And don’t forget #farewellsharpie
The kick off was long and the Wallabies showed good intent, with AAC charging down the clearing kick from Aaron Smith. The Ball went dead, but gee I love a good chase. The Wallabies recovered the ball from the restart, and a couple of phases later were awarded a penalty for an All Black infringement at the ruck. Aussie Mike Harris slotted it and the Wallabies were in the lead. At least we were going to lose this one to nil…
Shortly after, some good work from both teams, the All Blacks were awarded a penalty for Kurtley Beale not rolling away. From 49 metres out, Dan Carter put it over to level the scores at 3 all.
A near try that was stopped from some great scrambling defense from the wallabies was sent back for a penalty advantage.Dan Carter kicked it and the score was 6-3 to the Visitors at the 12th minute.
the Wallabies were putting some really positive stretches of rugby together, they seemed to be matching the Kiwi physicality too, there is a cracker of a game unfolding.
Tensions started to heat up and Ritchie looked for a new sparring partner. He found it in Higgers, with a small stink adding some spice. I missed it live, but would love to see the replay. A phase or so later, Mike Harris took his second shot at goal. It was good, 6 all in the 29th minute.
Fans at the ground were then treated to a rare sight, a Roll Away Black Seven call, and the obligatory first final warning. Mike Harris took the opportunity to kick another 3, and the Wallabies were back in the lead. 32 minutes had been played.
The Wallaibes then conceded a penalty and Dan Carter stepped up, but in another rarely seen event, he missed. The Wallabies held the lead.
Then the stars aligned, Joubert had had enough of the Kiwi ruck infringement and sent Tony Woodcock for a spell in the bin. Mike Harris converted the penalty to points and the Wallabies went to the sheds leading 12-6.
The All Blacks started the second half with only 14 on the field. They had some luck though with Kurtley’s clearing kick from the kick off going out on the full. As both teams felt their way into the half, The Kiwis were given a penalty on half way. Dan Carter stepped up but missed another.
A huge call of SEVEN BLACK from the Referee was greeted by derision from Sir Ritchie, to which the Joubert walked them ten. This put the kick within range of KB, who stepped up and nailed it from just inside the Wallabies half. Score was 15-6.
A penalty to the Kiwis saw them hit straight back, Dan Carter making an easy one to take it to 15-9 to the Wallabies. after 53 minutes.
The All Blacks were attacking down the wing and Aaron Smith put a grubber kick in, Micheal Hooper was committed (in my opinion) and took him out after, Jaco Peyper had a word to the Ref and Hooper was Yellow Carded. Dan Carter kicked the Penalty and the score was 15-12 after 55 minutes. They were clawing back the difference very quickly.
A penalty was awarded to the Wallabies right on Halfway. Kurtley stepped up to kick it, but was short and to the left. The scores remained 15-12 in the 60th minute.
A great attacking raid down the sideline was only stopped by touch. The wallabies made a mess of their line-out throw, ten metres out, when the ball was thrown cleanly to Black 7 standing at the back. The Kiwis rumbled it through multiple phases, eventually earning a penalty right in front. Dan Carter converted it to level the scores at 15 all, 66th minute.
A dropped sitter (which was picked up by an offside player) from the Wallabies saw Dan Carter line up for another kick. He didn’t miss a third time and the Kiwis had re-claimed the lead. 15-18, 71st minute.
The ruck work that was prominent from the All Blacks in the first half was back, and the Wallabies were awarded a penalty right in front. Mike Harris took the tee and drew the scores level again. With 5 minutes to go, scores were tied 18 all. Time only for a game breaker…
for 5 minutes the Wallabies worked the ball in mid-field. The hooter went and the tension grew. In the end I think he got bored of it, but didn’t want to give the game away with a penalty, so from out of the mess he blew a penalty for the All Blacks. They wanted their winning streak to continue so took a scrum.
They worked the ball down to the Wallabies 22 and settled in for more of the same, midfield hit-ups. They were in the red zone and wanted the win. Carter got into the pocket and went for the droppie. He missed.
#farewellsharpie was a draw. Pucker up Sis…
Congratulations to James ‘Chibba’ Hanson on your test debut.
Australia 18 (Pen, Harris 5/5, Beale 1/2) drew with New Zealand 18 (Pen, Carter 6/8 DG Carter 0/1))
