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Last Updated: Nov 5th, 2007 - 19:52:48 |
Aug. 13 (Bloomberg) -- New Zealand beat Australia 30-13 in rugby's Tri-Nations, rebounding from a first-up loss in South Africa to retain the Bledisloe Cup contested annually between the south Pacific neighbors.
Richie McCaw and Joe Rokocoko scored second-half tries at Sydney's Telstra Stadium as New Zealand rallied from 13-0 down after 15 minutes to inflict Australia's third straight loss. All Blacks fly-half Daniel Carter kicked 13 points before going off injured.
``A huge amount of character and heart was shown by the team after being down 13-0,'' All Blacks coach Graham Henry said at a news conference. ``The guys climbed out of that and got better and better as the game went on.''
As well as guaranteeing their hold on the Bledisloe Cup for another year, victory put the All Blacks in a position to win the southern hemisphere's annual rugby championship for a sixth time in 10 years. New Zealand hosts Australia and South Africa in the tournament's final two matches. South Africa leads the standings after winning both its home games 22-16.
The All Blacks' win was the first away victory in the Tri- Nations in 12 matches. Their 51-20 triumph in Sydney in 2003 was the last time a team won on the road.
New Zealand squandered a number of other try-scoring chances in securing its third win in eight visits to Sydney's former Olympic stadium. Drew Mitchell scored a try on debut for the Wallabies, who lost back-to-back Tests in South Africa last month. Matt Giteau kicked Australia's other points.
`Little Things'
``Winning and losing these games is about doing the little things well,'' Wallabies coach Eddie Jones told reporters. ``At the moment, we're doing too many little things badly.''
Giteau kicked the Wallabies into a 6-0 lead after the All Blacks twice infringed at the breakdown. Mitchell, 21, then broke through two tackles on a slaloming counterattack and his momentum carried him over the try line after Jerry Collins's tackle.
Carter made it 13-3 with a penalty and the All Blacks missed two try-scoring chances before scrum-half Piri Weepu dived over from close range following Rokocoko's run down the narrow touchline. Carter converted to make it 13-10.
The All Blacks' fly-half almost scored a try two minutes before half time when he was beaten by Lote Tuqiri to a low kick over the Wallabies' line. The decision was referred to the television match official, who ruled that Tuqiri had got his hands to the ball first.
Missed Chances
Carter kicked a penalty five minutes into the second half to tie the scores. Rico Gear then dropped the ball when he was over the try-line after a blind-side break, though the resulting pressure led to another Carter penalty.
New Zealand then squandered two more try-scoring chances through handling failures. First, Rokocoko and Keven Mealamu didn't hold onto the ball and five minutes later Mils Muliaina couldn't take Rokocoko's pass following a cross kick.
McCaw made amends with 15 minutes left when he forced his way over from close range from a quick tap penalty. Rokocoko extended the lead in the 73rd minute when he finished off a counterattack under the posts, which was converted by Luke McAlister, who had replaced the injured Carter.
``It was a very tough game to play, everyone was playing at a high pace,'' said All Blacks captain Tana Umaga. ``The Bledisloe Cup means a lot to us.''
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