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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 stretches over the line to score a try on his 64th Test appearance
New Zealand produced a stunning display as they romped to Tri-Nations victory against Bledisloe Cup rivals Australia. Drew Mitchell's try gave the Wallabies an early lead, but the Melbourne crowd were rocked as New Zealand ran over four times to lead 32-14 at half-time. Dan Carter, Mils Muliaina, Richie McCaw and Cory Jane did the damage and when Mitchell was sent off in the second half, Australia's hopes lay in tatters. Joe Rokocoko was among the second-half scorers as the All Blacks cruised home. The win is New Zealand's record eighth in a row against Australia 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. All Blacks coach Graham Henry was thrilled not only by the size of their victory, but also the quality they showed in front of the 51,409 crowd.
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606: DEBATE
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"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." Both teams had taken a 100% Tri-Nations record into the game after the All Blacks had beaten South Africa twice and Australia saw off the Springboks last weekend, and it was a fast and furious start at Docklands Stadium. Mitchell charged down Carter's kick and ran over to give Australia an eighth-minute lead, but within five minutes the visitors surged into the lead. Carter made almost instant amends for his mistake as he charged down Berrick Barnes's kick to score and then Muliaina crossed the line after a brilliant chipped kick from the right touchline from Jane. Australia's display was error-strewn throughout and they fell further behind when McCaw took advantage of a loose ball to run in before Jane nipped in for a try after a line-out 10m out, Carter firing over both conversions.
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We didn't have any consistent possession in the first half
Australia coach Robbie Deans
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Australia needed to start the second half well to have any chance of getting back into it, but when Mitchell was shown a second yellow card for holding on to the ball, his side's slim hopes all-but evaporated. Muliaina finished off a spell of prolonged pressure to add his second try shortly after. Australia refused to lie down and after Adam Ashley-Cooper got the Wallabies back on the scoreboard, only for Rokocoko to reach for the line at the other end. It was a 46th All Blacks try on his 64th Test appearance on the day he became New Zealand's most-capped winger. The Aussies drew closer once more when Rocky Elsom barged through to score 10 minutes from time, but New Zealand wrapped up the scoring when they switched quickly from left to right and Corey Flynn finished the move off. Carter missed the conversion to deny New Zealand a record score against Australia, but they are now strong favourites to win their 10th Tri-Nations tournament. "We didn't have any consistent possession in the first half and that was a big contributing factor to our circumstance," acknowledged Wallabies' coach Robbie Deans. "Obviously, playing with less than 15 men for the greater part of the game compounded that."
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.
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