Wallabies lock Nathan Sharpe looks on in despair as All Black Dan Carter kicks the match-winning penalty in Sydney last night. Photo / Getty Images
SYDNEY - Doom. Gloom. Blediswoe.
It was more of the same for pained Australian rugby fans this morning as they digested a fifth consecutive defeat to the All Blacks, who defended the Bledisloe Cup for a sixth consecutive year with a 19-18 win at ANZ Stadium last night.
"Blediswoe -
Heartbreak as All Blacks beat us on the bell," whined the Sunday Telegraph newspaper's lead sports headline against a backdrop of Ma'a Nonu's only try of the match.
Inside, Wallabies pivot Matt Giteau was the target for failing to line up a dropped goal in the desperate final seconds of the game.
"It's just one more black night - Giteau blunder adds to Aussies' misery," the headline said.
Former Wallabies captain Andrew Slack said the hosts were the better team but bemoaned "dumb rugby" which cost them dearly.
"(Coach) Robbie Deans' frustration will come not from the effort, physicality or skills of his players but rather their inability to think clearly from minute one to 80," Slack wrote.
Sydney's Sun-Herald took a familiar approach on its front page; forget the losers and focus on a winner: Australia's new world discus champion Dani Samuels.
"Don't mention the rugby (pages 90, 91, if you must); forget about the cricket; meet our new world champion."
Daniel Carter's matchwinning penalty in the 78th minute handed the Wallabies a gut-wrenching defeat, said rugby writer Greg Growden.
"This was the most demoralising of losses for the Wallabies, as they led for most of the test, showed great courage and produced an exceptional defensive effort, but fell just short."
- NZPA
