Australia 18 - 19 New Zealand: All Blacks count cost of brutal Tri-Nations encounter

Published on Sunday 23 August 2009 23:27

NEW Zealand's last-gasp win over Australia at the Olympic Stadium on Saturday came at a high cost with centres Luke McAlister and Conrad Smith both expected to miss the rest of the Tri- Nations series with injuries.

McAlister fractured his cheekbone while Smith tore his hamstring in a torrid clash that left both teams bloodied and bruised.

All Blacks coach Graham Henry said it was unlikely McAlister and Smith would play in their two remaining matches. "The two centres are not too good and I think Conrad will take some time," he said.

McAlister was involved in two heavy head clashes. He was left dazed and bleeding from the mouth after colliding with Australia scrum-half Luke Burgess in the opening minutes then broke his cheekbone after running into replacement wing Peter Hynes in the second half.

The Australians were also left with a hefty casualty count after a match packed with brutal hits from both teams before being decided by the boot of All Blacks' stand-off Dan Carter. Centre Berrick Barnes did not return to the field in the second half after he went to the interval concussed and complaining of a sore neck but is hopeful of playing against South Africa next week.

Teenage full-back James O'Connor was sent to hospital for scans on his leg after limping off in the second half but was also cleared of any serious damage.

"James O'Connor's x-ray was clear so that's a good start," said Wallabies coach Robbie Deans. "It was just a blow to the lower leg ... but obviously it's still a bit uncomfortable."

Blindside flanker Rocky Elsom, playing his first Test this year after returning from a knee injury, hurt his ankle while lock Nathan Sharpe was nursing a shoulder problem.

The Wallabies, yet to win a match in this year's Tri-Nations, host South Africa in the next two weekends before travelling to New Zealand next month for the final leg of the competition.

Carter, making his international comeback after rupturing his Achilles tendon at the start of the year, was able to laugh off his missed drop goal attempt after nailing the one that really mattered.

Carter opened the scoring with a penalty in the third minute and it was his boot that kept New Zealand in the hunt for most of the match. But with around 15 minutes to go substitute Ma'a Nonu crossed for the game's only try and Carter's conversion from the sideline got the All Blacks in front for the first time.

It was short-lived, though, as Matt Giteau slotted his sixth penalty to hand the Wallabies an 18-16 lead. Then, with five minutes to go, came Carter's loose drop-goal effort.

"I thought there was a bit of an opportunity for a droppie. The execution didn't quite go to plan," he said. "I was joking with the boys to make up for that attempt by slotting that penalty at the end."