S3, P3: Australian Wallaroos vs. New Zealand

19:00

A very cagey opening period with neither team really penetrating or looking likely to score anything, so it's a blessed relief when someone puts some points on the board. Very different so far from the NZ/GB match in similar conditions.

The next phase to be played from 34 metres on the New Zealanders side of the halfway line.

Dion Alessi is tackled by Siege Morgan for the New Zealanders and a ruck forms. The ruck is contested but the New Zealanders are penalised for incorrect entry at the gate. Penalty to the Australians

Penalty to the Australians to be taken by Dion Alessi. From here, they're going to have a Kick At Goal. A great connection for him there and he secures the 3 points.

Australian Wallaroos 3 - 0 New Zealand

 

32:15

Luke Pilgrim is tackled by Heath Davis for the New Zealanders and a ruck forms. The ruck is contested and the New Zealanders players pile in.

I think he got a little isolated there, and they've turned the ball over here.
The next phase to be played from 8 metres on the New Zealanders side of the halfway line.

Gareth Weaver is tackled by Dave Eggman for the Australians and a ruck forms. The ruck is contested but the New Zealanders show good ball security and extracate the ball from the ruck.

The next phase to be played from 8 metres on the New Zealanders side of the halfway line.

Heath Davis goes for a surge through the middle, and is tackled by Dave Eggman for the Australians and a ruck forms. Davis has got no support here and the Australian forwards roll right over the top of the ruck. Turnover!

The next phase to be played from 11 metres on the New Zealanders side of the halfway line.

Pilgrim cleans up quick ball and it's spread wide. The New Zealand defense, so staunch up to now, buckles. Herd gets the ball and spies a gap between Izett and Chung.

Incredible stuff here! He's burst through the defensive line and he's on a run. Ben Herd with the ball for the Australians. I think he's going to make it all the way. Yes, he touches down under the posts. A great run of 40 metres. TRY!!

TRY TO Australians
Conversion attempt for the Australians. Kick to be taken by Dion Alessi. Nah, that's sailed wide of the posts.

Aus 8 - 0 NZ

 

36:00 Morgan does not look in good shape here. He's clearly grimacing. He's gonna have to go off. On comes Mike Martyn for his New Zealand debut.

 

Half Time

Australia 8 - 0 New Zealand

 

45:30

Good patient build up here from Australia

Steve Cambridge is tackled by Michael Chung for the New Zealanders and a ruck forms. The ruck is contested but the Australians show good ball security and extracate the ball from the ruck.

The next phase to be played from 40 metres on the New Zealanders side of the halfway line.

Pilgrim spreads the ball wide, there's no overlap here but they gain some yardage. Ben Herd with the ball on the run here. He's already gained 6 metres. It looks like he's going to be tackled by Regan Hutchinson but he manages to offload to Paddy Orr in time.

The next phase to be played from 46 metres on the New Zealanders side of the halfway line.

Paddy Orr with the ball on the run here. He's already gained 4 metres. Good Tackle by Regan Hutchinson and a ruck forms. Pilgrim digs down and gets clean and quick ball and again throws it wide. Pilgrim to Alessi, Alessi with a cut out pass to Herd.

The next phase to be played from 50 metres on the New Zealanders side of the halfway line.

Ben Herd is tackled by Gareth Weaver, but he's over in the corner. The tackle was too late to save the try.

TRY TO Australians
Conversion attempt for the Australians. Kick to be taken by Dion Alessi. Great kick. He's nailed that one and they earn the extra 2 points.

Australia 15 - 0 New Zealand

 

This is shockingly poor from us so far, given how we played last time out.

Jabba's having a shocker, so according to his orders, on comes Sam Bakkum.

 

47:15

Try saving tackle from Dave Eggman on Mike Martyn who was held up behind the line following a great surging run from Gareth Weaver.