expert, sure, at putting your hand on it and calling out your own name maybe, nothing more… tosser !!!
21 Sep 2009, 14:10 pm
#355 bluealligator: haha classy, at least take a pot shot at me when Im here you stupid ******** !!
21 Sep 2009, 14:13 pm
#387 bluealligator: 19-0
49-0
53-3
52-16
some of the Boks finest moments dont you think dutchie ??
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