All Blacks save the best for last

Yahoo!Xtra Sport / Mike Kilpatrick in Wellington - September 19, 2009, 9:23 pm
All Blacks save the best for last Getty Images ©

The All Blacks have capped their 2009 Tri-nations campaign in fine style with a deserved 33-6 win over the Wallabies in Wellington.

The mistakes which have plagued their previous performances this season were banished in a display of attacking rugby that barely gave their fancied visitors a look in.

Richie McCaw led from the front as usual, but it was Cory Jane and Isaia Toeava who proved their worth with strong performances against an Australian backline who impressed so much against the Springboks two weeks ago.

Two late tries capped the fine win, with Joe Rokocoko's late effort especially sweet for the under-pressure winger.

Here's how Yahoo!Xtra scored the All Blacks:

1. Tony Woodcock- Pinged at first scrum but solid after that. Tackles like a rabid mutt and really put the pressure on as the game progressed. 7

2. Andrew Hore - First lineout overthrown but it stuck after that and he's always tough with the pill in hand. 7

3. Neemia Tialata - Solid but nothing spectacular from the recalled prop. Good with ball in hand. Replaced by John Afoa in the 52nd minute. 6

4. Brad Thorn - The rugged campaigner bashed the ball up like a youngster and showed he's still a force to be reckoned with. 7

5. Tom Donnelly - Didn't claim his first lineout but tackled brilliantly on Rocky Elsom to earn penalty. Solid debut and replaced with 14 minutes left. 6

6. Adam Thomson - Added something compared to Jerome Kaino last week. Visible all round the field. Replaced by Rodney So'oialo with seven minutes left. 8

7. Richie McCaw(c) - Led from the front, always dangerous with ball in hand and tackled brilliantly. A true leader. 8

8. Kieran Read - Took the ball up well and the lineout was solid so he can take some credit there. 7

9. Jimmy Cowan - Ponderous at the ruck early and made some tactical kicking errors. Still looking a little short of his best. 6

10. Daniel Carter - Missed easy penalty attempt early but kicked well after that. Failed to chase a couple of his own kicks but still strong. 7

11. Josevata Rokocoko - Nice early run and got more involved than in previous tests. May have saved a try late on in the first half and he got a deserved try in the last minute. 7

12. Ma'a Nonu - A quiet first period but always hard to put down. Scored a fantastic try to put the icing on the cake. 7

13. Isaia Toeava - Fantastic break from early tap penalty and looked strong. The old mistakes crept back in with the yellow card but he made a real difference with his play. 8

14. Cory Jane - Fantastic high-ball take early on. Scored a brilliant try, his all round play was a level above what's been seen this season and he can be confident of starting many more tests. Replaced with 20 minutes left. 9

15. Malili Muliaina - Still not quite on his game. Always solid under the high ball but decision making wasn't always the quickest. 6

Replacements:

16. Aled de Malmanche - The briefest of cameos for the Chief after replacing Hore with 90 seconds left.
17. John Afoa - Replaced Tialata in the 52nd minutes. Solid. 6
18. Jason Eaton - Came on for debutant Donnelly with 14 minutes left. Stole two lineouts to stake his claim. 7
19. Rodney So'oialo - On for the last seven minutes.
20. Brendon Leonard - Replaced Cowan with just over 10 minutes left.
21. Stephen Donald - Didn't get on the paddock.
22. Hosea Gear - Replaced Cory Jane in the 59th minute. Didn't get much of a chance to run.

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4 Comments

  1. Keshaw 02:49pm Sunday 20th September 2009 EST Report Abuse

    Where is the so called sport expert Mike Kilpatrick now ? Joe was fantastic. Did you hear Graham's comment on Joe after the match? We dont need your stupid and biased comments on any of the All Blacks Mike. Just bugger off !!!!!

  2. deejay2020 09:08am Sunday 20th September 2009 EST Report Abuse

    Don't get too carried away,like last week when the All Blacks did'nt turn up,this week the aussies did'nt turn up.

  3. Peter 05:52am Sunday 20th September 2009 EST Report Abuse

    The rating for Mikes blog earlier this week...0. Got it so wrong but have'nt seen him admit it yet. Well done ABs. Great game to watch. All your true fans knew you had it in you and kept the faith!!

  4. tommietickles 05:13am Sunday 20th September 2009 EST Report Abuse

    Certainly a big step up from last weeks performance. Certainly will keep the monkeys off the coaches backs well for the time being anyway.

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