3 things which helped All Blacks overcome Australia

NZ Herald

19 Oct, 2014 10:21 PM2 mins to read

These All Blacks simply don't know when they are beaten. This was Dublin all over again. Maybe it was even braver because the opposition were better and had given them nothing all night. They had to pull the rabbit out of the hat when it looked like they surely couldn't. And then, fourth-choice first-five, Colin Slade had to nail a tough conversion. What a kick. What a game and the All Blacks can wake up this morning and be proud of their courage and commitment. They can look at themselves in the mirror and smile because they know they have once again dodged a bullet.

How the All Blacks came back from 10 points down with 12 minutes to go in Brisbane.

Replacements
Sam Cane, TJ Perenara, Keven Mealamu, Charlie Faumuina, Charles Piutau and Colin Slade all played their part for the All Blacks in the final stages. One of the team's great strengths is the depth and impact the bench can provide and these six in particular played their roles extremely well. Special mention should go to Cane for his defence and turnover near the end.

Malakai Fekitoa's resilience
This was a tough test for Fekitoa. He was found out on defence by Christian Leali'ifano in the lead up to Nick Phipps' try, and his hands let him down on another occasion. However, it was his burst past Bernard Foley and try in the 80th minute which sealed what was an unlikely win for his team. Fekitoa never let the setbacks get to him and his try was a testament to the x-factor he possesses.

Self belief

Being behind on the scoreboard with time ticking down is not a new thing for the All Blacks. They got through three extremely tough tests against France, England and Ireland at the end of last year, then did it again in the final stages against England at Eden Park in June and the Springboks in Wellington recently. Those experiences of winning in the toughest of circumstances have given them a remarkable coolness under fire.