Brilliant Cane keeps NZ unbeaten
Print Edition
Flanker Sam Cane’s outstanding performance underlined the depth of the All Blacks squad as he helped them finish their domestic test season unbeaten with a 41-33 victory over Australia in their Bledisloe Cup clash in Dunedin yesterday.
The 21-year-old Cane was a late inclusion for Richie McCaw after the inspirational skipper suffered a calf injury at training on Thursday, though it failed to provide any disruption to the world champion’s performance.
Cane was earmarked by coach Steve Hansen last year as McCaw’s successor, though he had struggled to stamp his authority on games or indicate he was adjusting to the test level.
His performances this season, however, in which he had started five previous tests have been widely praised.
He provided the impetus for his side in yesterday’s third and final match against Australia, which was a ‘dead rubber’ after the All Blacks clinched the symbol of trans-Tasman supremacy earlier in the year, with his defense, link-up play, work at the breakdown and storming runs.
“He is just getting better and better with game time and experience and it’s nice to know we have got another one in the cupboard,” Hansen said of Cane’s performance that ensured the All Blacks have now not lost a test at home since 2009, a run of 30 successive matches.
The victory also kept Australia winless against the All Blacks in New Zealand since 2001.
The All Blacks, who have won all 10 of their tests this year, have also now won 29 of their last 31 matches since the beginning of the 2011 World Cup and despite the closeness of the final score, the home side was too good for the visitors.
The Kiwis were ruthlessly efficient at turning possession into points, either striking from deep or building phases down field, producing four brilliant tries to Julian Savea, Cane, Aaron Cruden and captain Kieran Read.
Cruden added three conversions and four penalties before he was replaced by Beauden Barrett, who slotted a penalty that capped the home side’s scoring.
The Wallabies provided plenty of endeavor and kept playing until well after the final hooter despite the fact a converted try could not win them the game.
The difference, however, was they were restricted to ticking the scoreboard over in three-point increments, with Quade Cooper slotting three penalties and a drop goal in the first half before winger Adam Ashley-Cooper crossed for a try in the 40th minute.
They went into the break 19-30 down and while they outscored the home side in the second half, Matt Toomua’s try was set up when Tevita Kuridrani intercepted a Savea pass as the All Blacks closed in on another try. Kuridrani’s late try also made the scoreline close.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
