Australian players celebrate Scott Staniforth's try which won them the game against the All Blacks. Photo / Getty Images
Australian rugby media were singing the praises of their national side while questioning New Zealand's World Cup prospects this morning after the Wallabies stunned the All Blacks 20-15 in Melbourne on Saturday.
Led by their inspirational captain Stirling Mortlock, Australia scored two late tries while keeping New Zealand
scoreless in the second half to grab their first win against the All Blacks since 2004.
Under the headline "Golden win" Sydney's Sunday Telegrapgh claimed the All Blacks dominance "has been broken".
"The Australians were wild with delight, as they were four years ago when Mortlock spearheaded an unlikely win in the 2003 World Cup semi-final," wrote Peter Jenkins.
"The significance of victory cannot be underestimated. The Wallabies have not won the Bledisloe Cup since 2002."
Melbourne's Herald Sun rugby writer Dave Donaghy said the Wallabies have struck the psychological blow needed in such an important year.
"Suddenly the World Cup field has been blown wide open, the seemingly impenetrable armour of the All Blacks stripped away," he said.
"Scott Staniforth's try with nine minutes remaining could come back to haunt New Zealand in three months' time."
The Sydney Morning Herald's rugby writer Greg Growden steered clear of predicting World Cup disaster for the All Blacks, instead focusing on the Wallabies performance - Mortlock's in particular.
"When it mattered they (Australia) stood up and turned a 15-6 deficit into a 20-15 winning scoreline, primarily through the extravagance of their attack, led well by captain Stirling Mortlock.
"Mortlock succeeded in exposing his opposite Luke McAlister in drift defence, as was expected when the All Blacks had to dramatically change their backline formation on Friday."
Meanwhile, in his Sydney Morning Herald column ecstatic Wallaby coach John Connolly put the win into perspective.
"This is still a one-off win. There is still much work to do," he said.
"Occasions like the Bledisloe Cup last night is probably the biggest after the World Cup. The win will give us confidence and plenty of elements to work on."
-NZ HERALD STAFF
View photos