Sunday, July 30 2006 15:00 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Brisbane (Australia): New Zealand withstood a ferocious second-half assault from Australia to retain the Bledisloe Cup here Saturday with a 13-9 Tri-Nations victory at Lang Park.



The All Blacks led 10-6 at halftime and held on for a gripping victory with Dan Carter's 58th-minute drop goal their only score of a fiercely-contested second half that saw the Wallabies dominate for long periods.

Roared on by a record 52,498 crowd, Australia spent several spells camped deep in New Zealand territory in the final quarter but were kept at bay by a magnificent All Blacks defensive effort as they chased a breakthrough try.

It was New Zealand's seventh win in nine encounters with the Wallabies in the last three years and they will go to Auckland on August 19 with the Bledisloe Cup safely in their keeping.

The All Blacks have now held onto the Cup, symbol of trans-Tasman rugby supremacy, for the fourth consecutive year.

"The Bledisloe Cup is a huge trophy for New Zealand rugby," said kiwi coach Graham Henry.

"New Zealanders are very proud of it, as are the team. It's probably the major trophy that we play for, apart from the one we play for every four years (World Cup), and we are delighted to have won," he said.

The victory stretched New Zealand's lead in the Tri-Nations series to 13 points, seven points clear of the Wallabies, who gained a scoring bonus point with South Africa winless in their two games.

It was an outstanding defensive effort from world rugby's top-ranked team, with skipper and champion open-side flanker Richie McCaw an inspiring man-of-the-match.

"The captain was outstanding. In defence he saved a try in the far right-hand corner and I just thought the defensive effort was superb," Henry said.



"I think it showed real character and courage, and I'm very proud of what the guys did out there," he said.

The Wallabies failed to score a try in a Test for the first time since their 18-9 loss to Ireland in Dublin almost four years ago.

"It was a game that we could have won," Wallabies coach John Connolly said.

"We were in New Zealand's quarter but turned it over three or four times," he said.



"Across the board, I was pretty proud of the effort. It was a step forward. They are a great side. At the moment it's their time, the All Blacks, and we showed tonight we're not too far away," he said.

The All Blacks, who did not perform their controversial 'throat-slitting' version of the haka before the kick-off, dominated the opening half.

Winger Joe Rokocoko, who complained this week of a lack of scoring opportunities, gave New Zealand an early advantage with the game's only try in the 10th minute after a Stirling Mortlock penalty in the ninth minute.

Blindside flanker Jerry Collins gave Rokocoko the space and he shrugged off Rocky Elsom's tackle and stepped inside fullback Chris Latham to score a powerful try, converted by Dan Carter for a 7-3 lead.

Winger Lote Tuqiri wasted a potential try when he was penalised for pushing hooker Keven Mealamu to the ground in the chase after a loose ball deep inside New Zealand's half nine minutes before the interval.

Twice in the opening minutes of the second half, New Zealand's powerful scrum wheeled and destroyed Australia's tight five on the home side's put-in.

But the Australians came more into the match and had a great chance 14 minutes into the second half when Mortlock sliced through Aaron Mauger's tackle and sent winger Mark Gerrard clear, only to be collared 10 metres short by McCaw.

Carter gave the All Blacks a seven-point buffer with a drop goal midway through the half after the Wallabies had dominated possession.

Mortlock kicked his third penalty minutes later and Australia pressured the All Blacks with a series of pick and drives before spreading the ball to the right, but Gerrard dropped it to give the Kiwis some respite.

Mortlock again broke the line, but from the next ruck replacement Phil Waugh's pass went over the sideline.

Australia take on South Africa in the Tri-Nations in Sydney next Saturday, while the All Blacks have three weeks off until they face the Wallabies again in Auckland.