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All Blacks

Wallabies

Full Time  
Eden Park, Auckland

• Match Review
• Match Preview
• Photos
• Match Stats

The All Blacks have secured the Bledisloe Cup for the 9^th year in a row following a dominant 30-14 win over the Qantas Wallabies in their Castrol Edge Tri Nations Test this evening at Eden Park.

The Qantas Wallabies failed to put a point on the board in the first half and trailed the All Blacks 17-0 going into the break after the New Zealanders crossed twice through Ma’a Nonu and Keven Mealamu, while Dan Carter converted both tries and slotted a penalty attempt.

The All Blacks extended their lead in the 48th minute through the boot of Dan Carter once again when the fly half knocked over a drop goal from about 22 out.

It took 52 minutes before the Qantas Wallabies managed to get on the board through winger, Digby Ioane and when Quade Cooper converted the difference was just 13 points.

The Qantas Wallabies joy was short-lived as the All Blacks struck back immediately winning the ball from the restart and crossing through Sitiveni Sivivatu. Once again Dan Carter’s boot was accurate and the successful conversion moved the All Blacks lead back to 20 points.

In the 67^th minute Dan Carter took his points tally for the game to 18 after he knocked over another penalty goal to extend the All Blacks lead to 23 points.

The Qantas Wallabies managed to cross once more before the final siren through skipper Rocky Elsom and while Quade Cooper’s conversion attempt was successful it was too little too late and the Qantas Wallabies fell 16 points short.

New Zealand 30: Tries to Ma’a Nonu, Keven Mealamu and Sitiveni Sivivatu. Conversions: Dan Carter (3/3). Pen Goal: Dan Carter (2/2) Drop Goals: Dan Carter (1/1).

Qantas Wallabies 14: Tries to Digby Ioane and Rocky Elsom. Conversions: Quade Cooper (2/2). Pen Goal: James O’Connor (0/3)

Minute by Minute:

First Half:

1^st: New Zealand knock on, scrum to Australia.

2^nd: Free kick to Australia, tap taken.

5^th: Penalty to New Zealand, kick at goal.

6^th: Penalty Goal, Dan Carter.

8^th: Try to New Zealand, Ma’a Nonu.

10^th: Conversion by New Zealand, Dan Carter.

10^th: Kick-off not 10m, scrum to New Zealand.

14^th: New Zealand knock on, scrum to Australia.

15^th: Penalty to Australia, kick to touch.

21^st: Penalty to Australia, scrum to Australia.

25^th: Penalty to New Zealand, scrum to New Zealand.

27^th: Try to New Zealand, Keven Mealamu.

28^th: Conversion by New Zealand, Dan Carter.

29^th: Penalty to Australia, kick at goal.

30^th: Penalty attempt unsuccessful.

30^th: Australia knock on, scrum to New Zealand.

34^th: Penalty to Australia, kick at goal.

35^th: Penalty attempt unsuccessful.

37^th: Australia knock on, scrum to New Zealand.

39^th: Penalty to New Zealand, kick to touch.

Second Half:

41^st: New Zealand knock on, scrum to Australia.

41^st: Penalty to Australia, kick at goal.

43^rd: Penalty attempt unsuccessful.

44^th: New Zealand knock on, scrum to Australia.

45^th: Penalty to New Zealand, kick to touch.

48^th: Drop goal to New Zealand, Dan Carter.

48^th: Penalty to New Zealand, kick to touch.

50^th: Penalty to New Zealand, kick to touch.

51^st: New Zealand change, Wyatt Crockett replaced by Ben Franks.

52^nd: Try to Australia, Digby Ioane.

52^nd: Australia change, Rob Simmons replaced by Dan Vickerman.

54^th: Conversion by Australia, Quade Cooper.

55^th: Try to New Zealand, Sitiveni Sivivatu.

56^th: Conversion by New Zealand, Dan Carter.

55^th: Australia change, Ben McCalman replaced by Scott Higginbotham.

55^th: New Zealand change, Sitiveni Sivivatu replaced by Colin Slade.

59^th: New Zealand knock on, scrum to Australia.

61^st: New Zealand change, Piri Weepu replaced by Andy Ellis.

61^st: New Zealand change, Keven Mealamu replaced by Andrew Hore

63^rd: Penalty to New Zealand, scrum to New Zealand.

65^th: Australia knock on, scrum to New Zealand.

65^th: New Zealand change, Ali Williams replaced by Sam Whitelock

67^th: Scrum to New Zealand.

67^th: Penalty to New Zealand, kick at goal.

68^th: Penalty Goal, Dan Carter.

69^th: Australia change, Steven Moore replaced by Saia Faingaa.

69^th: New Zealand change, Ma’a Nonu replaced by Sonny Bill Williams.

71^st: New Zealand change, Jerome Kaino replaced by Adam Thomson.

72^nd: Australia knock on, scrum to New Zealand.

74^th: Penalty to New Zealand, kick to touch.

75^th: Penalty to Australia, kick to touch.

76^th: Try to Australia, Rocky Elsom.

78^th: Conversion by Australia, Quade Cooper.

78^th: Penalty to New Zealand, kick to touch.

80^th: Penalty to Australia, quick tap.

80^th: New Zealand knock on.

80^th: Full Time – New Zealand 30 – Australia 14.

All Blacks v Qantas Wallabies

Date: Saturday, August 6
Kick Off: 5.30pm (AEST)
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
Referee: Craig Joubert
Assistant Referees: Marius Jonker / Christie Du Preez

Follow on Twitter: #NZvAUS

Australia has named an un-changed line-up to meet New Zealand this weekend in Auckland, as the Bledisloe Cup takes centre stage for the first time in 2011.

With more than 50,000 tickets already sold for the Eden Park clash, the All Blacks “fortress” is certain to be set alight as the Qantas Wallabies arrive to lay down the challenge to the world’s number one side.

Wallaby coach Robbie Deans has named an unchanged starting line-up from the side that took little trouble beating the Springboks 39-20 at ANZ Stadium in Sydney, with the only changes occurring on the bench where NSW trio Luke Burgess, Dan Vickerman and Lachie Turner have been included.

Burgess returns to the field for the first time since injuring his hand in the lead up to the Waratahs Super Rugby semi over a month ago, with the livewire halfback expected to appear at some point throughout the 80 minutes.

Deans says the changes represented a “horses-for-courses” approach.

“Luke and Lachie have both worked their way back into contention and have shown that they are now ready to go, while Dan (Vickerman) really stepped up in training last week, and reinforced that for Sydney University on the weekend. This is a contest we believe he is well suited to,” Deans said.

The change in emphasis amongst the run-ons, Deans says, highlights the difference in nature between an Australia-New Zealand and Australia-South Africa Test.

“You saw the differences in approach last weekend,” Deans said.

“For the South Africans, it’s physicality first, second and third. The All Blacks employ more width and rely on speed of recycle and movement. They play the game wider and faster, which is why the extra speed and additional backline resources are required on the bench.”

Deans’ kiwi-counterpart Graham Henry may have watched his side put 40 points on the struggling Africans last weekend, however expects a much tougher challenge this week as the Wallabies stroll into town looking to end the All Blacks Auckland-dominance.

The starting XV features seven changes to the team that beat South Africa 40–7 in the opening Castrol Edge Tri Nations match in Wellington last weekend, with four forwards playing their first Tests of the year: Owen Franks replaces brother Ben at tighthead prop; Keven Mealamu is back at hooker; Brad Thorn is at lock alongside Ali Williams; and Kieran Read is at number eight.

In the backs, Piri Weepu has been picked at halfback, making his first Test start since last year’s Bledisloe Cup 23–22 All Blacks victory in Sydney; Hosea Gear returns from his recent hamstring injury to start his first Test of the year on the left wing; while Sitiveni Sivivatu is on the right wing.

Graham Henry said the All Blacks would be expecting a completely different level of intensity on Saturday compared to that posed by the Springboks last weekend.

“There is no doubt that the intensity levels will rise for this Test. It’s game one in a two–match Bledisloe Cup series involving the teams ranked number one and two in the world. It’s a hugely important Test and is going to be a massive challenge, but we are looking forward to that.”

With all the talk surrounding the AB’s dominance in Auckland, with the Kiwi’s now having not lost at the venue since 1993, Deans was all but subtle in his thoughts of the suggested hoodoo.

“It’s about now rather than the history,” Deans says.

“The All Blacks do draw strength from their record at the ground, but playing at Eden Park is not something to be feared. It’s a challenge – and an opportunity – to be embraced and enjoyed. A lot of visiting teams will be aspiring to achieve something special at Eden Park this year [it is the venue of October’s Rugby World Cup final]. This weekend we’re the lucky ones – we get first crack!”

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Will Genia
The Super Rugby winning halfback was the best on ground in Australia’s 39-20 win over South Africa in Sydney, when the Castrol Edge Tri Nations kicked off two weeks ago. The hard-running and quick-thinking halfback will need to be on song tonight when he faces up against arguably one of the world’s premier No.9’s in Piri Weepu.
Genia will no doubt be looking to use his wealth of experience alongside flyhalf Quade Cooper as the duo look to shut down the exciting pair of Weepu and Dan Carter. Genia and Cooper starred throughout the 2011 Super season, leading their side to the premiership with their electric combination however Test Rugby is a whole new kettle of fish and the Brisbane-based half will need to be more than just “on song” come game time.

David Pocock
Richie McCaw, need we say more? David Pocock will tonight face the biggest individual challenge of any Wallaby when he meets his arch-nemesis McCaw as the worlds best number sevens come face-to-face for the first time this international season. The pair have had many a battle in recent seasons, with McCaw the victor in all but one (Hong Kong, 2010) however the individual battles have been too close to call.
Pocock is quickly emerging as not only just a force from flanker, but a leader in the Aussie pack and will need to be more than just alert when he meets the All Blacks skipper out in the middle of Eden Park this evening.

Ma’a Nonu
Many have questioned whether or not Nonu was the man for the All Blacks No.12 jersey this season, after former rugby league star Sonny-Bill Williams lit up the Crusaders backline throughout the Super season. However, coach Graham Henry has stuck with the Hurricanes mid-field of Nonu and Conrad Smith with the experienced pair to no doubt test the youth of Pat McCabe and Adam Ashley-Cooper’s combination through the middle.
With SBW on the bench and set to be used somewhere throughout the 80, Nonu will need to start well to ensure he doesn’t fall behind the Crusaders midfielder in selection contention for the remainder of the Castrol Edge Tri Nations and Bledisloe Cup, plus what is likely to be the Kiwi’s last shot at a Rugby World Cup.

Australia v New Zealand @ Auckland – Historical Notes
• This is the 165th match of a trans-Tasman rivalry that dates back to 1903 when New Zealand won the inaugural meeting 22-3 in Sydney.
• This tally includes the 24 matches played between 1920 and 1928 when NSW represented Australia.
• Of the 164 games played between the two nations, New Zealand has won 113 and Australia 46, with five draws – the most recent of which occurred 23 years (and 56 games) ago, 19-19 in 1988.
• The Bledisloe Cup was donated by the then Governor General of New Zealand, Lord Bledisloe, for competition between the two countries in 1931.
• Australia won the trophy for the first time in 1934, beating New Zealand 25-11 in Sydney.
• The Wallabies haven’t prevailed at Eden Park since 1986, when an Andrew Slack-led side won 22-9 to claim the Bledisloe Cup after a 2-1 series win.
• The last example of an Australian win on New Zealand soil was in 2001, when the Wallabies scored 23-15 in Dunedin. The All Blacks have won the 11 games that have been played between the two teams in New Zealand since that match.
• 2001 was also the last instance of Australia winning consecutive Tests against New Zealand.
• The first Test between Australia and New Zealand in Auckland was played in 1925, with the home side winning 36-10.
• There have been 23 Tests between the two sides in the city, with New Zealand winning 19 of those contests and Australia four.
• Australia’s wins were achieved in 1949 (16-9), 1955 (8-3), 1978 (30-16) and 1986 (22-9).
• New Zealand has won the last 11 Tests it has played against Australia at Eden Park, and has not been defeated on the ground by any country since France prevailed 23-20 in 1994.
• The All Black winning sequence at Eden Park stands at 21 matches, while they have been undefeated in 22, with the run starting in an 18-18 draw against South Africa in 1994.
• Australia (eight) have fallen more than any other side during the unbeaten sequence, followed by England and South Africa (three defeats each).
• Saturday night represents the 75th Test to have been played by New Zealand at Eden Park. The All Blacks have won 62 of these, which includes the 1987 Rugby World Cup final against France, while losing 10, with two others drawn.
• New Zealand lost its first ever Test at Eden Park, 9-5 to South Africa in 1921.
• Remodelled last year in preparation for 2011, Eden Park will this year become the first venue to have witnessed two Rugby World Cup finals, after the inaugural tournament decider in 1987 was held at the ground.
• The ground is one of three Test venues to have been used within the Auckland City area. The first ever Test in Auckland was played at Potter’s Park in 1908 when New Zealand beat the Anglo-Welsh.
• In 1958, New Zealand’s 17-8 win over Australia was played at the Epsom Showgrounds while construction of the old number one grandstand at Eden Park was in progress.
• All Black first five-eighths Andrew Mehrtens kicked a world record equalling nine penalty goals in New Zealand’s 34-15 win over Australia in 1999.

New Zealand Unbeaten Sequence at Eden Park: 1994-2011

1994: New Zealand 18, South Africa 18
1995: New Zealand 73, Canada 7
1995: New Zealand 28, Australia 16
1996: New Zealand 36, Scotland 12
1997: New Zealand 55, South Africa 35
1998: New Zealand 40, England 10
1999: New Zealand 34, Australia 15
2000: New Zealand 48, Scotland 14
2001: New Zealand 26, South Africa 15
2002: New Zealand 40, Ireland 8
2003: New Zealand 21, Australia 17
2004: New Zealand 36, England 12
2005: New Zealand 38, British & Irish Lions 19
2005: New Zealand 34, Australia 24
2006: New Zealand 27, Ireland 17
2006: New Zealand 34, Australia 27
2007: New Zealand 42, France 11
2007: New Zealand 26, Australia 12
2008: New Zealand 37, England 20
2008: New Zealand 39, Australia 10
2009: New Zealand 22, Australia 16
2010: New Zealand 32, South Africa 12