RugbyBuck will be delighted. The All Blacks stunk up the place and got nailed by the Wallabies. The game was tight until an All Black high tackle gave Australia a one man advantage and 17 first half points. Nevertheless, after a late score in the first half and an opening score in the second, the All Blacks had the lead 19-17 early in the second half.
What followed will turn the rugby world upside down, at least until the Wallabies and All Blacks visit South Africa.
The Australians controlled the game the final 35 minutes. This was in stark contrast to the first half, when the All Blacks had possession for 36 minutes. The All Blacks looked flat and undisciplined. They were unable to mount any kind of a charge late in the game and spoiled a number of promising possessions with knock-ons and penalties.
Australia continued to get away with murder in the breakdowns and to collapse scrums. But, take nothing away from them, this was a solid win and the All Blacks will now be heading back to the drawing board to make a plan before next week. The Springboks have to like what they saw today.
Make no mistake. Australia is back in the Tri-Nations.
Wallabies go top of Tri-Nations with epic win over All Blacks
SYDNEY (AFP) ? The Wallabies powered to the top of the Tri-Nations standings with a pulsating 34-19 victory over New Zealand in a memorable Test match here on Saturday.
The Australians played superb attacking rugby to score four tries and a bonus point to leapfrog the All Blacks and the world champion Springboks to the tournament lead after two games.
The euphoric victory, only a point off the most ever scored against the All Blacks, was coach Robbie Deans' fifth straight and a special one against New Zealand counterpart Graham Henry.
New Zealand Rugby Union's World Cup autopsy after their quarter-final exit last year saw New Zealander Deans rejected as the new All Blacks coach in favour of retaining Henry.
Deans went on to become the Wallabies' first foreign boss and his side thrilled the near-79,000 home crowd with their adventurous rugby, and came after the All Blacks had edged to the front 19-17 five minutes after halftime.
But Australia finished the better with tries to Rocky Elsom and James Horwill clinching a famous victory.
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