Friday, October 24, 2014

Brisbane

 Malakai Fekitoa of the All Blacks is tackled during The Rugby Championship match between the Australian Wallabies and the New Zealand All Blacks at Suncorp Stadium on October 18, 2014 in Brisbane, Australia.
(October 17, 2014 - Source: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images AsiaPac)
*

Last-minute All Blacks edge Wallabies

Malakai Fekitoa scored a try in the last minute as the All Blacks overturned a 10-point deficit to beat the Wallabies 29-28 in Brisbane on Saturday.
*
 Beauden Barrett of the All Blacks runs the ball during The Bledisloe Cup match between the Australian Wallabies and the New Zealand All Blacks at Suncorp Stadium on October 18, 2014 in Brisbane, Australia.
(October 17, 2014 - Source: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images AsiaPac)
*
 Sam Carter of the Wallabies is tackled during The Bledisloe Cup match between the Australian Wallabies and the New Zealand All Blacks at Suncorp Stadium on October 18, 2014 in Brisbane, Australia.
(October 17, 2014 - Source: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images AsiaPac)
*
 A general view of the lineout is seen during The Rugby Championship match between the Australian Wallabies and the New Zealand All Blacks at Suncorp Stadium on October 18, 2014 in Brisbane, Australia.
(October 17, 2014 - Source: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images AsiaPac)
*
Written off before kick-off following a tumultuous fortnight off the field, the Wallabies answered their critics in defiant fashion and looked on course to end a three-year losing streak against their rivals from across the 'ditch.'
But rugby is a game of 80 minutes. And once again the All Blacks showed they are the masters of the fast finish.
Ewen McKenzie's side produced arguably their best performance of 2014 and willing be kicking themselves for not closing out from a winning position as they failed to match the Kiwis' intensity in the last quarter.
The result means New Zealand win the 2014 Bledisloe series at 2-0.
***
 Israel Folau of the Wallabies runs with the ball during The Rugby Championship match between the Australian Wallabies and the New Zealand All Blacks at Suncorp Stadium on October 18, 2014 in Brisbane, Australia.
(October 17, 2014 - Source: Matt Roberts/Getty Images AsiaPac)
*
 Brodie Retallick of the All Blacks is tackled during The Rugby Championship match between the Australian Wallabies and the New Zealand All Blacks at Suncorp Stadium on October 18, 2014 in Brisbane, Australia.
(October 17, 2014 - Source: Matt Roberts/Getty Images AsiaPac)
*
 Malakai Fekitoa of the All Blacks makes a break during The Rugby Championship match between the Australian Wallabies and the New Zealand All Blacks at Suncorp Stadium on October 18, 2014 in Brisbane, Australia.
(October 17, 2014 - Source: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images AsiaPac)
*
Man of the match: Richie McCaw gave away a few penalties but was a tackle machine, as was Brodie Retallick. A mention for Michael Hooper for pulling his side together and contributing massively as a ball carrier but we'll go for Bernard Foley, not only for his 15 points, but his tireless work in getting back in defence.
Moment of the match: There can only be one candidate. Malakai Fekitoa's try at the death broke Aussie hearts.
****
 All Blacks captain Richie McCaw presents a bottle of champagne to Adam Ashley-Cooper of the Wallabies after playing his 100th test for the Wallabies during The Rugby Championship match between the Australian Wallabies and the New Zealand All Blacks at Suncorp Stadium on October 18, 2014 in Brisbane, Australia.
(October 17, 2014 - Source: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images AsiaPac)
*
 Michael Hooper of the Wallabies is tackled during The Rugby Championship match between the Australian Wallabies and the New Zealand All Blacks at Suncorp Stadium on October 18, 2014 in Brisbane, Australia.
(October 17, 2014 - Source: Matt Roberts/Getty Images AsiaPac)
*
 Christian Leali'ifano of the Wallabies is tackled during The Rugby Championship match between the Australian Wallabies and the New Zealand All Blacks at Suncorp Stadium on October 18, 2014 in Brisbane, Australia.
(October 17, 2014 - Source: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images AsiaPac)
*
BrodieRetallick of the All Blacks is tackled during The Rugby Championship match between the Australian Wallabies and the New Zealand All Blacks at Suncorp Stadium on October 18, 2014 in Brisbane, Australia.
(October 17, 2014 - Source: Matt Roberts/Getty Images AsiaPac)
*
Dane Coles of the All Blacks makes a break during The Bledisloe Cup match between the Australian Wallabies and the New Zealand All Blacks at Suncorp Stadium on October 18, 2014 in Brisbane, Australia.
(October 17, 2014 - Source: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images AsiaPac)
*