Rate it!

0 votes

Stephen Donald kicked five penalties as New Zealand opened their Tri-Nations defence with a hard-fought 22-16 defeat of Australia at Eden Park in Auckland.

The All Blacks fought back from a poor start to out-muscle their trans-Tasman rivals and maintain a proud unbeaten record at Eden Park that goes back to 1994.

The first 20 minutes belonged solely to Australia as they opened a 10-0 lead through a converted Berrick Barnes try and Matt Giteau penalty.

But New Zealand fixed their on-field problems, especially in the lineout, and used their bench well to over-turn a 13-3 first-quarter deficit and gradually take control of the game with the wind in their favour in the second half.

Fit-again All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw (pictured) led by example and scored his side's only try in the 26th minute to put them right back into contention just as the Wallabies threatened to run away with the game.

Indeed, had Barnes, Matt Giteau and George Smith on his 100th appearance for Australia not made a mess of a three-on-one advantage after a charge down by the flanker, the Wallabies would have been 17-3 ahead with less than 20 minutes played.

Instead, McCaw finished off an All Blacks' period of attacking pressure after taking the ball from Conrad Smith on a decent angle, and with Donald landing the conversion the hosts went into half-time just 13-10 down.

Crucially, the wind was with New Zealand after the break and they wasted little time taking advantage.

With their lineout problems fixed by replacement Keven Mealamu for misfiring hooker Andrew Hore, the All Blacks were able to secure greater possession and put Australia under pressure.

Wallabies prop Al Baxter was targeted at scrum time and, perhaps unfairly, was adjudged to be at fault and penalised on a number of occasions.

Donald landed two penalties soon after the break to give the home side a 16-13 lead, though Giteau soon levelled matters as New Zealand infringed moments after taking the lead for the first time.

But with Rodney So'olialo, Jerome Kaine, McCaw and Mealamu giving the All Blacks an edge up front, the Wallabies discipline was tested time and again and found wanting on several occasions.

New Zealand also made good use of the elements with Donald using the wind to pin the Wallabies back in their own half for long periods.

The fly-half landed his fourth penalty just after the hour to move the All Blacks ahead and extended their lead to 22-16 with four minutes remaining when the Wallabies handled in a ruck after decent drives from Mealamu and Brad Thorn.

Australia had a couple of attacking positions late in the game, but were unable to take advantage of them. First Wycliffe Palu failed to take a quick tap correctly and then a midfield move broke down due to poor handling.

New Zealand, meanwhile, showed typical composure to run down the clock and secure a winning start to the Tri-Nations and relieve pressure on coach Graham Henry after a difficult couple of months.

The result maintained New Zealand's winning record over Australia in Auckland that goes back to 1986 and gives them a much-needed boost ahead of their clash with world champions South Africa in Bloemfontein next weekend.

Terence O'Rorke / Eurosport