Wallabies master All Blacks to win title

The Wallabies downed the All Blacks 25-20 to claim their first Tri-Nations crown in 10 years at Suncorp Stadium yesterday. Australia boosted their hopes of a third World Cup success in New Zealand next month, with a spirited three tries to two victory after dominating 20-3 at half time. The Wallabies have not lifted the southern hemisphere crown since John Eales’s team won in 2001. The Australians showed great resolve in a pulsating second half as the world number one ranked All Blacks stormed back to draw level with 20 minutes left. But the Wallabies, led by lock James Horwill for the first time, fought back and ultimately claimed victory with a 61st-minute try by fullback Kurtley Beale. “It’s a significant result for us as we haven’t done that since 2001 so that’s a biggie,” Wallabies’ coach Robbie Deans said. “But in terms of the World Cup it’s irrelevant and if anything we’ve just put the bar up to that end should we be fortunate enough to meet the All Blacks again (at the World Cup). “We’ll take some real value out of it, that was an important step for us.” The Wallabies lost their chance to win this year’s Bledisloe Cup when holders New Zealand comprehensively beat them 30-14 in Auckland three weeks ago. But it was Australia’s second win over the All Blacks in their last three meetings after they downed Graham Henry’s team 26-24 in Hong Kong last October. It was the Wallabies’ first victory over the All Blacks in Brisbane for 19 years. “Congratulations to Australia. I thought they played very well for long periods in the game and to win the Tri-Nations’ trophy contested by the three top teams in the world is a major achievement,” Henry said. “We’re disappointed in the way we started the game, proud of the way the guys came back in the second half, but it wasn’t quite enough.” The switched-on Wallabies began furiously, putting the All Blacks on the back foot with a swarming defence, and had a couple of early chances before Quade Cooper kicked a third-minute penalty. Right-winger Adam Ashley-Cooper was over the New Zealand try-line but was hauled back by Piri Weepu and Mils Muliaina. The Wallabies’ ferocity took its toll on the All Blacks, with number eight Kieran Read replaced with a left ankle injury while skipper Richie McCaw played on after treatment to his lower back. The Australians were rewarded for their domination when scrum-half and man-of-the-match Will Genia darted through to score in the 13th minute. Centre Anthony Fainga’a pulled off a try-saving tackle on Muliaina before Dan Carter kicked the All Blacks’ first points with a 24th-minute penalty. Cooper had an easy penalty kick and a minute later number eight Radike Samo, the oldest Wallaby player at 35, sprinted 60m to score an astonishing try after David Pocock stole the ball off McCaw. Samo’s try was converted by Cooper giving the Wallabies a 20-3 lead after 34 minutes. New Zealand’s problems were compounded further when flanker Adam Thomson came off just before halftime with an elbow injury to be replaced by Ali Williams. Carter kicked his second penalty seven minutes after the resumption as the All Blacks knuckled down with more disciplined ball retention and phases to control possession. The All Blacks held the ball through 27 phases before centre Conrad Smith went over for their first try in the 52nd minute, which Carter converted. New Zealand drew level on 59 minutes when Nonu was involved twice before scoring off Smith’s pass. But the Wallabies hit back minutes later when Genia dummied into the clear and combined with winger Digby Ioane for Beale to score in the left corner to retrieve the lead 25-20. The Wallabies wound down the clock and held on for a tremendous victory.