Israel Dagg was a key man for the All Blacks against Australia.
It was a nervy start for Australia at Eden Park as Quade Cooper kicked the ball out on the full from the kick-off. New Zealand showed no nerves as Piri Weepu kicked to corner to show the All Black’s intent to assert their dominance early on. New Zealand put together some promising phases together and had the best part of possession and territory in the early stages.
After a great simple backs move with ball in hand, the ball was thrown out wide to Israel Dagg who beat one defender then drew the last man. Dagg offloaded to Ma’a Nonu, who was in support, and Nonu crashed over in the corner to open the scoring for the Kiwis. Weepu struck the conversion well, but he pushed the ball to the right of the posts. New Zealand 5 Australia 0
Soon after, following a lovely kick through the Wallaby defence by Nonu, the All Blacks stole the line-out and won a penalty just to the right of the posts. Weepu smashed the ball into the post and New Zealand won back the ball. Were the All Blacks going to miss the kicking gurus in Dan Carter and Colin Slade?
Aaron Cruden made a fantastic break and he looked to beat the last man, however, he was just brought down. David Pocock was penalised for going off his feet at the breakdown. Weepu made no mistake this time as he added the 3 points to make the score New Zealand 8 Australia 0
When trying to clear New Zealand’s line, Weepu’s box-kick did not find touch, Digby Ioane; the Wallaby with electric pace and considerable strength nearly got to the line. A glimpse of Australia’s attacking threat was shown; the All Blacks would have to keep the scoreboard ticking over to keep the Wallabies out of the game. Australia won a penalty and James O’Connor opened Australia’s account New Zealand 8 Australia 3
Weepu had another attempt at goal after Australia was penalised at the scrum, however, Weepu once again put the kick wide. A clever cross-kick from Cruden was put ahead of Cory Jane to chase and O’Connor had to walk the ball into touch. Following a good line-out and nice hands from Dagg in the wide channel, New Zealand looked to set up a drop-goal. After a few phases, Cruden dropped back into the pocket and slotted a drop-goal from 35 metres. New Zealand 11 Australia 3
Will Genia put in an excellent kick for Australia forced Richard Kahui to make a mistake which gave Australia a line-out. Australia ran a few phases of possession and Cooper dropped back into the pocked and slotted an easy drop-goal. The game clearly had plenty of life left in it. New Zealand 11 Australia 6
Adam Ashley-Cooper was caught in an offside position and was penalised. Weepu found his composure again to add the three points. Weepu stretched the lead just before half time to make the score: New Zealand 14 Australia 6
Half time: New Zealand 14 Australia 6
New Zealand should have been in the lead by more than 8 points, but the place kicking of Weepu had not been accurate, perhaps Cruden should have taken over the kicking duties. Australia looked nervous and Quade Cooper did not look like the man to guide his side into their first World Cup final since 2003.
Weepu was given a chance at the very start of the 2nd half and he made no mistake. New Zealand 17 Australia 6
Australia had plenty of possession in New Zealand’s half but it was a bit static. A few strong carries from Rocky Elsom and James Horwill looked to get Australia back into the game, but, they could not make it count and they lost possession.
With 20 minutes to go, New Zealand looked to close out the game, but, they could not place the final nail in the Australian coffin as they gave away a penalty on the Australian 5 metre line.
New Zealand destroyed an Australian scrum and Pocock let his frustration show as he lashed out at the Kiwi forwards. Cruden missed to the right of the posts with his first place kick attempt, would he regret his miss?
There was plenty of blood on display from both sides which demonstrated the ferocity of the game as Weepu returned from the bench as a blood replacement. With 10 minutes to go, the Kiwis won another penalty at the scrum. The short time on the bench did Weepu some good as he split the uprights. Weepu helped secure the win with a successful kick: New Zealand 20 Australia 6
With five minutes to go, Australia looked to inject some life into the game, Quade Cooper made a break and was tackled by two All Blacks, however, Sonny Bill Williams, who had just come on was given a yellow card for a dangerous tackle. Williams used his shoulder but it was not dangerous and he definitely did not deserve a yellow card. Australia looked to score to set up a nervy final few minutes, but they were turned over and New Zealand won a penalty. In the final minute, time started to slowly count down and New Zealand dropped the ball. This gave the Wallabies one final play. However, the ball was spilt forward and hacked on by Kahui, who smashed Cooper into touch.
Full time: New Zealand 20 Australia 6.
Man of the Match: Israel Dagg: the full-back was commanding under the high ball and looked dangerous in attack. Dagg has made a real claim for the no. 15 shirt on a permanent basis.
New Zealand were in complete control in the 1st half, they went off the boil a little in the 2nd half, but they got the job done and kept Australia from crossing the try-line. The All Blacks will feel confident heading into next week’s final vs. France, hoping to avenge the failures in previous World Cups since 1987.
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