Jeremy Guscott: All Blacks show they are team to beat once again
With Dan Carter out injured and Richie McCaw the Kiwi captain just returning from a seven-month break the Wallabies must have thought this was a great opportunity to catch the Kiwis cold, but it was quite the opposite because the All Blacks scored within two minutes of the game starting.
The New Zealanders turned a ball over within a few phases of the kick-off and, before you knew it, Ben Smith was over in the corner for the first of his three tries in this match.
The Kiwis scored three tries in the first half to the Aussies’ one but Christian Leali’ifano’s impeccable penalty kicking kept them in the game and if it wasn’t for Australia giving away a sloppy penalty on 40 minutes they would have gone in 22-19 down instead of 25-19.
Will Genia’s 81-metre try on 38 minutes really brought the Aussies back into the game, but giving away that penalty took the edge of a good fight back.
Again you got the feeling the Aussies might produce something special when they got off to the start they needed by gaining three quick second-half points with Lealiifano kicking a penalty to rub out the Kiwi penalty at the end of the first half and so making it a three point game.
But the Kiwis struck back in their own inimitable way by scoring two tries in the space of six minutes, the first by Conrad Smith and the second by Ben Smith, and, at 37-22, that was effectively the match over.
Australia were looking to the new boy fly-half Matt Toomua, picked ahead of Quade Cooper, to produce some consistency and bring the best out of an exciting Aussie backline. He worked well with Genia, calling the shots and moving his attack where he wanted, but sloppy errors prevented the Aussies from gaining any sustained momentum. He should be given another opportunity to start ahead of Cooper, he has talent and shouldn’t be prevented from progressing.
The Aussies played too much rugby in their own half and when you keep making mistakes in your own half the world champions will punish you – and they did.
Michael Hooper, the Aussie openside more than aquitted himself against Richie McCaw. He beat McCaw to the breakdown on a lot of occasions and turned over the Kiwis, but he needed more support from Ben Mowen and Hugh McMeniman. Genia was at his brilliant best and his contest against Aaron Smith, who got much better service from his forwards, was close run.
Leali’ifano has continued where he left off, knocking over his penalty opportunities comfortably. His partnership with Adam Ashley-Cooper in the midfield worked reasonably well given they didn’t have many chances to show their class.
James O’Connor showed glimpses of his potential on the wing although his schoolboy error allowed Ben Smith a walk-in opening try. O’Connor stepped in when he could have stayed on Smith – if you come in you must make the hit.
His consolation try shows us that when Australia get good quick ball they have the talent to hurt teams.
Jesse Mogg had an iffy game at full-back, the Aussies certainly do miss Kurtley Beale, but will probably continue with Mogg much in the same way as Toomua – it’s harsh to drop them so early in their careers.
Aaron Cruden started in place of Carter and did his job well as he did recently against the French. He didn’t make any mistakes and deserved his try when he charged down Leali’ifano’s attempted clearance.
We didn’t see enough of Folau, he’s still working out how he can get more involved when his team don’t have the asendency. It will take time but he must find a way to fast-track this development so he gets the ball more. It’s not quite as simple as getting him the ball, he has to hunt it down sometimes rather than just expect it to be hand delivered.
The Aussies have to re-think some of their tactics. Against the Lions this summer they played too much rugby in their own half but have continued this practice. I don’t see any merit in messing around in your own half against a defensive unit like the Kiwis. Attempt a couple of get-outs and, if that doesn’t work, exit through kicking with a very good chase.
Given decent front foot ball I have no doubt this Aussie backline could cause damage but they have to be more precise on where to take the risks. Ashley-Cooper made a great bust in the first half between Ma’a Nonu and Conrad Smith but lack of support prevented a score being made.
The new scrum laws were in action and referee Craig Joubert had no problem penalising the crooked feed which was very reassuring.
The All Blacks didn’t seem to fire at their best but their scoring spouts did the job, Cruden and McCaw scored within three minutes of each other in the first half and the Conrad Smith-Ben Smith double within six minutes of each other in the second half kept the Aussies out of touching distance.
It’s hard to see the result changing next week because this All Black side doesn’t make many mistakes and should improve, plus playing at home will be an advantage.
