Earlier in the week we featured the final moments from the
dramatic finish
to the Bledisloe Cup test in Hong Kong between Australia and New Zealand. If you missed the game or would fancy taking another look at the best bits, here are extended highlights of what was another classic Bledisloe Cup encounter.
After the incredible match, there were a few names that were on the lips of every journo and armchair pundit out there. James OConnor was obviously the man being celebrated the most, but then there was the Quade Cooper-Richie McCaw incident, and of course All Blacks replacement flyhalf Stephen Donald, who took most of the blame for the loss.
Donald had a bit of a shocker after coming on for Dan Carter, but the ABs coaching staff have backed their man. Backs coach Wayne Smith said on Monday “With Stephen, we all love him. Everyone’s got great belief in Stephen. He’s got real character.”
Sentiment aside, the move to bring Carter off to rest him ahead of the next few weeks proved costly and New Zealand tossed away their 15 match unbeaten streak. Lithuania remain the record holders, but thats another piece of random rugby trivia altogether.
“He’s done this before, I suspect he’ll do it again. It’s not easy, you go to a dark place. Ive been there myself. That’s the accountability of the All Black jersey, he’s the only one that can do it. He’ll get another opportunity,” added Smith.
As for the Wallabies, they play Wales this weekend in Cardiff and feel it will be a tough game, despite the home sides injury toll. “I hear this every year, the number of injuries Wales have but every side has injuries. Its just the nature of the game these days. Its about 22 fit blokes against 22 fit blokes and who can do better on the day,” said coach Robbie Deans.
These highlights from the weekends game feature all the tries, as well as the final moments. There were a few scorchers, namely to Adam Ashley-Cooper who was nearly decapitated by his teammate – and Drew Mitchell. The highlighst also feature the closing moments and the kick, all with Australian commentary which some might prefer. Enjoy.
Time:
07:53
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