Andrew Slack: All Blacks fail to back themselves

COMMENT

When you've struggled to get your hands on the ball in the first five minutes of a match and then when you eventually do, you throw it to the other mob who run 80 metres to score, the odds are that you're in for a long night.

Forget the talk of secret weapons and uncovered ruses. The Wallabies did exactly what everyone knew they needed to do. They won possession and they didn't squander it.

Under the pressure caused by tackling non-stop for most of the opening exchanges, and beyond, the All Blacks made the mistake of not reverting to type.

For most of this season and certainly in the World Cup thus far, New Zealand have backed themselves. Down 7-0, they were awarded a penalty 42 metres out and 13 metres from the sideline. It was one of those tough ones. Will we go for the three points or will we back ourselves? They went for the three and failed.

I was mildly surprised.

Half-an-hour into the game and now down by 10, the All Blacks received another penalty. It was just in from the sideline and a 30-70 chance of success. The real New Zealand team of 2003 would have forsaken the penalty attempt and backed themselves to nail the try. Saturday night's team did not.

The kick was missed and the Wallabies will have realised by that decision, the All Blacks were feeling the pressure. It was a pivotal moment, and for those who saw this New Zealand team as one who backed themselves in nearly every circumstance, it was a shock.

Nevertheless, it was early days and the Wallabies still had much to do. That they did it with aplomb and an enormous amount of courage is clear.

The backs executed better than they have all season and the dominating presence of Stirling Mortlock in the midfield was a key factor, but none of the Wallaby fly-by-night division could accept the accolades without first paying homage to those eight in front who dismantled their previously revered opposition.

Coach Eddie Jones has persevered most of the season with George Smith and Phil Waugh, two openside flankers by birthright, as two-thirds of his back-row make-up.

As individuals they have performed well, but the jury has been out about the combination. Jones maintained it was with this game in mind that the experiment had been prolonged.

Nobody can argue that it was anything but an unqualified success.

The lineout belonged to Australia, the restarts belonged to Australia and apart from one scrum, that area of combat gave New Zealand only momentary joy.

Mils Muliaina, Doug Howlett, Carlos Spencer and Joe Rokocoko. Wonderful talents each of them, but without the ball they become just bit players.

Howlett looked dangerous with the ball in hand. Was it twice he got a touch or maybe thrice? Either way, not enough to bother a thumping Australian defence.

Much has been spoken about the more attacking nature of this World Cup, but as it was in 1991 and 1999, it was tackling that was the Wallabies' greatest strength.

On the rare occasions the All Blacks secured a flow of ball, there was an impregnable wall of gold in front. What's worse, it was a wall that moved. Forward and together.

There was a military precision in Rod Macqueen's Australian teams. Jones' charges haven't displayed it until now.

But, oh, what a time to step forward.

They defied the formbook, and the danger now faces them as it did the French four years ago. What physical and emotional gas is left in the tank?

After the less-than-perfect displays in recent weeks, it took real ticker to back themselves on Saturday night, to not kick the ball away when the New Zealand defence was in their face.

Their performance makes it very difficult to think they can't get up just one more time.

* Andrew Slack is a former Wallaby skipper.