Goodes' catch and sprint down wing

Ref Cam makes Top 14 debut

Top Five 'Don't Argues' of All Time

Rob Cook's bizarre kicking technique

Lionel Beauxis incredible skill vs Bath

Huge hit by Linda Itunu at USA Sevens

Flanker gets away with sneaky slap

Tom Varndell sneaks in for great try

Opeti Fonua smashes Chris Masoe in 2010

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Rugby World Cup Daily - All Blacks outplay the Wallabies

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 at 3:19 pm | 26 comments

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Viewing 26 comments

Guest October 16, 2011 4:48 pm

Outplayed? Please, if Joubert had caught at least half of the all black ruck infringements that went unpunished the score would have been much closer.

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i love bacon October 16, 2011 6:01 pm

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.

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mendorugger October 16, 2011 9:48 pm

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

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katman October 17, 2011 8:08 am

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

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sjflaher October 16, 2011 5:42 pm

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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TCCalvin October 16, 2011 5:43 pm

Not enough red cards.

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GunshowMckenzie October 18, 2011 4:07 pm

Lol, cracked me up.

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BuzzKillington October 16, 2011 6:21 pm

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

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Talent October 16, 2011 6:27 pm

I'd like to see a replay, from different angles, of the first AB try. It looked a bit forward to me. It wouldn't have made much difference to the result I know. Usually we get a whole raft of replays, it just seemed a bit sus, is all?

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UHtiger October 17, 2011 10:16 pm

Was nowhere near forward.

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Talent October 17, 2011 10:21 pm

Hi Tiger, well I'll just take your word for it seeing as no-one is going to show any links to vid. Cheers....

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BEZIERS 1970 October 16, 2011 6:41 pm

oh yes bring us some choked kiwis. I reckon France will have to play like in Nantes: read this boyyyys "Later in 1986, the bans served, the full All Blacks toured France. They won the first Test, in Toulouse, 19–7. Their next match, at Nantes, became known as "the battle of Nantes".[22] France played aggressively and tried to intimidate the All Blacks. All Black Buck Shelford had his scrotum rucked in the twentieth minute that required stitches while he was still on the field. He was later knocked out, losing several teeth in the process, and did not finish the match.[23] The aggressive display by France paid off and they won 16–3."

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BuzzKillington October 16, 2011 7:07 pm

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

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paimoe October 16, 2011 9:00 pm

:D

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Four More Years! October 16, 2011 10:17 pm

Whinging Matilda, Whinging Matilda
You’ll come a-Whinging Matilda, with me
And they whinged and they whined, cause Aussies can’t catch the ball
You’ll come a-Whinging Matilda with me

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Proud Kiwi October 16, 2011 11:34 pm

Really stoked with the performance, our forwards really stood up at the breakdown McCaw and Mealamu in particular played blinders, Jane came up big under the high ball. A bit sad to see a few to many kiwis trash talking, one we haven't won the world cup yet lets not get ahead of ourselves, and two its this kind of poor sportsmanship that's gotten New Zealand hating Australia recently, why would we want to act the same way ourselves? Aussie played hard and kept the game tight, I feel we just brought more intensity than them. Australia, like Wales, have an up and coming side and will be strong in the future. I can't lie it felt amazing to see Cooper yet again fail spectacularly, I respect the rest of the side, but Cooper is scum, karma is a beautiful thing.

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paimoe October 17, 2011 12:16 am

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!

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GuestyGuest October 17, 2011 5:41 am

Now can someone explain to me why Deans didn't bring Matt Giteau along?

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Jeri October 17, 2011 6:27 am

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.

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TCCalvin October 17, 2011 10:11 am

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.

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JG October 17, 2011 10:56 am

Brilliant game, kept me on the edge of the seat for the full 80. Even though I am an all blacks fan through and through I have a lot of respect for the Aussies (apart from QC). Horwill showed tremendous humility and sportsmanship in his teams defeat.

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TCCalvin October 17, 2011 11:21 am

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

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

Looking good.

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stroudos October 17, 2011 12:05 pm

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

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bobby October 17, 2011 12:26 pm

Looking forward to the final, in light of Kiwis threatening to pull out of 2015 and then player's reactions:

"You can't have a World Cup without the All Blacks, without any of the top nations. They've all got to be there just to make it a legit World Cup," wing Richard Kahui said.

Does this mean New Zealand's only world cup win in 1987 is illegitimate because South Africa weren't there.

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LND October 17, 2011 1:42 pm

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.

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Talent October 23, 2011 10:54 am

Good game, good game. I think even the most ardent Kiwi fan will have to agree that the best team on the field today.... LOST.... and I'm no French fan!

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