Here we go again! Another Rugby Championship and the first game in we have to hurdle the biggest obstacle in world rugby. Thankfully SANZAAR is contemplating a change. I say it can’t come soon enough but that doesn’t help us today. So do I dare to dream of a win? No, I’m not that much of an optimist. But I am hoping for a good showing from our side. Let’s see what happens.
The Match
It took 38 minutes for the AllBlacks to score a try in an intriguing first half. Defence dominated the game but it was David Pocock who stood out for the Wallabies turning over the ball effortlessly and running powerfully in attack.
Both sides seemed a little off their games with handling errors crueling scoring opportunities for both sides. It was a stacked blind side and brilliant backing up that finally got Aaron Smith over near the sideline late in the half but Australia still lead 6-5 at oranges.
The All Blacks continued their try-scoring ways after the break. An adjustment to a more direct attacking platform and immense pressure in defence lead to turnover tries to Jack Goodhue and Beauden Barrett. But it was the Wallaby set piece that was really struggling. The Australian scrum was always going to struggle with Robertson at loosehead but the Wallaby lineout struggled from the start and, surprisingly, got worse when Tolu Latu started throwing.
Just as the All Blacks looked like they were about to run away with the game the Wallabies struck back with a long-range try to Jack Maddocks. But the reprieve only lasted a moment or two with Waisake Naholo scoring a late double to blow the score out.
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The Game Changer
The All Blacks dominance of the set-piece especially the lineout.
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The G&GR MOTM
David Pocock was the best of the Wallabies but Brodie Retallick Gets my vote for Man Of The Match
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Wallaby watch
Great effort from all the Wallabies I Really can’t mention anyone except Pocock as doing the extra yard.
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The Details
Crowd:
Score & Scorers
[one_half last=”no”]Australia: 13
Tries: Jack Maddocks
Conversions: Bernard Foley
Penalties: Bernard Foley, Reece Hodge[/one_half]
[one_half last=”yes”]New Zealand: 38
Tries: Aaron Smith, Jack Goodhue, Beauden Barrett, Brodie Retallick, Waisake Naholo
Conversions: Beauden Barrett 4
Penalties: [/one_half]
Cards & citings
None
