great game to watch, overall its crazy that the Aussies basically played a blinder on attack and dominated large parts of the game yet the AB's still won with the margin they did! I think Aussie have it in them to have a game like this every now and then, I think the selections were better. Foley obviously had a huge sparking the wallabie attack they just lacked penetration and the ability keep ahead of the AB's scrambling defense.
obviously some controversy as well, Speights try being called back for one. Speight would have scored anyway but the Aussie supporting player clearly changed his line deliberately to block Savea, was not your typical shepherding call, he just straight up took Savea out of the contest which was needless and stupid.
For me I couldn't believe that the ref called the early tackle on Coles ok. Shoulder to shoulder contest is fine but Foley clearly reached his right arm around in front of Coles when he was basically directly behind him and pulled him back, it was basically an early tackle. How on earth does that get called ok? Then the Cruden forward pass, TMO calling it ok and the ref overruling? With that and the way other 50/50 calls went Chekia doesn't really have any genuine complaints about the game.
The big difference was how much more effective the AB's where when they did get the ball. The opening 5min basically told the story of the game for me. Aussies bashing awaay and mostly getting nowhere as the NZ defense holds. Then a turnover, NZ get the ball get up the field and score in no time at all.
Perenara was good again, first time a NZ halfback has scored a try 4 tests in a row? Thats a pretty crazy record....
Ben Smith was absolutely phenomenal. How can he be that good?
Crotty & ALB had another great game, I thought Crotty had a blinder. Some of his defense was simply superb, and really physical in the contact as well.
Todd was very good, he almost single handedly prevented the Wallabies from dominating the first half, key turnovers at key times. IMO there has never been any question that Todd is top level test player. I think the only thing that has worked against hm is that hes now 28 while cane is ~24-25 and Savea is 21? Cane is a different type of player, dominates on defense and does the dirty work. All 3 of our open sides have been very good, IMO Cane has still been our best, Todd and Savea have backed up very well.
This game from Savea typified how he plays. He was by far the worst AB for the first 50min. in fact you could say for 50min he was the only AB NOT genuinely playing well. Missed tackles, dropped ball, blew a try, looked crap under the high ball and really didn't do anything right for 50min then all of a sudden he latches onto a perfect Ben Smith kick and runs in a try, makes two more big runs with the wallabies well and truly on the rack and gaps opening up everywhere and he gets rave reviews.
