All Blacks Bonus Point Win

Despite going behind to an early seven pointer, the All Blacks opened the Tri-Nations series with a comprehensive 32-12 victory over Australia in Christchurch’s Jade Stadium

Despite going behind to an early seven pointer, the All Blacks opened the Tri-Nations series with a comprehensive 32-12 victory over Australia in Christchurch’s Jade Stadium. Lote Tuquiri gave the Wallabies the lead with a try after 15 minutes but the viitors then lost Rocky Elsom and while he was in the sin-bin, the All Blacks scored twice – two tries for Keven Mealamu – and never looked back.

After their trip Down Under last month, Ireland coach Eddie O’Sullivan was of the opinion that the Wallabies were a better side than the All Blacks but that assertion looked somewhat wide of the mark on this performance.

And apparently All Blacks coach Graham Henry was none too impressed with comparisons the Irish coach made about the respecive scrum halves, Stephen Larkham and Dan Carter, O’Sullivan nominating Larkham as the outstanding pivot in world rugby.

“It’s amazing the knowledge of some of the coaches around the world about the teams they don’t coach,” Henry said. “Daniel Carter is a young guy. What’s he . . . 23 or 24? Stephen Larkham is an old fellow. What’s he . . . 33 or 34? So he’s had a lot of time in the saddle. When he [Larkham] was 23 or 24, he probably had guys outside him like [Pat] Howard and company, who talked to him. He’s probably still got them. Howard’s replacements are now talking to him”

In fact Larkham was 32 in May but Henry went on to say “I think Daniel Carter is a fabulous young talent, and have a huge amount of time for him as a person. If he’s the finished article now, I’d be very surprised. Stephen Larkham, at the same age, probably showed a lot of potential like Daniel Carter has.”

Henry then asked. “Who is going to finish up as the better player in 18 months’ time? Can you answer that question ” before delivering a sharp little rap on the knuckles with, “Eddie O’Sullivan perhaps could. Can we ring him and find out?”