BULLiED

Chokers? Chokers my arse. Told you so. Told you these were men on a mission. The Wallabies play the match of their tournament but didn't get a look in. They were bullied up front. It was relentless when the All Blacks had the ball in hand. They showed why their ruck is considered the best in the game. Over the advantage line over & over again. Mealamu was a pocket battleship breaking through up the middle. The 2nd & backrows were ever present to take the ball up, relieving the pressure on Cruden. In defense Kaino was massive, highlighted by his carry on Ioane near the AB line.Owen Franks must be #1 as the world's best defensive prop, making tackle after tackle in the defensive line. From 1 to 8...the All Black pack stood up. Pocock did what he could, even producing a couple of steals, but the Australian pack was bullied at the NZ breakdown. They defended their own ruck ball like men possessed. They matched up at lineout time & won the scrum battle. Australia was lucky the All Blacks error rate was so low that they only had 6 scrum put ins,...losing 2 of those.

The Australians contained Nonu well, but his ability to make the gainline was still there, as well as his tendency to take 2 or 3 defenders. A sick Weepu fronted up well despite a poor day at the office in the goalkicking department, leaving 14pts on the field. Cruden was forever under pressure by an advancing Wallabies but with the pack being ever present to take the hit ups, and Corey Jane coming in off his wing the Australian objective to rattle the young 1st 5 wasn't realised.. Cruden himself even ghosting through the defense on a couple of occasions (though fluffing a try by cutting back in with 3 supporters outside). NZ's kicking game was as close to flawless as you can get, down the line or angled corner kicks pushing the Australians back on defence, often the restart being NZ ball. The Wallaby tactic seemed to be the high ball to Corey Jane who had undoubtedly the best day you will have ever seen under the high ball taking these with apparent ease, kick after kick. Copy book stuff. Dagg at the back was a constant threat. It now seems a given that when he runs that ball back he will light up the stadium. Gaps appear where there were no gaps. Forget superstar in the making, this kid is a superstar already. If he wasn't running he was returning favour with some booming touch finders.

In my match preview I said the chokers' tag is what will inspire these guys. You saw from the word go this team has a mental resolve. They controlled the game. Defending they trusted their defensive plan & chose to fan out cutting down space for the young exciting Wallabies, while biding their time to grab a ruck turnover. They minimised the penalties against them. Aussie looked dangerous only from quick turnover ball but such was the All Blacks' intent at their own ruck they minimised these opportunities & the Wallabies were often forced into a kicking game that came back to haunt them. Dagg & Jane were a sideshow to the main event but Australia were a glutton for punishment, feeding them time & time again.

This was truly a 15 man performance (black mark on Sonny Bill making a cameo long enough to get carded and leaving the ABs to battle out the dying minutes with 14 causing a few jitters amongst the fans & coaches alike). Forget world cup history and judge this team for what they have brought to the table to date. Stamp that cup now.