Australia 28-49 New Zealand

Australia 28 (14)

Tries: Mitchell, Ashley-Cooper, Elsom Cons: Giteau (2) Pens: Giteau (3)

New Zealand 49 (32)

Tries: Carter, Muliaina (2), McCaw, Jane, Rokocoko, Flynn Cons: Carter (4) Pens: Carter (2)

Rokocoko stretching to a second half try

New Zealand crushed Australia earlier today in Melbourne, despite a spirited fight back, thanks to ill-discipline by a number of players but most notably Drew Mitchell. The Australian was sent off for slapping the ball away while the Conrad Smith (New Zealand) was attempting a quick lineout.

The referee has warned both captains about slowing down quick play from a restart but it appeared that Australia failed to heed his warning. Yellow cards and sin bins seem to be the flavour of the tri-nations tournament so far with South Africa the main contributors to the tally. I’m not sure why the officials are hell bent on reporting every little tackle (or so it appears) but maybe they get paid per sin bin given with extra bucks for placing a player on report!

Don’t get me wrong Bakkies Botha totally deserved his 9 week ban; he was plain stupid head butting Cowan in the first game of the tri-nations. It seems to have set a president and the games are now full of players taking 10 minute breaks during the games.

Are the referees too sensitive? The tri-nations isn’t a series for the weak hearted. Seconds before sending Mitchell off Joubert  was heard to tell Wallabies’ skipper Rocky Elsom “I’m not responsible for how this affects the game because I warned you…”

Despite taking an early lead, New Zealand hit back with four tries before half time securing a bonus point. The win is New Zealand’s record eighth in a row against Australia (12 consecutive Tests) and means they are certain to retain the Bledisloe Cup ahead of the two teams’ next Tri-Nations meeting in Christchurch on Saturday 7 August.

Kiwi coach Henry was delighted with his team’s performance “To score seven tries against Australia in Australia is a great performance,” said Henry. “I thought there was some scintillating rugby and the game has improved immensely this year as a spectacle and we’re pleased to be part of that.

“I think both sides contributed. The Australians were down to 14 men in the second half, but they never gave up.”

Australia: Ashley-Cooper, O’Connor, Horne, Barnes, Mitchell, Giteau, Genia, Robinson, Moore, Ma’afu, Mumm, Sharpe, Elsom, Pocock, Brown.

Replacements: S. Faingaa, Slipper, Simmons, Hodgson, Burgess, A. Faingaa, Beale.

New Zealand: Muliaina, Jane, Smith, Nonu, Rokocoko, Carter, Cowan, Woodcock, Mealamu, O. Franks, Thorn, Donnelly, Kaino, McCaw, Read.

Replacements: Flynn, B. Franks, Whitelock, Vito, Weepu, Cruden, Dagg.

Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa).

Attendance: 51,409.