It’s been a big weekend for Australian sport.
Both rugby league and union teams faced off against New Zealand in equally punishing matches.
Maddison Nunn reports.
TRANSCRIPT
The Wallabies destroyed their chances of a third World Cup title after losing their semi-final against the All Blacks.
From the opening minute, an early blooper from Cooper saw New Zealand take the lead.
Refusing to budge on the ball the All Blacks continued to maintain possession right to the end.
The Wallabies haven’t won a game at Eden Park since 1986, and last night’s 20-6 loss didn’t make the disappointment any easier.
James Horwill, Wallabies Captain: “We came here with one thing in mind and that was to win it and at the moment we’ve fallen short of that.”
Quade Cooper was off form but responded in the second half by providing Australia’s only drop kick for the game.
It was a different result hours earlier when in Rugby League the Kangaroos smashed New Zealand 42 to 6, in a test match at Newcastle’s Augrid Stadium.
The trans-Tasman warriors were no match for the young Aussie squad but weren’t pulling any punches.
Captain Darren Lockyer took a high elbow to the jaw from Kiwis prop Russell Packer early in the game, and Aussie back-rower Sam Thaiday fell hard after a low blow from Isaac Luke.
Their teammates weren’t impressed.
Johnathan Thurston, Kangaroos Halfback: “Y’know I think that the officials really need to come down hard on those tackles.”
In cricket, the Aussies have lost to a determined South Africa, squaring the two-match 20-20 series to a one-all draw.
An unexpected surge in the final five overs secured South Africa 50 runs off just 22 balls.
The defeat comes after Vice Captain Shane Watson was forced to pull out with a hip strain, opening the spot for young-gun Mitchell Marsh to bat 39 off just 26 balls.
In the Australian Moto GP, Casey Stoner made sure it was an extra special birthday by winning the title his fifth in a row.
The 26-year-old crossed the line at Phillip Island yesterday afternoon to secure his second World Championship.
Casey Stoner, Aust Moto GP winner: “Y’know, five in a row, just not much gets better than today.”
Maddison Nunn, QUT News.