All Blacks defence too much for Wallabies

A solid defensive effort by the All Blacks created a 30-14 win over Australia in their Tri-Nations clash yesterday, giving their self-belief a boost in the countdown to the World Cup.

It was a far from perfect performance by the All Blacks who allowed the Wallabies an advantage with possession.

But while Australian attacks were swiftly shut down for most of the match the All Blacks, with Richie McCaw, Piri Weepu and Dan Carter to the fore, were able to find holes around the Australian ruck and out wide.

The three tries to two victory in the clash of the world’s top two sides ensured the All Blacks retained the Bledisloe Cup, the symbol of trans-Tasman superiority, which they have held since 2003.

It also left them on track for an 11th Tri-Nations title in the 16-year history of the competition and gave an insight into the game they are working on for the World Cup which starts in New Zealand next month.

“I thought the defence was outstanding,” said All Blacks coach Graham Henry while playing down any psychological edge it could give them going into the World Cup.

“I think there’s far too many occasions in the past where (a Tri-Nations win) hasn’t amounted to a result in the Rugby World Cup so if we get complacent about this victory it will be curtains I’d say,” Henry warned.

The Wallabies did finish the stronger of the two sides as the pace of the game told on several All Blacks having their first run since the Super 15 series, but Wallabies coach Robbie Deans said the damage had been done by then.

“Tactically we didn’t help ourselves. We allowed the All Blacks to establish the D (defence) line and really create some linespeed in their defence and stymie our attack.

“We left a lot of points out there as well. We lacked a bit of patience in the way and where we attacked.”

England beat Wales

At Twickenham, England held off a spirited Wales 23-19 to win their opening World Cup warm-up match.

But both sides suffered injuries just weeks before the showpiece tournament in New Zealand.

Wales outscored England three tries to two, coming from 20-7 behind to set up a grandstand finish when wing George North crossed for the second of his two scores with four minutes left.

But, not for the first time, England great Jonny Wilkinson’s kicking proved the difference in the scores with the fly-half landing two conversions, a penalty and two drop-goals in front of a crowd of more than 80,000.

Wales had earlier seen Morgan Stoddart carried off on a stretcher with a broken leg that has shattered his World Cup hopes.

England captain Lewis Moody, who missed the Six Nations, also exited in the second half with what looked like a recurrence of the flanker’s knee injury.

Wales suffered a setback shortly before kick-off when veteran fly-half Stephen Jones had to pull out through injury.

Test matches
England vs Wales 23-19; Scotland vs Ireland 10-6.