RUGBY/New Zealand 39 Australia 10: NEW ZEALAND'S pack gave one of their best performances since the current coaching staff took over in Saturday's belting of Australia, according to All Blacks assistant coach Steve Hansen.
The Kiwi pack was transformed from the one that surrendered to Australia in Sydney last month, the return of inspirational captain Richie McCaw adding aggression and accuracy. They dominated at set pieces and the breakdown.
Hansen said the display from the pack was one of the best since the coaching team took control following the 2003 World Cup.
"The Test match in Wellington against the Springboks was good, and France in 2004 was pretty good, so it would be in one of the top three or four performances," he said.
"Probably the best thing is that we were under a lot of pressure, and it was a group of young people as well. For those guys to experience that and come through on the other side I think is really good for them."
The All Blacks lineout, often a source of problems in the past few years, won nine out of 10 on their own throw while also securing half of the Wallabies' 16 lineouts.
While the win was satisfying, Hansen said the squad was trying not to get carried away ahead of away games against Australia and South Africa. He said South Africa, despite sitting last on the table, were best placed for the remainder of the competition with three home games left.
"We're in charge of our own destiny; if we can win the remaining games then we've got a big show," Hansen said.
Certainly Australia are unlikely to be relishing the thought of two tough games in South Africa. This defeat means they have not won away from home in the Tri-Nations since 2001.
"When you've got three sides who are consistently in the top four in the world playing each other at home it's tough - you're going to lose games," Hansen said, adding the team would take a few days before selecting the 26-man squad to travel to Cape Town for the Test on August 16th.
The only injury concerns are winger Rudi Wulf (knee) and fullback Leon MacDonald (concussion).
All Blacks outhalf Dan Carter had an outstanding night with the boot, kicking five penalties and two conversions for a tally of 19 points.
New Zealand played like a team desperate to win, showing plenty of aggression at the breakdown and in defence, while kicking astutely for territory. In contrast the Wallabies saw too little of the ball and spent too much of the match in their own half.
Loosehead prop Tony Woodcock scored two tries within four minutes midway through the first half, twice crashing over from close range. The second was a slick planned move after a lineout on Australia's five-metre line. The ball went to Ali Williams at the back and he knocked it down for Woodcock to force his way over.
New Zealand led 18-3 before Australia responded with a classy try by fullback Adam Ashley-Cooper, who was on the end of a slick backline move after a rare period of Australian pressure.
After leading 21-10 at half-time the All Blacks struck early in the second half, inside centre Ma'a Nonu crashing over after New Zealand had forced a turnover inside Australia's 22.
Nonu scored again in injury time to give New Zealand a vital four-try bonus point in the battle for the Tri-Nations crown.
NEW ZEALAND: M Muliaina; R Kahui, C Smith, M Nonu, S Sivivatu; D Carter, J Cowan; T Woodcock, A Hore, G Somerville; B Thorn, A Williams; J Kaino, R McCaw, R So'oialo. Replacements: J Afoa for Somerville (59 mins), K Mealamu for Hore (67 mins), A Tuitavake for Smith (69 mins), P Weepu for Cowan (73 mins), S Donald for Kahui, A Thomson for Kaino (both 75 mins), A Boric for Thorn (78 mins).
AUSTRALIA: A Ashley-Cooper; P Hynes, S Mortlock, B Barnes, L Tuqiri; M Giteau, L Burgess; B Robinson, S Moore, A Baxter; J Horwill, N Sharpe; P Waugh, G Smith, W Palu. Replacements: D Mitchell for Ashley-Cooper (42 mins), T Polota-Nau for Moore, D Vickerman for Sharpe (both 52 mins), H McMeniman for Waugh (59 mins), R Cross for Barnes (75 mins), .
Referee: M Lawrence (South Africa).
