The Wallabies are looking for redemption after a sound beating at the hands of New Zealand last weekend. Can they make a dent in what appears to huge chasm between the teams?
The Match
The Wallabies came out with more fire than we had seen from them all year. The All Blacks were clearly expecting it and there was a lot of niggle from both teams. Again the Wallabies were making things harder for themselves. Kerevi kicked out on the full, Aaron Smith picked up Australia’s scrum ball and losing two early lineouts. Australia’s lineout scapegoat,Rob Simmons has a wry smile on his face as he prepares for Queensland Country in the NRC
With three minutes to go to half time Adam Coleman tackled Ben Smith late and without arms. Coleman had been aggressive all half and involved in most of the niggle but the last time was too much. New Zealand weren’t able to capitalise on the extra man before half time. The Wallabies didn’t look like crossing the tryline in the first half but three penalties kept them in the game. One by Reece Hodge from half way was a beauty. The all Blacks scored two well worked team tries, finished off by Israel Dagg, to lead 15-9.
The Wallabies did well to not leak any points during Coleman’s absences but let a try in just after he returned. The All Blacks smothered any attack Australia tried to set up and dominated field position and with a 13 point lead that is all the had to do. The loose penalties from Australia came in a constant stream.
The Wallabies did manage to get into New Zealand’s half on occasion, but there attack was pretty ineffectual except for a nice exchange between Cooper and Folau and a good run from Phipps who dropped the ball over the line. The All Black shut Australia out and won the match 29-9 in the process scoring four tries to nil and winning every facet of the game.
The Wrap
As a Wallaby fan is have to ask myself if I’m happir with that display and I can honestly say I am. Happier but not happy. Australia still lost lineouts, lost scrums, gave away silly penalties, failed to find touch, missed tackles, our dual playmakers didn’t compliment each other and our general play look forced and slow.
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The Game Changer
The All Blacks controlled this from go to whoa and never took their foot off Australia’s throat.
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The G&GR MOTM
This is the Australian man of the match. And it’s honestly hard to pick someone out. If I had to pick someone it would come down to Hooper and Folau and out of the two I’m going with Israel Folau as the GAGR MOTM
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Wallaby watch
The Cooper Foley dual play maker system didn’t really work. Samu Kerevi didn’t really grab his opportunity at 13. Alan Ala’alatoa struggled in the scrum
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The Details
Crowd:
Score & Scorers
[one_half last=”no”]New Zealand: 29
Tries: Israel Dagg 2, Julian Savea, Sam Cane
Conversions: Beauden Barrett 3
Penalties: Beauden Barrett 1[/one_half]
[one_half last=”yes”]Australia: 9
Tries:
Conversions:
Penalties: Bernard Foley 2, Reece Hodge[/one_half]
Cards & citings
Adam Coleman YC
