Tri Nations 2010: All Blacks smash Wallabies in Melbourne

The All Blacks have beaten Wallabies by 49-28 in Melbourne in the opening Bledisloe Cup game for 2010.Nathan Sharpe equalled John Eales record when he took the field, great player, scary eyes! Kiwi nerves were tested before the match as Carter appeared to hurt his groin in the warm up.The Wallabies had the first chance to score after a great break from Matt Giteau from deep in their 22, they were unable to score the try, but Giteau slotted a well won penalty.It did not take long for Dan Carter to draw the teams level with a penalty goal of his own.From the kick off Drew Mitchell charged down a Carter clearance kick, he regathered and crossed in the corner for the games opening try. Minutes later, Carter charged down a Barnes kick he regathered for the score, then converted for a 10-8 lead.Then Corey Jane produced a miracle kick as he was being taken into touch, Mils Muliaina picked up the loose ball and crossed for the All Blacks second try, Carter missed the conversion and the all blacks led 15-8 in the 15th minute.Giteau reduced the gap in the 19th minute. and that was second penalty goal.Owen Franks was yellow carded in the 21st minute. Despite being down to 14 men Richie McCaw picked up a ruck ball and sprinted home from 25 metre's. Carter converted for a 22-11 lead.It got worse for the Wallabies as Drew Mitchell was yellow carded for a shoulder charge in the 19th minute.Giteau slotted his third penalty goal in the 32nd minute. Two minutes later Carter restored the gap with his second penalty.The All Blacks had their bonus point for the fourth try in the 35th minutes. Corey Jane crossed out wide on the missing Mitchell's wing. Carter converted magnificently for a 32-14 lead.The All Blacks started the second half the better and couldn't believe their luck when Drew Mitchell was red carded for a deliberate foul in the 44th minute. Possibly the softest red card in est match rugby history.It did not take long for the All Blacks to get advantage as Muliaina crossed in the 45th minute, Carter converted for a 39-14 lead.The Wallabies thought the gave themselves hope when Pocock burrowed over from close range, but the TMO ruled no try.The Wallabies built tremendous pressure before releasing Ashley-Cooper to score outwide once again using his famed right hand fend. Giteau converted 39-21 to the All Blacks.Within two minutes Joe Rokocoko has restored his teams lead as he finished off a move started by the restart win.The Wallabies continued to fight and were rewarded when Rocky Elsom crashed over in the 71st minute. Giteau converted and the lead was 44-28.Any hope the Wallabies held for a comeback were dashed as the New Zealanders regained the ascendancy for the remainding minutes. The All Blacks fittingly finished the game with a Corey Flynn try.

Scorers
New Zealand - Tries: Mils Muliaina (2), Dan Carter, Richie McCaw, Cory Jane, Joe Rokocoko, Corey Flynn. Conversions: Carter (4). Penalty goals: Carter (2).
Yellow card: Owen Franks
Australia - Tries: Drew Mitchell, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Rocky Elsom. Conversions: Matt Giteau (2). Penalties: Giteau (3).
Yellow card: Drew Mitchell
Red card: Mitchell (second yellow)
Teams (15-1)

Referee: Craig Joubert (RSA)

Crowd: 51,409

"No surface tension".

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans has announced the state of the playing surface a non-issue ahead of Saturday's trans-Tasman showdown with New Zealand, insisting his players would play on 'asphalt' if they had to. An intense Deans was forced to deflect a barrage of questions on the controversial Etihad Stadium pitch shortly after announcing two personnel changes to his starting side for the crucial Tri Nations and Bledisloe Cup encounter.Berrick Barnes will line up at inside centre for the suspended Quade Cooper with Matt Giteau shifting to fly-half, while experienced rake Stephen Moore comes in for young star Saia Faingaa."I have no concerns about it, it's a level playing field for both sides," said Deans. "We'll play on asphalt if we have to, it doesn't matter." He said "It's a Bledisloe Test match happening in Melbourne this weekend and that's fantastic. It'll be a great occasion, a great game, it'll be great theatre and there'll be an awful lot for people to enjoy." The AFL Players' Association threatened a boycott of matches at Etihad Stadium on Monday before the league and stadium management agreed on a series of improvements to the ground which will also host two AFL matches this weekend.But Deans is adamant the shifting surface won't be a problem come Saturday night. All Blacks captain Richie McCaw said the Kiwis would put longer studs in their boots and hope for the best." I've heard there's a bit of talk about the surface but at the end of the day we can't change it, we've just got to get on with it," McCaw said."I guess one thing is that with the roof shut it won't be wet so that's a positive. I'm sure it will be fine."he said.

Pressure is on Joe Rokocoko.

Joe Rokocoko,The New Zealand star, has admitted he is under pressure ahead of Saturday's Tri-Nations clash with Australia in Melbourne. He missed his side's most recent match of the competition with a hamstring injury, but is back in the starting XV for the trip to Melbourne on Saturday. However, coach Graham Henry has interested to play the most experienced Rokocoko, but he is fully aware of what is expected of him if he is to keep his place in the side.Too polite but congratulatory for his team mates, Rokocoko joked that his reinstatement was unlikely to draw unanimous cheers."I'm just used to it. I'm the man most wanted at the moment in New Zealand, they'll take my head off," Rokocoko said. "It's not only Dagg, there's another 1000 wingers in New Zealand ... This is just the first tier of guys that are coming up in their careers." "If I know I can't do the black jersey justice and play to my best, then it's a better option for me to leave and carry on." he said."Obviously the World Cup (in 2011) is going to be a major goal. The main goal is just getting on this team."Henry added: "Obviously he's under pressure. There's other guys playing well in that position. We've gone for the guy who's been there and done it and done it well in the past.""Any ball that goes behind, our eyes just light up because we get excited it's our chance to get into the game."