All Blacks steal it at the death

New Zealand left it late, but managed to beat Australia 29-28 in a thrilling Bledisloe Cup Test in Brisbane on Saturday.

The All Blacks, although having looked vulnerable again, bounced back from their loss to South Africa by stealing the game in the 82nd minute – when replacement Colin Slate converted a Malakai Fekitoa try after the Wallabies had lead for most of the match.

It was a game of great entertainment and exciting expansive rugby. But most of all, it was in the balance till the end.

As for the Wallabies, they will be heartbroken at a third consecutive loss, but will be heartened by the quality of a much-improved performance.

The Wallaby scrum was under constant pressure, with James Slipper coughing up a number of penalties. The home team's line-outs were also not always as accurate as what they would have liked.

However, the Wallabies still managed to find enough possession and they had earmarked the Beauden Barrett-Malakai Fekitoa combination as a defensive weakness – targeting that area as an option to exploit … with some success.

The other aspect that worked for the Wallabies was their ability to change the point of attack often, although their restarts left a lot to be desired.

What the All Blacks did better than the Wallabies was to hold onto the ball when it mattered most – in the closing stages.

Both teams conceded some early penalties, but the most telling aspect was the tempo and enthusiasm they injected into the game.

After the All Blacks had looked threatening, a breakout from Christian Lealiifano got the Wallabies down the other end of the field.

And after some patient phase-play scrumhalf Nick Phipps sniped around a ruck for the opening try in the 13th minute. Bernard Foley made it a 7-0 lead with the conversion.

But, as you have come to expect, the All Blacks hit back straight away – the Wallabies ailed to control the restart and some quick recycling saw Cory Jane over in the right corner. Beauden Barrett made no mistake with the touchline conversion – 7-all.

The Wallabies applied pressure for some time and All Black captain Richie McCaw received a warning for repeated breakdown offences, before Foley reclaimed the lead just after the half-our mark.

However, the All Blacks again hit back through another restart error by the Wallabies. After a few phases hooker Dane Coles produced some sublime stepping and a great run for New Zealand's second try. Barrett couldn't add the extras, but the Kiwis had the lead (12-10) for the first time.

This time the Wallabies didn't take that long to get back on the board. It was another patient build-up, before Bernard Folau picked up from a ruck a metre out an went over in the left corner. His conversion attempt just drifted wide, but the Wallabies took a crucial 15-10 lead into the half-time break.

And that lead became 10 points (22-12) three minutes into the second half, when Adam Ashley-Cooper scored a try in his 100th Test – although he had to thank his teammates for the hard work they did on the build-up. Foley added the conversion.

Barrett managed to pull three points back in the 53rd minute, after Phipps was caught out at a ruck.

However, two incidents in quick succession had a huge influence on the game – first a Wallaby scrum dominating the All Blacks and then replacement Patrick Tuipulotu getting yellow-carded for dangerously attacking an opponent in the air. The first allowed Foley to stretch the lead back to 10 points (25-15).

You would not expect an All Black team to raise the white flag and they certainly did not. They came back strongly in the final quarter, with Aaron Smith taking a quick tap from a penalty and sniping over before the Wallaby defence had time t regroup. The conversion made it a three-point game  22-25.

Nic White gave his team some breathing space with penalty four minutes from time.

However, six points was not a big enough lead.

As we have come to expect the All Black came back hard in the closing stages – with interpassing and hard running eventually opening a gap for Malakai Fekitoa to go over near the right corner after the hooter for full-time had already sounded. And replacement flyhalf Colin Slade calmly slotted the angled conversion to steal the win for the  All Black – 29-28.

Man of the match: Beauden Barrett attacked the advantage line often, keeping the Wallaby defence honest and showing why he is now ahead of Aaron Cruden in the pecking order. Richie McCaw was involved in so much at the breakdown and stole a couple of line-outs at crucial stages, while Brodie Retallick again display his value to the All Blacks. Israel Folau looked eager and even though he was closely watched still troubled the All Black defence at times. Tevita Kuridrani also kept testing the All Black defences and made plenty tackles. Adam Ashley-Cooper was impressive and got a try in his 100th Test. It may not have been flawless, but Nick Phipps had one of his best games in the Wallaby jumper – so often making some good decisions. However, our award goes to young Wallaby captain Michael Hooper for his relentless play and those crucial turnovers he won. He may have made the losing speech, but he was a winner through his performance.

Moment of the match: There were seven great tries. The Bernard Foley try right on the half-time hooter, when he dove over from a metre out, gave the Wallabies a crucial lead going into the break. Then there was Adam Ashley-Coopers try in the 43rf minute – which was a great way to mark your 100th Test. However, our award goes to the Colin Slade conversion in the 82nd minute, which snatched a win from the Wallabies' grasp.

Villain of the match: Liam Messam is such a talented play, but his penchant for attacking the heads of opponents and getting involved in off-the-ball stuff showed there is a nasty side to this great player. However, the real villain is replacement All Black Patrick Tuipulotu, who was yellow carded for dangerous attacking a player in the air. It could have cost his team dearly.

The scorers:

For Australia:

Tries: Phipps, Foley, Ashley-Cooper

Cons: Foley 2

Pens: Foley 2, White

For New Zealand:

Tries: Jane, Coles, A Smith, Fekitoa

Cons: Barrett 2, Slade

Pens: Barrett

Yellow car: Patrick Tuipulotu (New Zealand, 59 – foul play, attacking a player in the air)

Teams:

Wallabies: 15 Israel Folau, 14 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Christian Leali'ifano, 11 Joe Tomane, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Scott Higginbotham, 7 Michael Hooper (captain), 6 Scott Fardy, 5 Rob Simmons, 4 Sam Carter, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Saia Fainga'a, 1 James Slipper.

Replacements: 16 Josh Mann-Rea, 17 Benn Robinson, 18 Ben Alexander, 19 James Horwill, 20 Matt Hodgson, 21 Nic White, 22 Quade Cooper, 23 Rob Horne.

New Zealand: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Malakai Fekitoa, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (captain), 6 Liam Messam, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Wyatt Crockett.

Replacements: 16 Keven Mealamu, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Charlie Faumuina, 19 Patrick Tuipulotu, 20 Sam Cane, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Colin Slade, 23 Charles Piutau.

Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)

Assistant referees: Jaco Peyper (South Africa), Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)

TMO: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)

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