New Zealand continued their winning run in 2010 but with the narrowest of victories in Sydney. Like the Springboks before them they came from 22-9 down to record this win. Australia will be a real force in World Rugby if they can just string an 80 minute performance together.
Piri Weepu opened the scoring and then Australia scored through O’Conner and Ashley-Cooper to go in to half-time at 14-6.
The second period and they extended out to 22-9, but ultimately missed kicks by Giteau would prove costly as Weepu continued to kick his goals and Richie McCaw touched down for the important try. To give us the final score of:
Australia 22-23 New Zealand
Scorers
Australia
Tries: O’Connor, Ashley-Cooper Pens: Giteau (3), Beale
New Zealand
Tries: McCaw, Read Pens: Weepu (3) Cons: Weepu (2)
Teams
Australia: Beale; O’Connor, Ashley-Cooper, Giteau, Turner; Cooper, Genia; Robinson, Moore, Ma’afu, Chisholm, Sharpe, Elsom, Pocock, McCalman.
Replacements: Slipper for Ma’afu (52), Mumm for Chisholm (55), Burgess for Genia, Barnes for Cooper, Faingaa for Ashley-Cooper.
New Zealand: Muliaina; Jane, Smith, Nonu, Dagg; Cruden, Weepu; Woodcock, Mealamu, Franks, Donnelly, Thorn, Vito, McCaw, Read.
Replacements: Flynn for Mealamu (12), Boric for Donnelly, Slade for Cruden, Afoa for Franks (all 60).