Interesting match. I wasn't actually too worried about the loss (which is strange, as I usually can't stand the AB's losing). While I would undoubtedly have preferred we won, in some ways it is a good thing, as the public in general will be a far more realistic about the AB's chances at he RWC - they still deserve to be favourites, but the public should now understand that they can be beaten. Overall I thought Australia was much better than they were at Eden Park, and their attack was far more direct - it was certainly harder for the AB's defence when Cooper was running at them rather than straight across the field. At half time I had a suspicion that the AB's would make a come back - when they did I was surprised that the Aussies themselves fought back; I'm sure Australia will take a lot out of that. There were certainly a few worrying aspects of the game for the AB's, but there were some positives too.
Negatives:
- The injuries to Read and Thomson. Read's injury is particularly worrying as he is a key part of the team. Hopefully neither injury is too serious. I think again this game showed how important Jerome Kaino is to the AB's - his physical play was really missed.
- Piri Weepu's game. Weepu played ok - he made a couple of little breaks, but he was very slow getting to the breakdown at time. I think he is definately better suited to the role of an impact player, with Jimmy Cowan starting. Incidentally I though Andy Ellis added some energy when he came on; I was a bit worried about him at the start of the season, but he has been pretty solid so far in the chances he got.
- The outside backs. Zac Guildford in particular had a poor - I think he lost the ball three times that I counted (two in contact and one high ball). His defence was pretty good, and he seemed to have a big work-rate, but it is a big worry that the only two poor games I can recall him having this season have been the two biggest games of the year (the Tri-nations decider and the Super Rugby final). Muliaina didn't have a particularly strong game either (though he did well to prevent one try on the line). I expected him to have a huge game with Dagg putting pressure on him, but he was very quiet. Jane was quiet (as the ball didn't really go his way), but didn't make any mistakes.
Positives:
- Tony Woodcock. I thought Woodcock made a huge step-up from last week. His work-rate was impressive, he made a number or runs, plenty of tackles, and his scrummaging was solid. He still has a wee way to go, but I'm certainly not as worried about him as I was leading into this match.
- Ali Williams. Williams was someone who I was really worried about, but he had a huge game from the bench. His aerial work was great (as it always is), but he also ran really well with the ball (and importantly didn't drop the ball!). It will be interesting to see who out of Williams and Whitelock parter Thorn (who himself had a strong game) in the opening game vs Tonga.
- Victor Vito. Despite a couple of early handling issues I though Vito had a great game. He made a couple of big hits, and was powerful with ball in hand. Certainly his best game as an All Black, and seemed to justify his inclusion in the RWC over Messem (well so far at least).
- Midfield combo - Class.
There were a number of standouts for Australia. Pocock was brilliant (as he usually is), and Samo was just phenomenal. Samo's try was exceptional, and there was another run where he broke the tackles of both Carter and McCaw. I think he has assured himself the Wallabies number 8 jersey for the RWC. Genia was again impressive - he is very good at using the ref to slightly obstruct the AB's players! Faingaa was good at centre (maybe pushing McCabe for the 12 jersey) and AAC really impressed me on the wing with his defence - for some reason he always seems to play his best rugby against the AB's.
