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Sun 16 Oct 2011 | 03:19
Rugby World Cup Daily - All Blacks outplay the Wallabies

16
Comments

The All Blacks produced a high intensity eighty minutes performance as they outplayed the Wallabies at Eden Park in the second Rugby World Cup Semi Final. The convincing 20-6 win sees them reach the final, where they will meet France next weekend, the same opposition as in 1987.

A 9pm kick off kept Graham Henry up but it was worth it as his side turned things on when they mattered most. Captain Richie McCaw led from the front with his best match of the tournament, while counterpart David Pocock was far less affective this weekend.

"They were fabulous, weren't they?", Henry said. "They showed huge character. From minute to minute they gave 100 percent, they gave everything, they were just outstanding."

The All Blacks are on the brink of repeating their success of 24 years ago, and for Henry, that is attributed to what they've put in since he was almost sacked after they went out in 2007.

"Four years of planning, I suppose. Four years of guys being frustrated and wanting to do the job, four years of trying to get things right," he said. 

The third place playoff will take place on Friday, featuring the same two sides that contested it at the inaugral tournament in 1987, Wales and Australia. The final will be on Sunday.

Elsewhere, Sam Warburton has been suspended for three weeks following an enquiry into his sending off against France yesterday. IRB referees manager Paddy O'Brien said that Alain Rolland's decision to red card Warburton was "absolutely correct in law and in keeping with the clear instructions that match officials have received in recent years regarding dangerous tackling".

You can view highlights of both semi finals on the Rugby World Cup offical website here

Read Will Greenwood's betting tips and get a free £20 bet, plus up to £1000 in cashback

Posted By: Grant Constable

16 Comments

  • gunshowmckenzie
    5:07 PM 18/10/2011

    Lol, cracked me up.

  • uhtiger
    11:16 PM 17/10/2011

    Was nowhere near forward.

  • lnd
    2:42 PM 17/10/2011

    given that this game was tense and exciting yet not partcularly free flowing or full of running can we now assume that kiwis and aussies have a newly established profound respect for the way the game is usually played in the northern hemisphere? This looked like a typical 6N game to me.

  • stroudos
    1:05 PM 17/10/2011

    Very good! Not sure it needed to be posted four times, but very good all the same.

  • tccalvin
    12:21 PM 17/10/2011

    The IRB has released some information regarding law changes in 2015:

    http://i53.tinypic.com/2ahguj9.jpg

    Looking good.

  • tccalvin
    11:11 AM 17/10/2011

    What a boring game.

    Reminds me of England of old (only minus the accurate goal kicking), which of course you would have describd as workmanlike, forward orientated and boring. As opposed to intense and fabulous.

  • katman
    9:08 AM 17/10/2011

    Joubert blew a great game and was subsequently handed the whistle for the final. So you must be winding people up here.

  • jeri
    7:27 AM 17/10/2011

    Agreed, ProudKiwi and Paimoe. I can't help but frown at the news of kiwis being loud and abusive couple of weeks ago. Totally unbefitting for such a festive event. We maybe a small country but our heart is bigger than that.

    It was a well played game last night, and the All Blacks couldn't have put in such a good performance if it weren't for the worthy rival in front of them. Good game to both teams, and good luck for your final games in the tournament in the coming days.

  • paimoe
    1:16 AM 17/10/2011

    Agree with some of the sportsmanship. I think we have enough just having the win, we don't really gain anything by intentionally rubbing it in to Aus.

    I do think that Aus is a heavy contender for the 2015 cup based on the fact they're a young team which will get better.

    On to the final!

  • mendorugger
    10:48 PM 16/10/2011

    boo hoo, blame it on the ref, thats original. Even Aussies said they got outplayed. Quade who? Aussie fans are gonna be crapin feathers for a month from all that crow they were forced to eat

  • paimoe
    10:00 PM 16/10/2011

    :D

  • buzzkillington
    8:07 PM 16/10/2011

    Lol, by the sounds of it most the French team would be removed from the game if they palyed like that in 2011!

  • buzzkillington
    7:21 PM 16/10/2011

    If I'm an All Black fan I'm a little concerned right now about the reactions from the players. It was a brilliant performance but there's a game to go. France will be licking their lips

  • 7:01 PM 16/10/2011

    Unfortunately, it wouldn't have.

    Berrick Barnes still would have kicked the ball almost every time he got it, giving up possession; Australia still would have had no one who could compete at catching high ball; and they still would have been slightly worse than NZ in the scrum. The only place Australia seemed better than the ABs - and not even consistently - was the lineout.

    Did Joubert miss out on (many) opportunities to ping the Kiwis in the breakdown? Yeah. And staying up late to catch the game, I was pretty pissed every time he did (especially because he managed to blow the whistle most of the times Australia were infringing).

    But don't kid yourself. That's nowhere near the reason Australia failed to compete with New Zealand. The Wallabies looked like they lacked ambition and didn't seem able to adapt and change things up when what they were doing wasn't working. No team really seems to have the drive to stop NZ's dominance, and, for me, it's all become a bit boring.

    The one plus side from the match, though, was Quade Cooper getting smashed in some tackles. He did well to regain some confidence later in the match, but I enjoyed seeing him get rocked and looking insecure. Too bad Deans is so in love with Cooper he failed to bring any backup who may have instilled a bit more solid tactics in the side.

  • tccalvin
    6:43 PM 16/10/2011

    Not enough red cards.

  • sjflaher
    6:42 PM 16/10/2011

    That was the World Cup final right there. I reckon next week is just going to be an 80 minute victory lap for the ABs.

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