ID :
199512
Sat, 08/06/2011 - 15:19
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/199512
The shortlink copeid
Wallabies hoodoo continues at Eden Park
The Wallabies' hoodoo ground turned a full-blown graveyard as their 2011 Bledisloe Cup hopes died a gruesome 30-14 death at Eden Park on Saturday night.
The All Blacks defended their Auckland fortress ruthlessly to deliver Australia's 12th straight defeat at the ground in 25 years to emphatically show why they deserve World Cup favouritism.
In what was billed as a World Cup dress rehearsal at the October 23 final venue, New Zealand's most experienced team in history put the brash Wallabies youngsters in their places.
They produced an almost perfect first half to lead 17-0 at the break and finished with three tries to two to hold the Bledisloe Cup for the ninth straight year.
It put a halt to rising Wallabies pre-World Cup momentum and leaves coach Robbie Deans with a huge task to ensure his youngsters can bridge a significant gap before next month's tournament kick-off.
Eden Park first-timer Quade Cooper struggled under the pressure at times, as did goalkicker James O'Connor, who missed three penalty attempts in the first 41 minutes in his kicking debut at Eden Park.
Other Wallabies youngsters in their first Auckland Tests were also rattled as New Zealand's biggest crowd of the modern era of 55,000 roared at every slip-up in the 22nd straight home win at their bastion.
The All Blacks burst out of the blocks to lead 10-0 after nine minutes and, when it was 17-0 after half an hour, the game was as good as gone.
Australia had their chances, and more possession in the attacking half but, as hard as they probed, just couldn't convert.
The All Blacks' defence under pressure was superb, a cornerstone for the victory, holding out the Wallabies for 14 consecutive phases in their 22 early on to set the tone.
In contrast, the Wallabies couldn't hold out the ruthless Kiwis when they had a sniff near the line.
Centre Ma'a Nonu shrugged off Adam Ashley-Cooper and Rocky Elsom to dive over in the eighth minute to finish a raid sparked by Piri Weepu while, similarly, Keven Mealamu burrowed over shortly after another Weepu blind-side raid.
Australia's attack wasn't predictable or slow but New Zealand's patient, smart and disciplined defence twice forced five-eighth Cooper into low percentage cross-field kicks which never paid off.
Direct rival Dan Carter delivered a five-star performance to underline his standing as the world's best playmaker, starring in attack, defence and slotting six from six with the boot.
Ironically, Australia's pre-match problem area, the scrum, held firm but they paid dearly for the All Blacks' superiority at the restarts.
When Digby Ioane, Australia's best by far, revived some hope with a brilliant counter-attacking try in the 51st minute, it was an immediate hit-back off the kick-off which snuffed out any thought of a comeback.
No.8 Kieran Read forced a fumble from Ashley-Cooper and Conrad Smith swooped to put Sitiveni Sivivatu over for a 27-7 lead.
Captain Elsom did add some scoreline respectability by crossing late following good lead-up work by Cooper and Pat McCabe.
The All Blacks defended their Auckland fortress ruthlessly to deliver Australia's 12th straight defeat at the ground in 25 years to emphatically show why they deserve World Cup favouritism.
In what was billed as a World Cup dress rehearsal at the October 23 final venue, New Zealand's most experienced team in history put the brash Wallabies youngsters in their places.
They produced an almost perfect first half to lead 17-0 at the break and finished with three tries to two to hold the Bledisloe Cup for the ninth straight year.
It put a halt to rising Wallabies pre-World Cup momentum and leaves coach Robbie Deans with a huge task to ensure his youngsters can bridge a significant gap before next month's tournament kick-off.
Eden Park first-timer Quade Cooper struggled under the pressure at times, as did goalkicker James O'Connor, who missed three penalty attempts in the first 41 minutes in his kicking debut at Eden Park.
Other Wallabies youngsters in their first Auckland Tests were also rattled as New Zealand's biggest crowd of the modern era of 55,000 roared at every slip-up in the 22nd straight home win at their bastion.
The All Blacks burst out of the blocks to lead 10-0 after nine minutes and, when it was 17-0 after half an hour, the game was as good as gone.
Australia had their chances, and more possession in the attacking half but, as hard as they probed, just couldn't convert.
The All Blacks' defence under pressure was superb, a cornerstone for the victory, holding out the Wallabies for 14 consecutive phases in their 22 early on to set the tone.
In contrast, the Wallabies couldn't hold out the ruthless Kiwis when they had a sniff near the line.
Centre Ma'a Nonu shrugged off Adam Ashley-Cooper and Rocky Elsom to dive over in the eighth minute to finish a raid sparked by Piri Weepu while, similarly, Keven Mealamu burrowed over shortly after another Weepu blind-side raid.
Australia's attack wasn't predictable or slow but New Zealand's patient, smart and disciplined defence twice forced five-eighth Cooper into low percentage cross-field kicks which never paid off.
Direct rival Dan Carter delivered a five-star performance to underline his standing as the world's best playmaker, starring in attack, defence and slotting six from six with the boot.
Ironically, Australia's pre-match problem area, the scrum, held firm but they paid dearly for the All Blacks' superiority at the restarts.
When Digby Ioane, Australia's best by far, revived some hope with a brilliant counter-attacking try in the 51st minute, it was an immediate hit-back off the kick-off which snuffed out any thought of a comeback.
No.8 Kieran Read forced a fumble from Ashley-Cooper and Conrad Smith swooped to put Sitiveni Sivivatu over for a 27-7 lead.
Captain Elsom did add some scoreline respectability by crossing late following good lead-up work by Cooper and Pat McCabe.
