Mark Ella: Wallabies unable to crack the black wall

Richie McCaw of the All Blacks fends off Saia Faingaa of the Wallabies. Photo / Getty Images

Opinion

In many ways Saturday's Bledisloe Cup went according to plan with a much better performance from the Wallabies in Christchurch and a result that went the All Blacks' way.

The Wallabies were gallant in defeat but, no matter how much pride they recovered after a lacklustre performance in Melbourne one week ago, the fact is they continue to come second to an All Black side that refuses to give them an inch.

The Wallabies had the greater run of play for much of the game, dominating possession, making the New Zealanders defend for much of the match but, as usual, the All Blacks were up to the task.

Unfortunately, much of the Wallabies' attack, especially in the first half, was sideways even though they controlled the football and didn't allow the All Blacks' defence to fluster them.

After the game's three tries were scored in a flurry in the first 15 minutes, defence took over in an absorbing match that could have gone either way.

The inconsistent Wallabies have struggled to put together a decent showing against the All Blacks for a long time now but they played with a passion and commitment that has been severely lacking.

And while the record will show that their performances against the All Blacks is an embarrassing 9-0, they showed some of their potential which coach Robbie Deans has been promoting since he took on the job three years ago.

The Wallabies' backline finally had some bite to it with Anthony Faingaa forming a strong centre combination with Adam Ashley-Cooper, whose size and strength created trouble for the All Blacks' defence every time he touched the football.

It was a game to be won but the Wallabies wasted at least three great try-scoring opportunities with some sloppy passing which stopped them in their tracks and again highlighted their inconsistencies.

Deans will have a hard decision to make with the mercurial Quade Cooper returning to the squad for their match against the Springboks at the end of the month and the Wallabies' most experienced player, Matt Giteau, will be lucky to hold on to his spot in the team.

The All Blacks again showed what a great team they are, by holding their composure under constant pressure, leading all the way and making the Wallabies play off the back foot.

The All Blacks had the better of the scrum although the Wallabies exerted all of the pressure at the lineout, where they challenged the hosts.

And while it wasn't the usual sublime performance from the All Blacks, it was enough to ensure that the Bledisloe Cup remains in New Zealand for another year.

After a month of bruising rugby against the Wallabies and Springboks, the All Blacks will relish the opportunity to rest their players before stepping up again against the Springboks in Johannesburg on August 22.

The All Blacks have set the standard for the rugby world to follow and coach Graham Henry should be proud of what he and the players have achieved, but as he will tell you, it is only the next game that matters.

Mark Ella played 25 tests for the Wallabies.