The All Blacks bounced back after last week’s dismal performance to smash Australia 39-10. Looking more like the All Blacks we are used to seeing, they scored some superb tries and defended exceptionally well.
Desperate for a win, the All Blacks came out fired up. To fire up the home crowd, the All Blacks performed the rare Haka which has only been done a handful of times.
The lineout has always been a worry for the All Blacks, but they were even dominating that, grabbing an impressive eight against the throw when Australia didn’t get one.
The All Blacks' first try, by North Harbour prop Tony Woodcock, came from a New Zealand lineout five meters from the line. Ali Williams took the ball cleanly and passed it down to a running Woodcock who barged over the line for the try.
Woodcock ended up with two tries when he bowled his way over the live from about two meters out.
Having two open side flankers, George Smith and Phil Waugh, didn’t work out for the Australians, who were outmuscled in the rucks and scrums. The return of Richie McCaw may have had something to do with that.
Richie got straight into business in his comeback game after a lengthy ankle injury. He had a quiet game by his standards but led the team well and was always close to the action, getting stuck in and causing the Australians grief.
Any talk about Giteau possibly being up to Dan Carter's level can now be silenced. Carter dominated and controlled the game with his kicking and effective runs at the line.
The All Blacks took a completely different approach to last week’s game when returning the ball from deep. Last week they were running it back and getting isolated, which gave Australia the chance to force a turnover.
This week they were kicking into space and putting pressure on the player catching the ball. They played at the right end of the field and gave Australia very few chances in their 22.
Despite the All Blacks thumping Australia this week, Coach Graham Henry doesn’t get the praise he deserves. Last week people were out for his head after the loss, blaming him for everything that went wrong.
This week, he doesn’t even get a mention.
The New Zealand media only mention Henry when the All Blacks lose but rarely give him credit for a win.
Australia was brought back to earth on Saturday and I don’t see them winning the next two games, which would mean the All Blacks retain the Bledisloe Cup.
The next game in three weeks' time in Brisbane will be a close encounter, but the All Blacks will likely come out victorious.
0 Comments
Loading more comments...
This comment and all replies have been deleted This comment has been deleted Undo delete