In a match that was billed as close and a battle of the 10’s. It was Dan Carter and New Zealand who came out on top as he was at the heart of every New Zealand attack and strong in defence. The Kiwis punished any small Australian errors and went into the break leading 17-0 thanks to tries from Ma’a Nonu and Keven Mealamu plus the boot of Carter.
The second period and Australia had a better showing as the All Blacks fell from the heights of the first half, with unforced errors of their own. So it was that Australia shaded the half as the Kiwis scored 13 points to their 14. Australia scored through Digby Ioane and captain Rocky Elsom whilst the Kiwis racked up points through the boot of Carter and a try by Sitiveni Sivivatu to give them a record ninth straight Tri-Nations victory at Eden Park and us the final score of:
New Zealand 30-14 Australia to claim .
Scorers
New Zealand: Tries: Nonu, Mealamu, Sivivatu Cons: Carter 3 Pens: Carter 2 Drop: Carter
Australia: Tries: Ioane, Elstrom Cons: Cooper 2
Teams
New Zealand: Mils Muliaina, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Conrad Smith, Ma’a Nonu, Hosea Gear, Daniel Carter, Piri Weepu; Wyatt Crockett, Keven Mealamu, Owen Franks, Brad Thorn, Ali Williams, Jerome Kaino, Richie McCaw, Kieran Read. Replacements: Andrew Hore, Ben Franks, Samuel Whitelock, Adam Thomson, Andy Ellis, Colin Slade, Sonny Bill Williams.
Australia: Kurtley Beale, James O’Connor, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Pat McCabe, Digby Ioane, Quade Cooper, Will Genia; Sekope Kepu, Stephen Moore, Ben Alexander, Rob Simmons, James Horwill, Rocky Elsom, David Pocock, Ben McCalman. Replacements: Saia Faingaa, Pek Cowan, Dan Vickerman, Scott Higginbotham, Luke Burgess, Anthony Fainga’a, Lachie Turner.
Match Officials
Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Marius Jonker (South Africa), Christie du Preez (South Africa)
Television match official: Glen Jackson
Assessor: Steve Hilditch