All Blacks: Woodcock escapes to fight in Sth Africa

Tony Woodcock. Photo / Getty Images

The All Blacks dodged a citing bullet yesterday as they surveyed nine straight wins against the Wallabies - and now enjoy a week off before heading for a historic test in Soweto against the Springboks.

In an eventful aftermath to the 20-10 victory in Christchurch to retain the Bledisloe Cup, loosehead prop Tony Woodcock yesterday escaped further action from the citing commissioner as experienced lock Brad Thorn bellowed "bring it on" noises about Soweto.

"It will be huge, love it, the bigger the occasion the better," the 35-years-young Thorn said.

He commended the Wallabies for bringing much more to the match than they did in Melbourne.

"We work hard on our defence, and I think everyone knows that is all about attitude. We weren't happy with the way things went in Melbourne and the amount of points they racked up."

The All Blacks' fourth straight Tri-Nations win was proof for traditionalists that the side works better without selection rotation.

The same pack has played in those four tests, and the only backline switches have been at halfback and wing because of injuries to Jimmy Cowan and Joe Rokocoko.

Cowan is still on the injured list with damaged ribs and will need to pass a fitness test this week to head off new father Alby Mathewson for the trip to the Republic.

There was little between the All Blacks and Wallabies, and had the hosts been off their game, they would have been beaten, Thorn said.

The All Blacks were in charge of the transtasman results, but those contests were always dangerous.

The Ranfurly Shield, the Bledisloe Cup then a certain trophy next year were the big three rugby prizes for the veteran lock.

The All Blacks will head to South Africa at the weekend for a solitary test against the Boks, where a bonus point will be enough to regain the Tri-Nations title. Thorn's only target, though, will be a win in Soweto.

Prop Woodcock will be in the travelling group after avoiding any judicial hearing for cleaning up Wallaby hooker Saia Faingaa without the ball as he lay on the All Black side of a pile-up. It was a cheap shot after referee Jonathan Kaplan warned the All Blacks their next culprit would face some censure.

Woodcock's escape then, and from the citing commissioner later, will add more weight to the Springboks' belief the All Blacks are favoured by match officials.

However, the Wallabies looked shy of a match winner in Christchurch.

They had swags of possession but little cutting edge. There is a sameness about their backline size, and James O'Connor can still be worked out of position on defence.

Five-eighths Quade Cooper will make a difference with his playmaking on his return from suspension, and his combination with Will Genia should lift the halfback's game as well for the next test in Sydney on September 11.

Flanker David Pocock was outstanding in a magnificent duel with All Black skipper Richie McCaw.

The Wallabies have been captained by Rocky Elsom, but there is a growing feeling near the team that a reworked leadership pair of Pocock and Genia might be the way forward to the World Cup.

All Black fullback Mils Muliaina said: "When the opportunities arose, we took them and we did not give too many penalties away in the red zone.

"We were under pressure a little bit because they held on to the ball for long periods, but we stayed in the system and didn't get overflustered."

The All Blacks had few doubts their line would hold. They trusted their systems and techniques.

Victory felt just as gratifying as it did eight years ago when the All Blacks reclaimed their transtasman superiority.

"We love the Bledisloe Cup. We touch on it a hell of a lot because it means so much to us."