All Blacks 37 Wallabies 10



Talking Points:

18 Consecutive wins. A new world record. They knocked the bastard off. Now to organise a match with Cyprus after the Lions series next year to claim the outright record.

Good to see Aussie playing some good footy again. World rugby needed this to be a contest. Plenty of possession (65%) and territory (68%) for the Wallabies but lacked the finishing they’d desire to make it count. They will be glad to see the last of the AB’s for the season. I expect them to have a solid European tour, and to come back stronger next year - there’s talent there, but a poisonous coaching environment seems to be holding them back.

Controversial call. The Wallabies reversed try decision is a funny one in my mind. Unlikely that Savea was going to catch Henry Speight and make the tackle, but Haylett-Petty clearly deviated from his line to take Savea out and threw an elbow in for good mix. Had the try been awarded, and converted, a momentum swing/Wallabies confidence boost could have led to a very different second half. Basically it comes down to the difference in attitude of these two teams. The All Blacks most likely would have backed their winger to score without impeding like that. Just no need for it and it takes the ref out of the equation. Only a few mins later Dane Coles had his arm held back by Foley when attempting to ground the ball and nothing came from it - perhaps some karma from the rugby gods.

Charge downs. How many this season already!? How much work are they putting into this skill? It used to be a rarity in games but the AB’s do it on the regular. Opposing teams now either need to drop deeper for the clearance, or rush the kick, both likely eventing in territory gains for the AB’s. It’s genius.

Barrett’s kicking woes continue. He dealt with an ear infection most of the week which may have affected his balance but if that’s the case then he definitely shouldn’t have been handed the kicking tee. Barrett still seems like the way forward in the number 10 jersey so I’m sure they’re working hard on improving it, but until it’s actually better how about someone else from that starting lineup have a crack? I’m looking at you Israel Dagg/Ben Smith, can’t go much worse really.

Julian Savea and Israel Dagg just killing it on the wings. You get the feeling you could chuck any old NZ Super Rugby winger into this team and they’d score tries, such is the quality of opportunities this AB’s team are creating, but boy these two lads are doing a bang up job in taking those chances. Dagg showing he’s still got his swagger and some wheels, and the sight of Savea surging forward with a full head of steam up is once again a thing of beauty to behold.

Michael Chieka has had another rant about the ref, the All Blacks respect, and the NZ media. He’s lost the plot. Must be tough times for him with basically losing two 3-test series in one season, but thats no excuse for trying to blame the All Blacks for the cartoon of him as a clown by the NZ Herald.

As for this comment about the ref:

“Obviously I can’t say anything because they’ve got you by the throat.“

I refer you to Mr Chieka, after the Wallabies scrape past Scotland with some dubious ref decisions, in the 2015 World Cup quarterfinal:

"You have to live with the ones you get and the ones you don’t. It is what it is and you just deal with it. Because of some things that have happened to me in the past, I’ve become quite neutral on the topic of referees.”

Between this, and the Richie Mccaw grub cartoon before the World Cup final last year, Chieka seems to have a very short memory. Australia need to drop him ASAP if they’re to salvage the good work he actually did with the Wallabies and move forward from here.

Thank goodness for Nigel Owens. Overruling the TMO for Crudens clear forward pass at the end of the match. What was the TMO upstairs thinking?! It’s concerning that the guy with the technology and time to make the right decision still can’t get it right.

Player Ratings:



Ben Smith - Ben from accounts handled all the spreadsheets the Wallabies could throw at him in yet another classy performance in the 15 jersey. With impeccable decision making (plus he’s almost a blur when he puts the foot down) it’s clear to see why he is the only man to start in all 18 tests of the record winning run. 8.5/10

Israel Dagg - Tried hard to get involved but the ball gravitated more towards the other wing in this test. One poor fumble in a flowing backline move looked clumsy, as did the misread of a high ball that resulted in a shoulder falcon. A top effort to bring down Folau when he was getting dangerously close to breaching the try line was a highlight. 7/10

Ryan Crotty - Big defensive effort was needed and Crotty stood up to the challenge. Had a busy test both with the ball and without and is really settling into his groove in the AB’s midfield forming a solid partnership with ALB over the past few tests. 8/10

Anton Lienert Brown - Little eager on defence a couple of times getting caught out, particularly by Folau, but another classy effort for the youngster in the midfield. Smart snatch and pirouette for his try, could have been costly if Speight had snared that ball instead. Has been the find of the season. 7.5/10

Julian Savea - A couple of fumbles but the bus is just lethal down the sideline when he’s in the mood. Steve Hansen said earlier in the week that Savea was ready to cut loose at Eden Park, and he didn’t disappoint. The ball didn’t really go his way in the first half but the visual of the bus rampaging down the left flank and bumping through Speight and Frisby will last long in the memory. 8/10

Beauden Barrett - Pulled early in the second half for Cruden. Not his night. Given little possession & space to operate in, and lacked that creative spark we’ve come to expect now. Still battling with some goal kicking demons. Gusty conditions but still not good enough, give the kicking tee to anyone else until you’ve sorted it out please. 5/10

TJ Perenara - Electric charge down and finish for his try, his energy lifted the AB’s throughout. The hotdogging after the try doesn’t really fit the mould of this record setting team though. Nabbed a couple of turnovers and made numerous telling tackles, has seriously closed the gap between himself and Aaron Smith. 8.5/10

Kieran Read - Outstanding bounce pass pick up and no look pass to Dagg in the build up to the first try. Gave away a penalty after the Aussie try which luckily didn’t cost another 3 points. Made some crunching tackles but also got stood up on the inside by Foley leading to the reversed Wallaby try. Not a great test by his lofty standards but still led his troops to the record victory, well earned big fella. Minus half a point again for lack of drop goal attempt. 7.5/10

Matt Todd - Great effort for an old school style fetcher. Pinched a handful of nice turnovers, carried strongly and made some thunderous tackles. All whilst somehow seeming like he was everywhere on the paddock. Deserved the standing ovation from the Eden Park crowd. What luxury NZ has with Todd as a third string open side. 9/10

Jerome Kaino - Missed one early on but some other murderous tackles took the wind out of a few Wallabies lungs in another bruising effort from the old campaigner. The AB’s enforcer got stuck into anything that came near him, repelling wave after wave of attacks, but didn’t get to impose his frame much on attack. Subbed earlier than usual. 7/10

Sam Whitelock - Made plenty of tackles and got amongst the rough stuff, but the match didn’t allow his talents to shine. Toiled away for not much reward against a fired up Wallabies pack, but kept the motor ticking over right to the end. 6.5/10

Brodie Retallick - Could have started the second half with a screamer but hands like feet cost him. Not his dominant self in the physical contest, was made to work extra hard by the Wallabies pack but battled right to the final whistle, even with concussion concerns in the second half. 7.5/10

Owen Franks - Made himself known very early in the match with some crunching defence but then went missing for large parts of the match. Came off the victor in the scrum battle only moments away from a serious Wallabies scrum capitulation. The try-less record continues to extend. 7/10

Dane Coles - One slightly loose lineout throw aside, had another big game in the black number 2 jersey. Huge break away chase down of Dean Mumm rewarded Coles with yet another meat pie in the corner. Another test, another statement made for his IRB player of the year claim. 8.5/10

Joe Moody - Mad Eye Moody ticked all the satisfactory boxes without standing out. Wasn’t a match noted for props but he made some telling tackles and enjoyed the tight scrum contest. Preferred to do the majority of his work in the trenches. 7/10

(image credit: @allbacks)