QANTAS WALLABIES GALLANT IN CLOSE DEFEAT TO NEW ZEALAND
Photo: Werner Nysschen Photography
The Qantas Wallabies have been defeated by the All Blacks at the death 29 to 28 at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane on Saturday night in front of a crowd of 45 186.
The defeat is the first on home soil for the Qantas Wallabies this year and means that the Bledisloe Cup series has been won by New Zealand 2-0.
The Match:
The Wallabies started the match with great intent as the Australian backs tested their hands with fast passes, but some inconsistent handling cost the men in gold early opportunities.
The Wallabies defence was tested early and on multiple occasions but they repelled the early attacks of New Zealand.
A break through the New Zealand defence created by Christian Leali’ifano allowed the Wallabies to enter New Zealand’s defensive zone and ultimately Nick Phipps to dart through New Zealand’s defence, scoring the opening try of the match in the 11th minute.
A knock on from the kick off by New Zealand went unnoticed by officials and the All Blacks took advantage, striking back immediately to level the score at 7-7.
Australia dominated possession and territory and, despite options for penalty goal, decided to continue to attack and put pressure on New Zealand at the set piece.
Captain Michael Hooper pointed to the posts in the 32nd minute to give Bernard Foley the chance to convert a penalty, taking Australia’s lead to 10-7.
New Zealand responded quickly with a try to Dan Coles, but it was the home nation’s efforts that brought the crowd to rapturous applause just minutes later.
After a fearless run from Hooper, flyhalf Bernard Foley put the ball down in the corner, taking the score to 15-12 at half time in favour of the men in gold.
Australia started the second half in fine form with Adam Ashley-Cooper, playing his 100th Test match for the Wallabies, crashing over for a try after some brilliant work from James Slipper and Israel Folau.
Australia extended its lead to ten points with Foley’s successful conversion (22-12).
The match continued its frenetic pace and the Wallabies defence, despite being tested, held out New Zealand. A successful penalty kick from Beauden took the score to 22-15.
The work rate of the Wallabies at the breakdown was intense and Australia used their advantage to kick a penalty from right in front to bring the score to 25-15.
Aaron Smith capitalised on a New Zealand penalty in the Wallabies defensive zone in the 68th minute to score and bring the deficit to three with Australia holding onto its slim lead of 25-22.
With the clock hitting five minutes to go in the final Bledisloe Cup Test of 2014, Australia was given a penalty 45 metres out. Replacement scrumhalf Nic White converted the points to take the score to 28-22 in favour of Australia.
Australia desperately tried to hold out wave after wave of New Zealand attack but eventually Malakai Fekitoa crossed for the try in the final seconds of the match.
Beauden Barrett successfully converted the kick, breaking Wallabies and Australian fans’ hearts as New Zealand took the match 29-28.
New Zealand 29 (Cory Jane, Dane Coles, Malakai Fekitoa, Aaron Smith tries; Beauden Barrett (2) cons; Beauden Barrett pens) defeated Australia 28 (Nick Phipps, Bernard Foley, Adam Ashley-Cooper tries; Bernard Foley (2) cons; Bernard Foley (2), Nic White pens)
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