All Blacks annihilate Wallabies
The dynamic All Blacks embarrassed the Wallabies six tries to one and have now lost only once to the Australians in their last 14 encounters. The Kiwis appear no closer to giving up the Bledisloe Cup they have held since 2003 with the two remaining trans-Tasman Tests against the Wallabies at home in Wellington and Auckland.
If Australia thought the chance of finally mastering the Kiwi powerhouse had arrived following the retirement of legends Richie McCaw and Daniel Carter they were sadly mistaken. The Wallabies' hopes were shredded by a devastating opening half by the All Blacks, who smashed through some porous defence for four tries to lead 32-3 at halftime.
It was a dynamic first half by the world champions, dominating territory and possession with Australian seemingly incapable of mounting a resistance to the incessant waves of attack. It got no better for the Australians with the Kiwis scoring a further 10 points against some flimsy defence.
Bernard Foley kicked an early penalty goal for the Wallabies but the All Blacks hit back quickly in the sixth minute. Ryan Crotty broke through the tackles of Dane Haylett-Petty and Matt Giteau to storm over for an easy converted try.
The Wallabies had another setback when Giteau was forced from the field hobbling from an injured left ankle to be replaced by Matt Toomua. Barrett kicked the All Blacks further in front with back-to-back penalties as the Wallabies struggled to get into the game against the fluent Kiwis.
The hapless Wallabies called on a second replacement when Toomua collided with Barrett and made way for Rob Horne. More disaster befell the Wallabies when Foley's clearing kick was charged down by flank Jerome Kaino who scored for a 25-3 lead.
Nothing was going right for the Wallabies with a third back forced off with an injury – Horne succumbing to a left arm injury. The All Blacks showed no mercy and scored their fourth try through wing Waisake Naholo after a scything run by Barrett.
The game looked well beyond the Wallabies' reach at half-time after an explosive opening half by the world champions.
Coach Michael Cheika made a flurry of replacements early in the second half in a bid to spark his team as the All Blacks continued their points rampage. Dane Coles scored after Tevita Kuridrani dropped a pass and then minutes later another replacement Julian Savea scored in the opposite corner for a 42-3 lead.
Replacement Nick Phipps scored the Wallabies only try with five minutes left.
Scorers:
For Australia:
Try: Phipps
Pen: Foley
For New Zealand:
Tries: Crotty, Barrett, Kaino, Naholo, Coles, J Savea
Cons: Barrett 3
Pens: Barrett 2
Yellow card: Kieran Read (New Zealand, repeated infringements – incorrectly joining the maul, 74)
Teams:
Australia: 15 Israel Folau, 14 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Matt Giteau, 11 Dane Haylett-Petty, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Will Genia, 8 David Pocock, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Ben McCalman, 5 Rob Simmons, 4 Kane Douglas, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Stephen Moore (captain), 1 Scott Sio.
Replacements: 16 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 17 James Slipper, 18 Allan Alaalatoa, 19 Dean Mumm, 20 Scott Fardy, 21 Nick Phipps, 22 Matt Toomua, 23 Rob Horne.
New Zealand: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Ben Smith, 13 Malakai Fekitoa, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Waisake Naholo, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read (captain), 7 Sam Cane, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Replacements: 16 Dane Coles, 17 Kane Hames, 18 Charlie Faumuina, 19 Liam Squire, 20 Ardie Savea, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Aaron Cruden, 23 Julian Savea.
Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Romain Poite (France), Federico Anselmi (Argentina)
TMO: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)
AFP
