megager
21-07-2007, 01:38 PM
Didnt see game, but at times this campaign, I have felt the all blacks are vulnerable. The more I think about this world cup, the more I think it will be one by a defensive containing team. Only one team have attacked and won it, the all blacks in 1987, in an era whan everyone else was amateur and the sprinboks arent in it,.
My money is on south africa
New Zealand have retained the Tri-Nations title after overpowering Australia 26-12 in Auckland on Saturday.
With two titles on the line in difficult conditions, an emphatic second-half performance from the the All Blacks dispelled any fears of an upset after a close- run first period.
Changes by New Zealand boss Graham Henry gave his side the impetus in attack, but it was the return to form of troubled Kiwi fly-half Dan Carter who made the difference at a rain-swept Eden Park.
Carter landed seven goals from eight chances around a solitary try to power the All Blacks to a win over a determined and clinical Wallaby side.
A penalty from in front of the posts put the All Blacks into an early lead but a long range effort midway through the first half from Stirling Mortlock evened up the score.
A remarkable drop-goal from distance by Matt Giteau handed the visitors the lead for the first time in the game.
But the Wallabies' lead was short lived when, almost immediately, Carter pulled the scores back level with another penalty.
The teams left the field 12-9 after a tight first half that was decided by the kicking battle between the Kiwi fly-half and Mortlock.
The exchange continued from the restart with the pair continuing to swap kicks, Carter notching up his fifth from five early on, Mortlock hitting back and Carter replying to preserve the Kiwis' six point lead.
With only the boot of the Kiwi fly-half separating the teams, prop Tony Woodcock bundled his way over in the corner after 60 minutes following a period of sustained All Black pressure.
The try was confirmed by the TV referee but Carter missed the chance to convert and preserve his 100 per cent record.
The Wallabies continued to push the All Blacks in the dying moments but another Carter penalty late in the match put the game beyond reach.
The win handed the All Blacks their third successive Tri-Nations title, a sixth straight win in the Bledisloe Cup and guaranteed their 22-year unbeaten run against Australia at Eden Park.
"We didn't have a lot of ball outside our own half in the first spell," All Blacks captain Richie McCaw said.
"In the second half we put them under pressure, especially chasing kicks, and got a bit of a reward for that."
Wallaby skipper Stirling Mortlock added: "We have to give the All Blacks credit tonight. They were too good.
"In big matches like this, it's the little mistakes that you make that let you down and that was the case tonight."
My money is on south africa
New Zealand have retained the Tri-Nations title after overpowering Australia 26-12 in Auckland on Saturday.
With two titles on the line in difficult conditions, an emphatic second-half performance from the the All Blacks dispelled any fears of an upset after a close- run first period.
Changes by New Zealand boss Graham Henry gave his side the impetus in attack, but it was the return to form of troubled Kiwi fly-half Dan Carter who made the difference at a rain-swept Eden Park.
Carter landed seven goals from eight chances around a solitary try to power the All Blacks to a win over a determined and clinical Wallaby side.
A penalty from in front of the posts put the All Blacks into an early lead but a long range effort midway through the first half from Stirling Mortlock evened up the score.
A remarkable drop-goal from distance by Matt Giteau handed the visitors the lead for the first time in the game.
But the Wallabies' lead was short lived when, almost immediately, Carter pulled the scores back level with another penalty.
The teams left the field 12-9 after a tight first half that was decided by the kicking battle between the Kiwi fly-half and Mortlock.
The exchange continued from the restart with the pair continuing to swap kicks, Carter notching up his fifth from five early on, Mortlock hitting back and Carter replying to preserve the Kiwis' six point lead.
With only the boot of the Kiwi fly-half separating the teams, prop Tony Woodcock bundled his way over in the corner after 60 minutes following a period of sustained All Black pressure.
The try was confirmed by the TV referee but Carter missed the chance to convert and preserve his 100 per cent record.
The Wallabies continued to push the All Blacks in the dying moments but another Carter penalty late in the match put the game beyond reach.
The win handed the All Blacks their third successive Tri-Nations title, a sixth straight win in the Bledisloe Cup and guaranteed their 22-year unbeaten run against Australia at Eden Park.
"We didn't have a lot of ball outside our own half in the first spell," All Blacks captain Richie McCaw said.
"In the second half we put them under pressure, especially chasing kicks, and got a bit of a reward for that."
Wallaby skipper Stirling Mortlock added: "We have to give the All Blacks credit tonight. They were too good.
"In big matches like this, it's the little mistakes that you make that let you down and that was the case tonight."