Post by Deleted on Sept 12, 2010 8:59:01 GMT 10
NEW ZEALAND 23 (Richard McCaw, Kieran Read tries Piri Weepu 2 cons 3 pens) bt AUSTRALIA 22 (Adam Ashley-Cooper, James O'Connor tries Matt Giteau 3, Kurtley Beale pens) at ANZ Stadium. Referee: Mark Lawrence (RSA). Crowd: 70,288
SO near, so agonisingly far. The All Blacks machine rumbled into life late to crush Wallabies hearts yet again, surging home and delivering the second-consecutive one-point loss to Australia in Sydney.
The Kiwis' great escape ensured a record 10-straight wins over the Wallabies, but that milestone was no reflection of the paper-thin difference between the sides in a thrilling clash at ANZ Stadium.
An off-night with the boot by inside centre Matt Giteau hurt the Wallabies badly. He missed three penalties and a conversion from seven shots. By contrast, the Kiwis kicked four from four, emphasising that opportunities can't be missed at Test level.
The Wallabies fought off jet-lag in a brave defensive performance, but leading 22-9 with 14 minutes remaining, the All Blacks finally cracked the gold wall and scored twice in five minutes to sneak past them.
Captain Richie McCaw scored in the 66th minute and Kieran Read in the 72nd. Despite the home side fighting to the death, the two sides were separated by just the solitary point - as they were last year at ANZ Stadium.
In front of 70,288 fans, the loss will hurt the Wallabies but it won't sink their spirits in the long-run. Their adventurous attack and staunch defence had the better of the world No 1 for 65 minutes, but their weary legs and cracks in their composure was enough for the All Blacks to pounce.
New Zealand passed the record of most consecutive wins over Australia - nine set from 1936-45 - and now need just two more wins to equal their longest winning stretch in Test history (17).
The Kiwis' great escape ensured a record 10-straight wins over the Wallabies, but that milestone was no reflection of the paper-thin difference between the sides in a thrilling clash at ANZ Stadium.
An off-night with the boot by inside centre Matt Giteau hurt the Wallabies badly. He missed three penalties and a conversion from seven shots. By contrast, the Kiwis kicked four from four, emphasising that opportunities can't be missed at Test level.
The Wallabies fought off jet-lag in a brave defensive performance, but leading 22-9 with 14 minutes remaining, the All Blacks finally cracked the gold wall and scored twice in five minutes to sneak past them.
Captain Richie McCaw scored in the 66th minute and Kieran Read in the 72nd. Despite the home side fighting to the death, the two sides were separated by just the solitary point - as they were last year at ANZ Stadium.
In front of 70,288 fans, the loss will hurt the Wallabies but it won't sink their spirits in the long-run. Their adventurous attack and staunch defence had the better of the world No 1 for 65 minutes, but their weary legs and cracks in their composure was enough for the All Blacks to pounce.
New Zealand passed the record of most consecutive wins over Australia - nine set from 1936-45 - and now need just two more wins to equal their longest winning stretch in Test history (17).
Heheheheheheheheheheheheheheh