WOOT! ALL BLACKS 27. WALLABIES 19. – RUGBY NEWS BLEDISLOE CUP 1st TEST MATCH

The All Blacks Hold on to beat Wallabies: Bledisloe Cup First Test Match: Fulltime: Wallabies 19 All Blacks 27 - “Daniel Carter makes sure the Wallabies don’t get the bonus point for a close finish.

Deserved win for the visitors but not a match to relive,” due to: “5o minutes into match: This is starting to sound like a netball game. Twenty penalties in the game thus far with half hour to go.”–David Agnew.TVNZ.

Max Kool! Photo: France24.

- – -

Bonus Commentary:

NZ Herald: All Blacks edge past Wallabies: The All Blacks have made a winning start to their 2012 Rugby Championship campaign with a hard fought 27-19 win over Australia at ANZ Stadium in Sydney tonight.

The All Blacks outscored the Wallabies two tries to one in a gritty, error-ridden match due to handling errors, knock-ons and penalties featuring more prominently than the slick running rugby that the 70,000 crowd was hoping for.

The one area where the All Blacks really stood out was the breakdown, Keven Mealamu and Owen Franks poured into every one with such enthusiasm and desire that Australia struggled to find an answer.”–Steven Holloway.

Sydney Morning Herald: “The Wallabies had their nice touches but there [sic] too many nasty moments and that led to their downfall. And, as expected, the Wallabies’ lack of midfield thrust proved a major hurdle. Yet again they found try-scoring a near impossible  chore. It’s now a measly six tries from five Tests this season.”–SMH.

[Israel Dagg with ball. Photo Anthony Johnson. SMH]

All Blacks: 27 (Israel Dagg, Cory Jane tries; Dan Carter 5 pen con). Wallabies: 19 (Nathan Sharpe try; Berrick Barnes 4 pen con)

Halftime: 18-10

Referee: Alain Rolland. Crowd: 76,877.

Extra video link – Stuff. Top left: Simon Alekna – Photo. SMH.

~Posted by Horiwoodblog, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific, 18.8.12~