All Blacks Destroy Wallabies In Sydney

Publish Date
Sunday, 21 August 2016, 12:18AM

The Wallabies spent much of the build up to this test suggesting no one rated them. They would appear to be a prescient bunch.

As destruction jobs go, this was total by the All Blacks. A performance for the ages such was its precision, skill, pace and artistry. In all the years of rivalry between these two teams, rarely has there been such a one-sided contest.

There wasn't a moment of drama or nervousness. After one half-attack which yielded a penalty, the Wallabies barely featured as a serious force.

They were, largely if not exclusively, awful - their ineptitude in direct contrast to the All Blacks' excellence and there really is now no confusion as to which of the two sides is under the most pressure.

The Wallabies weren't able to even get the gun out of the holster, as it were, let alone fire a shot as much of the damage was inflicted in the first half, a period of supreme and relentless excellence from the All Blacks.

They owned the ball, they looked after it supremely well and their decision-making was faultless. The All Blacks looked so easy on the ball, so comfortable and confident.

Beauden Barrett was magnificent - assured, relaxed, accurate and deadly - and made so much happen. The Wallabies couldn't cope with his speed. He'd accelerate and be through a hole and, all of a sudden, there were acres of space opening up around him and tay calm, pick the right next play and drive the dagger in that bit deeper.

Read the full report by Gregor Paul at NZ Herald

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