Bledisloe lost in epic

[The Prototype]

Source: Ther Mercury

New Zealand 21 Australia 17
DOUG Howlett scored two tries as New Zealand wrested the Bledisloe Cup from Australia for the first time since 1998.

The flying All Blacks wing crossed twice and split the defence on a third bustling sprint as the hosts took a 15-9 half-time lead at Eden Park.

The Kiwis then held out a storming Wallabies outfit late in a see-sawing second period.

Carlos Spencer increased the lead to 18-9 with a penalty just after the break and the Australians crossed the line twice in two minutes but were denied on both occasions by the video referee.

Nathan Sharpe crossed in the 55th but was ruled held up and Steve Larkham slid into the post after an ankle tap from Justin Marshall but replays couldn't reveal if he'd pressured the ball on the post to warrant the five points.

Flatley slotted a penalty from in front to reduce the margin to six points in the 58th minute but Spencer replied with a goal from the sideline to make the score 21-12.

The Australians again were a metre from the tryline in the 73rd minute when the All Blacks conceded a penalty.

Three minutes later, flanker George Smith barged over in the left corner after a sniping run from skipper George Gregan to get the world champions back within four points. Flatley's sideline conversion, though, was wide.

The Wallabies had opened the scoring via a Flatley penalty goal in the second minute and the All Blacks took the lead when Howlett crossed four minutes later on a brilliant counter-attack raid.

Fullback Mils Muliaina returned Stephen Larkham's clearance kick that failed to find touch, linking with flanker Ritchie McCaw who established an attacking ruck.

New Zealand moved the ball wide and hooker Keven Mealamu split the Wallaby defense in midfield before turning the ball in to Howlett.

Spencer converted for a 7-3 but the Australians regained the edge on penalties from Flatley in the 17th and 21st minutes, both when the Wallabies had gone within a metre of the tryline and both for the All Blacks offside in the ruck.

Howlett outpaced Flatley to Spencer's kick behind the Wallaby line after All Blacks No.8 Jerry Collins' controversial ruck ball win at the back of the Australian ruck.

Spencer's conversion attempt hit the right upright but he landed a penalty in the 36th minute to extend the margin to six points. He missed another penalty shot before the break when the All Blacks were paid the advantage after lock Chris Jack got across the tryline from a close ruck but didn't get downward pressure on the ball.

New Zealand, which clinched the Tri-Nations title with a 19-11 win over South Africa at Dunedin last week, needed to win to recover the Bledisloe Cup which Australia has held for five years. But the Wallabies will take heart from this performance after the All Blacks had beat them 50-21 at their previous meeting in Sydney last month.

Match facts:
New Zealand 21: Tries: Doug Howlett 2. Goals: Carlos Spencer conversion, 3 penalties.
Australia 17: Tries: George Smith. Goals: Elton Flatley 4 penalties

[MagpieMad]

Bring on the World Cup!! we just gotta keep "Bill" here at home.
GO AUSSIE!!!