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Originally Posted by Slava
Nailed it.
Truthfully that wasn't close. It tightened up when the All Blacks were down a man, but really aside from that it was New Zealand doing what they wanted. I also think that Australia ought to have been carded a couple times. First on the late hit/shoulder charge on Dan Carter and second on the player who dove over the ruck and smacked the ball away. That was clearly an intentional knock on.
Leading up to this game it seemed like Hopper and Pocock were the main chance for the Wallabies. They were expected to create turnovers and really the breakdowns were all New Zealand. They were generating the turnovers far more frequently, and then their running was much more impressive.
I know that the Aussies pulled to within four at one point, but if Smith hadn't been sent off I think they were simply outclassed. Just solid dominance.
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Meh, I back the side I picked from day one. All things considered I would and will continue to back the Aussies, I like their footy.
Clearly NZ were the better side, of that there is no doubt. Losing Giteau really hurt the Aussies, he organizes a lot in D.
The Kepu hit (shoulder charge) was dealt with properly. Nigel looked at it in real time and not only was it not a shoulder charge is was marginally late. Proper application of the law.
I think Smith was hard done on the yellow, but once he passes horizontal there is no choice for the ref, had he driven him it would have been a red.