| Time |
Score |
|
| |
|
The Wallabies are all set to host the All Blacks in a vital Bledisloe Cup showdown in Sydney, with both sides featuring high-profile returns. Graham Henry has called on the fit-again Dan Carter to call the shots at fly-half for New Zealand, while Rocky Elsom plays his first Test since November 2008 on Australia's blindside flank.
The home side are still looking for their first win of the tournament after going down in Cape Town two weeks ago, and are without their injured skipper Stirling Mortlock. George Smith leads the Wallabies against opposite number Richie McCaw's All Blacks - who haven't won since week one. Join us for LIVE commentary at 20.05 local time (11.05 BST)
We're due for the kick-off soon, and just waiting for the teams to take the field. Thanks for joining me, Jamie Allaway, I'm looking forward to a really enthralling game. Will Dan Carter's return re-ignite the All Blacks and can the influence of Rocky Elsom make up for the loss of the vital Stirling Mortlock? It's Australia against New Zealand, always a massive game, I hope you enjoy it.
|
| 1 |
|
Straight into the confrontation as Rocky Elsom goes straight through McCaw's legs as he collects the kick-off. Penalty New Zealand, marker down for a physical game.
|
| 2 |
|
Good drive from the Kiwis from the lineout, they'll be looking for a strong performance from the forwards here. A chip through from Carter almost opens up the Aussies, but a strong counter-attack takes it back at the All Blacks. Nice start, this, and ends up with Carter taking a shot at goal for an Aussie off-side.
|
| 3 |
0 - 3 |
Welcome back, Dan Carter. A clean penalty, first-blood to New Zealand.
|
| 4 |
|
Barnes runs the ball back and chips following Carter's clearance. They take a quick lineout after the ball goes into touch, definitely looking to keep this game open.
|
| 6 |
3 - 3 |
From the lineout, the Aussie attack wins a penalty, not entirely sure what for from here, but Giteau slots over a very straightforward kick.
|
| 8 |
|
The Wallabies have had the better of the last minute or two, a strong driving maul, but the box kick from Burgess is cleared. Then a half-break and chip from O'Connor. Nothing decisive, but solid rugby.
|
| 9 |
|
Their efforts pay off though, as the Kiwis infringe at the breakdown again, hands in the ruck, I think, and Giteau has a chance to give the Aussies the lead for the first time.
|
| 10 |
6 - 3 |
Straight through the middle and both sides are taking points from their pressure.
It seems that the ref here is being particularly tight at the breakdown and penalising hands or bodies out of place very quickly. Hopefully that will make for a quick and enjoyable game
|
| 12 |
|
New Zealand have an attacking chance after Giteau clears a chip through that is only just scrambled in defence by Australia. New Zealand, though, seem to want to kick over the top, whereas Australia so far seem to be working the ball through hands better and the amount of possession they've had reflects that.
|
| 13 |
|
Australia secure their lineout ball and clear easily.
|
| 14 |
|
First decent looking backline move from the Kiwis, but the short pass is well forward. However, it's the first hint of New Zealand's running potential, which was absent in the games against South Africa.
|
| 15 |
|
More good signs for New Zealand, as they put the pressure on the Australian scrum and win the put-in when the ball comes out messily. It will be by giving themselves a platform like that we will see more running from their backs.
|
| 18 |
|
Another good scrum by the All Blacks forces Australia into scrappy possession, and Ritchie McCaw does what he does best and gets to the Aussie ball. However, good counter-rucking wins the put-in for the Aussies.
The last few minutes seem to be testing who is going to be in control up front.
|
| 20 |
|
Great stuff from New Zealand, several phases, several half-breaks from McCaw and Carter, some crunching tackles from the Australians too. It ends when a kiwi, sorry can't see who, was forced to hold on. To reflect what a bruising passage of play that was, Hore is forced to leave the field to get quite a lot of blood cleaned up.
|
| 21 |
|
Australia breaks through Barnes, but his offload goes astray. Carter runs it back and wins the penalty from hands in the ruck.
|
| 23 |
|
He's having a good game. With the ensuing possession he puts a little chip into touch in the Aussie 22 and they will have to defend a dangerous lineout.
|
| 24 |
|
They do, and clear but Sivivatu runs a counter-attack that leads to a great chip and chase by McAlister. Giteau is across well to win the 22 dropout.
|
| 25 |
|
You don't want to do that- Giteau drives a kick straight into the hands of Carter, who runs the ball up, chips, and O'Connor, who covers the ball, is driven into touch to give New Zealand a lineout.
|
| 28 |
|
Both sides have had possession in the midfield in the last couple of minute,s neither using it to their full advantage. Their is a lot of good intent and both sides are trying to open the ball up a bit, but their is also a fair bit of indiscipline, particularly in the face of some tough early refereeing by Kaplan at the breakdown.
|
| 31 |
|
The Aussies make a tactical substitution in their front row, as Alexander comes on for Baxter. Looking to shore up their scrum.
|
| 32 |
|
The scrum stays solid, but New Zealand win their put-in cleanly. A pair of Knock-ons returns the ball to the Wallabies.
|
| 33 |
|
The Aussie scrum is good again, and wins the free kick as the Kiwis collapse it. Giteau launches the ball high, but the take is good and New Zealand drive the ball through the middle to give themselves the platform to launch several phases of attack.
|
| 34 |
9 - 3 |
More indiscipline- under pressure at the ruck New Zealand dive over the ball to give away the penalty. A bit of chat gives away another 10 metres, and now Giteau has a chance from straight in front at a comfortable distance.
Another one straight down the middle extends the Australian lead to 6.
|
| 35 |
|
New Zealand come back strongly, looking for a score before half-time. 6 good phases of rugby work upfield against committed Australian defence, but yet again, players going over the ball give away the penalty and undo all the good work.
|
| 37 |
|
Wonderful take from Sivivatu on the run opens up the attack for New Zealand, the ball goes to Hore in the midfield, who takes it on when he really should have passed it wide. There would have been 5 on 2 there if he'd seen the option.
|
| 38 |
|
Barnes sees Muliaina is too wide and drives a kick right up the middle, but the Kiwi fullback gets across and has just enough time to drive a massive kick into touch past the halfway line.
|
| 39 |
|
The Aussie crowd doesn't like that: Ashley-Cooper kicks the ball through and is chasing back against several New Zealand defenders, shoulder to shoulder to get the most direct access to the ball he loses out and the crowd roar for a penalty. It probably wasn't as both men had the right to go for that line. The Aussies are looking slightly more dangerous right now.
|
| 40 |
|
To underline it, Giteau makes a fantastic break and gets behind the kiwi defence. Nathan Sharpe is left one on one with the last defender but is brought down just short. He can't offload to the man but the New Zealand defenders pile onto the ball to kill it. Again, more illegal rucking and Kaplan gives the penalty. Robinson almost disastrously takes it quick before being called back and Giteau gets his chance. It's a chance he does not miss and a great time for the Wallabies to score, as it is the final kick before halftime and they go in 9 points clear.
A really entertaining half of rugby, that, which flew by for me! Some excellent intent from both sides and a desire to use possession to attack. We saw hints of danger from the kiwis but a lot of good position was squandered by indiscipline; the same indiscipline also gave Australia the chance to take points from their attacking positions. The Wallabies were solid and defended with aggression and commitment, but essentially it was the Kiwi mistakes that have allowed them to go into the break with the lead.
Join me for the second half in a few minutes.
|
| 40+2 |
12 - 3 |
Giteau - penalty goal
|
| 40 |
|
The sides are coming out. We're hearing that Barnes is coming off for Australia as he has a slight concussion. Tough blow for the Wallabies, as he was playing well, and was a great foil to Giteau.
|
| 41 |
|
Crunch! Sivivatu knocked down, but he gets the ball away and New Zealand counter attack from the kick. Nonu, who has come on at halftime, shows his strength, taking the ball up and this half is already going New Zealand's way as Brown commits the professonal foul and has to take 10 minutes. To add to Australia's problems, Carter line up the penalty.
|
| 42 |
|
Carter misses. Not one you're going to see often, but Carter pushes a moderately easy chance really quite wide.
|
| 44 |
12 - 6 |
Real problems here for the Australians. Sivivatu breaks down the left wing, the ball comes inside and New Zealand are halfway behind the Australian defence and win the penalty under the posts as the Wallabies scramble defence. It looks like the man down is already stretching the Aussie defence, which was really what thir lead was based on in the first half.
Carter slots the simplest of chances.
|
| 46 |
|
Nonu is looking to get involved in the game and charges into the Australian defensive line, but great offensive tackling forces him to hold onto the ball and Giteau has the chance to restore the lead.
|
| 47 |
15 - 6 |
Giteau converts, his kicking has been impeccable. And again, it is the Australian defence that creates the scoring opportunities. They will be very pleased if they can get through this ten minutes with 14 men and continue to maintain this lead.
|
| 49 |
|
A great take under the high ball from Hynes for Australia, then another high ball and McAlister goes up against Burgess. Burgess wins the ball but knocks on. McAlister, who has looked a lot better today, has also been in the wars and takes another knock; he is looking a bit shaky on his feet and is led from the field to be replaced by Donald.
|
| 50 |
|
New Zealand keep coming. Several phases of driving rugby. The Australian defence has been solid in midfield, so they try to work the pick and drive and exploit the man short in the Aussie pack.
|
| 51 |
|
Carter is over! But the try is not allowed. New Zealand work the short side and put Carter through but a handling error, forward pass I think, means it won't count.
|
| 52 |
|
Again! The Kiwis go over again and again it is disallowed. Still working the short ball from a free kick after the scrum, the Kiwis go over but Cowan's path was cleared by an obstructing man and this one isn't allowed either. Things are healting up here, the crowd is getting right into this and the Kiwis are also feeling a little worked up.
|
| 54 |
|
It's just not going right for New Zealand at the moment. Muliaina runs strongly and offloads to McCaw, who just can't hold onto the ball. Australia may have been in trouble if he had.
|
| 55 |
|
New Zealand are all oevr Australia here. They win a turnover and Smith is forced to scramble to collect a bouncing ball from the chip-over. He does very well, but Australia are under the cosh.
|
| 56 |
|
Fantastic defensive work by Giteau to drive back the much larger Nonu, however, the ball bounces backwards and here they come again!
|
| 58 |
15 - 9 |
The Wallaby tackle-count is going to be enormous, and yet again the Kiwi attack breaks down after 5 or 6 phases as Read ships the ball forward in midfield. However, we're going back for an earlier penalty for an infringement out to the left and Carter has a chance to make the points with the boot.
The kick is over, normal service again from Carter now and New Zealand are within a converted try and in the ascendancy here.
|
| 59 |
|
Oooooh! Rococoko almost clear as a big bomb is allowed to bounce by the Australians and falls into his waiting hands, but he just can't quite find the gap. Australia still clinging on but will need to get possession and steady this if they are to survive the last 20 minutes.
|
| 61 |
|
That would be the way to steady it! So close, Hynes runs onto a ball that is allowed to bounce by Sivivatu. He collects and running down the touchline tries to chip ahead of the cover defence, but the ball just scuttles out.
|
| 62 |
|
Better from the Aussies, who win the ball through Hynes and run it wide to put some pressure back on New Zealand. However, they give away the penalty at the breakdown. The atmosphere is getting electric, as the crowd sense that something could happen at any time and the Aussies have to throw everything into defence.
|
| 63 |
|
Great work by Giteau, again stripping the much bigger man Thorn in the tackle. The kick is charged down, the Aussies lose the ball in midfield.
|
| 64 |
15 - 14 |
TRY Now, the game is wide open. Nonu scores as Sivivatu slips Turner's tackle and feeds Nonu, who had been involved earlier in the move. Great running rugby by New Zealand, and it was bound to come as they had stretched Australia for so long.
|
| 65 |
15 - 16 |
Carter puts over a difficult kick to convert from the left hand side and New Zealand have the lead. Can the Aussies come back? They've been up against it for the last 10 or 15 minutes and will really have to dig deep to change the direction of this game.
|
| 66 |
|
Well they seem to have found something, because they come straight back at the Kiwis. Elsom, who has been monumental in taking it to the All Blacks, charges into the defence and forces a penalty under the posts again.
|
| 67 |
18 - 16 |
Giteau puts over a simple chance and it is back in the Aussie's hands. What a game this is!
|
| 68 |
|
Hynes, who has had a great game since he came on, charges down the left wing, turns Rococoko to make really good distance. The situation is improved further when Elsom follows up and bundles the New Zealand man into touch after Hynes is isolated.
|
| 69 |
|
Australia are deep in the Kiwi half now and work and attack the right hand side. This time it is New Zealand who are under sustained pressure.
|
| 70 |
|
We have had several phases now, but some of the possession is very slow and Australia pick and drive. Eventually this leads to a penalty as Hore goes to ground. I think they were trying to set Giteau up for the drop kick there but made a bit of a mess of it. That could be significant, as now the All Blacks kick upfield for a lineout and their chance to attack.
|
| 72 |
|
The Wallabies win possesion in their 22 and clear and Muliaina kicks back to initiate a passage of kicking play.
DISASTER as Mitchell puts his kick far too long and it runs dead. That will be all the way back to the Australian 10 metre line and a really strong position for the All Blacks to attack. It's getting very intense in the stadium and you feel any decisive play that leads to a try could settle it either way.
|
| 74 |
|
New Zealand are using the pick and drive again, and must have been through at least 10 phases, Carter has dropped into the pocket but still the forwards go on.
|
| 75 |
|
And there he goes. But a dreadful attempt. Carter seemed to have time, but failed to connect and the ball scuds through to go dead for a 22.
|
| 76 |
|
Unsurprisingly Giteau goes long. Mitchell marks the return kick. He finds touch but New Zealand take the lineout quickly. Another kick, another mark, this time by Turner. No one wants to make a mistake! This mark goes well upfield and we settle for a moment for New Zealand to take a lineout.
|
| 77 |
|
Good hands by New Zealand gives Rococoko half a chance but he is scragged and the midfield work it back the other way. The All Blacks seem to go back as they attack, but Carter puts a kick deep into the Wallabies 22. And there's the mistake: the covering defender doesn't have long but tries to step his man, he's half caught and gets a bouncing pass to Turner, who is also half-caught and forced to hold the ball. That's a penalty to New Zealand, it is wide and not easy but it is Dan Carter to take it.
|
| 78 |
18 - 19 |
Straight through the middle. It couldn't have been more in the centre and the All Blacks have a 1 point lead. Can the Aussies come again? They have 1 minute to find a score, any score.
|
| 79 |
|
TURNOVER: the Kiwis win another turnover in the ruck. That looks to be it...but somehow the Aussies come away with the ball from the next ruck. They go left, then right.
|
| 80 |
|
Mumm takes it up, they have to be precise here in the rucks as the hooter has gone. Cooper tries to make the break, but is held up. The short ball is knocked on! And that's it, it's over, New Zealand have won it by 1 point.
What a match, phew! I'm exhausted! A brave effort from both sides, thrilling stuff with full commitment, the lead changing hands and a second half that wound up more and more right until the climax.
New Zealand came out in the second half and were a lot better at the breakdown and that really made the difference. They never managed to hit full fluency, but with the resulting possession they were able to impose themselves on the game. They stretched the Aussies, especially when they had the one man advantage, and that pressure led to the try.
The Wallabies were still committed in defence but were unable to gain the points they needed when New Zealand found their control. The try was coming, but a terrible mistake gave the final penalty that won it for New Zealand. Both sides, though, should be very pleased to have played a great game with improved performances from each.
New Zealand will now retain the Bledisloe cup and have the chance to challenge South Africa in the Tri-Nations but for now will just be pleased to win a thrilling game against their arch rivals.
I'm going for a breather after that, but hope you can join me, Jamie Allaway, next week for what he hope will be as exciting an installment of Tri-nations rugby.
|
