Advertisement
Rob Griffith/AP/Press Association Images
RWC2011

WATCH: Australia stun All Blacks to win Tri-Nations

Australia weathered a second-half comeback to beat New Zealand 25-20 in Brisbane this morning.

AUSTRALIA’S WORLD CUP ambitions received a timely boost in Brisbane this morning as the Wallabies stunned New Zealand to win the 2011 Tri-Nations series with a 25-20 victory.

The win, Australia’s first in the southern hemisphere series since 2001, comes just 15 days before Robbie Deans’s men face Italy in their Pool C opener.

In front of a home crowd, Australia hit the ground running and received the reward for their early dominance when Will Genia’s quick-thinking unlocked the All Black defence and he slipped between Owen Franks and Keven Mealamu to score in the 15th minute.

After Cooper and Carter exchanged penalties, 35-year-old Aussie veteran Radike Samo showed great power and speed to fend off Adam Thomson and score on a 50-yard breakaway, giving Australia a 20-3 lead at half-time.

The All Blacks were roused after the break, however, and after an early Carter penalty made it a two-try game, centre Conrad Smith struck for his side’s first try in the 52nd minute. The veteran was the beneficiary of some controlled and composed forward play, crossing to score following 26 phases of possession.

Smith was instrumental to the All Blacks’ second try as well, linking brilliantly with Ma’a Nonu to send his midfield partner scampering to the Australian line six minutes later.

Carter’s conversion levelled matters at 20-20, leaving the series hanging in the balance, but just two minutes later, Australia retook the lead with what turned out to be the game-winning try.

Again, it was Genia who launched the attack with an excellent line-break and when he fed Ioane, the winger just needed to bide his time before releasing full-back Kurtley Beale to dot down in the corner.

READ - Ireland 9-20 England: As it happened >

READ - No rift with Irish team, say World Cup locals >