A record victory over the All Blacks underlined what many Australians have been saying all season – the Wallabies could well become the leading side in world rugby very soon. After a promising 16-9 victory over the Springboks, Australia were widely expected to struggle against the might of the All Blacks. But wonderful performances from captain George Smith, five-eighth Matt Giteau and centre Berrick Barnes were enough to steer the Wallabies to their most impressive victory in years. Coach Robbie Deans seems to have lived up to his tag already.

After having a week off following the loss to South Africa, the All Blacks were widely expected to arrive hungry and refreshed for the clash. But it didn’t start well for them. After just four minutes, All Black lock Brad Thorn was sin-binned for a lazy high tackle on Giteau, with the five-eighth promptly slotting the penalty – Australia 3 New Zealand 0.  And before Thorn returned, the Wallabies had scored again, this time through Bledisloe debutant Ryan Cross. Fijian-born winger Lote Tuqiri burst through the All Black defence only to be brought down 15 metres from the line. But quick service from Luke Burgess and a last pass from Giteau enabled Cross to score untouched. Giteau (who ended the night with a perfect kicking record) slotted the conversion to make it 10-0.

The All Blacks showed flashes of brilliance, with Mils Muliania crashing over after a brilliant attack from his own half. Daniel Carter surprisingly missed, giving Australia a five-point advantage. Running from their own 22-metre line seemed the only real option for the Blacks in the opening quarter of the match. The Wallabies were quite content to kick deep to the All Black outside backs in the opening 40 minutes, a move that proved very fruitful as the New Zealanders seemed intent on running back at the Australian line, often giving away turnovers.

Only the brilliant Sitiveni Sivivatu pierced the Australian defence regularly, with stunning bursts of pace and mesmerising footwork. Carter looked out of sorts, never threatening the line and rarely kicking with the brilliance we have come to expect from him. In contrast, his opposite number Giteau was everywhere, throwing brilliant passes, sliding through gaps and heaving relieving kicks with power.

The five-eighth battle was not the only raging on field, however, as Barnes faced his toughest test yet, marking 104kg Ma’a Nonu. The Maori wrecking ball was described by All Black coach Graham Henry as “the best line-breaker in New Zealand rugby”, and he had certainly lived up to that tag against the Springboks. 

At 90kg, Barnes was never going to physically intimidate his opposite number, but solid defence and a wonderful kicking game gave him victory in the one-on-one battle. Nonu had made a point of running at Barnes early, only to be blocked relentlessly by the Queensland centre. Nonu was also on the receiving end of a try-saving smash from Barnes in the first half.

The Wallabies are known for their tireless defence (last year they famously kept out South Africa for 15 minutes on their own five-metre line), and it was their scrambling defence that made the difference, with Adam Ashley-Cooper pulling off some one-on-one tackles in his own half.

Three times Sivivatu broke through the defence, and three times the Wallabies managed to cut the attack down. All Black captain Rodney So’oialo butchered a chance down the right that would cost them. Australia started a daring raid down the left and Ashley-Cooper kicked ahead, but was tackled before he could chase it down. But with just So’oialo on the wing, the try was still on. Tuqiri managed to get to it, but could only manage to toe it ahead, as it appeared he was taken out by Sivivatu without the ball. In the end, it didn’t matter, as Hynes grounded the ball without a black jersey in sight. 

But it is the All Blacks' determination that enables them to score in the dying seconds of a half and the opening phase of one. With just a minute left in the first half, hooker Andrew Hore unexpectedly cut back inside to find the line. It was a try that seemed to be inevitably leading to a fight-back, as the sides went into the sheds with Australia leading 17-12. It certainly seemed the All Black revival was on when Dan Carter (who was back to his best) broke through to set up a try for half-back Ellis. Carter then converted to make it 17-19. It was the first and last time the All Blacks would be in the lead.

Nine minutes later, Australia had scored again. After build-up play from the All Blacks, the ever reliable Smith pinched the ball. After a dash from Burgess, the ball was cut out to Tuqiri in space. The winger chipped and chased and appeared to have scored, only for replacement half-back Jimmy Cowan to grab it off his toes. Cowan’s kick went 45 metres, but didn’t find touch. Ashley-Cooper then smashed through the All Black line only to be brought down 10 metres out. The momentum appeared to be lost until Barnes scrambled the ball to flanker Rocky Elsom, who weaved through the defence and scored the most frantic try of the match.  

It was then New Zealand’s turn to take the crowd’s breath away. Andy Ellis produced one of his few moments of brilliance, putting a little chip over the ruck for Sivivatu. Both Hynes and Sivivatu chased and as Hynes stumbled, Sivivatu fell and Tuqiri grounded the ball. Or so it seemed. At a glance, it appeared that Sivivatu had simply fallen, but the replay showed that Hynes had ripped the New Zealander to the ground as he fell. A deserved penalty try was turned down and play continued at 24-19.

Ten minutes later, the game was starting to slip out of New Zealand’s reach. A horror scrum for the Blacks resulted in a turnover. Robinson passed to Giteau, who calmly slotted a field goal off his wrong foot. A little grin, then Giteau was back to business. Next play, the Wallabies well and truly had the game wrapped up. Build-up play from the Australians gave lock James Horwill enough space to barge over for a bonus point win.

In the Australian press, the game (which ended at 34-19), had been talked of as the Deans vs. Henry title bout. The coaches’ positions could scarcely be more opposite. Deans had led the Wallabies for just over a month, with four wins from four, including an epic win over the World Champion Springboks. Henry had led New Zealand to a quarter-final defeat at the World Cup, and a home loss to the ‘Boks. In the end, New Zealand must be ruing their decision to retain Henry and reject Deans.

The game as entertainment was immense. The willingness to attack from both sides was clear. The brutality was big and the excitement huge. The Wallabies are lucky in two areas. First, New Zealand rejected Robbie Deans’ application. Secondly, Australia’s season is growing in difficulty. First there was Ireland, then France. Then, they played the ‘Boks at home. After that there was this match – the All Blacks at home.

Next step will be the Blacks in Auckland on Saturday. Australia werewritten off at the start of this campaign, but they have risen to every challenge impeccably. The next challenge will be daunting, but judging by these last few weeks, Australia could well surprise everyone... again.

For highlights of the Wallabies vs. the All Blacks in Sydney, visit http://youtube.com/watch?v=LUEMF34z86o