All Blacks Play Classic Game in Bledisloe Decider

“Australia knew the All Blacks would be in a vengeful mood after their defeat in Sydney,” the Observer’s Ian Malin reports. “New Zealand duly handed out a rugby lesson [with a score of 41-13]  to keep their hands on the Bledisloe Cup and extend their unbeaten record at Eden Park to 34 matches in their final game before they defend the World Cup.

“It was a perfect night for the All Blacks captain, Richie McCaw, who was playing his 142nd Test, a world record, and Dan Carter, in his final Test on home soil, who contributed 16 points in a commanding display. McCaw was given a standing ovation by the Auckland crowd when he was replaced 12 minutes from time.

“This was a five-try thumping. The return of Quade Cooper to Australia’s fly-half spot had been the chief talking point in the build-up to the game but it was New Zealand’s No10 Carter who sprinkled some stardust over the match midway through the first half.

“Israel Folau scored a try for the Wallabies when he caught a clearing kick to outstrip the New Zealand defence three minutes from time but it was no consolation at all for the outclassed Wallabies.”

Original article by Ian Malin, The Observer, August 15, 2015.

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