All Blacks throw down the gauntlet saying “Catch us if you can”: Bledisloe Cup tucked away for another year

BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE

High in confidence after their memorable World Cup triumph, the mighty All Blacks reminded the Wallabies that their pain was to continue for another year, 14 consecutive in fact, thrashing their trans-Tasman rivals to take a firm hold of the Bledisloe Cup for another year.

The retirements of Richie McCaw, Dan Carter and a host of others who formed that fearsome All Black World Cup winning team threw a glimmer of hope to the other nations
about their possible vulnerability as the world champion regrouped with their emerging stars.

But it has made little difference to a nation which could throw together another line up that could still beat the other nations in the world game.

Under mastermind Steve Hansen and new skipper Kieran Reid, the All Blacks were ruthless in the Wallabies capitulation exposing weaknesses never seen in the Gold jumper
for a long period of time.

They outplayed the usually tough Aussies in the forwards battle and tore gaping holes in the back line to destroy any hidden aspirations the Wallabies had and reduced them to a broken and tortured mess. 42-8 and 29-9 showed the true extent of the All Black dominance over the Wallabies and a widening gap against all comers.

Exit McCaw enter Reid, exit Dan Carter enter Beauden Barrett and the All Blacks appear to have not missed a beat as they continued the juggernaut that that has rolled on since the World Cup.

Barrett, though not yet in the class of Carter and a few other illustrious All Black play makers before him, is quickly showing signs that there is an unlimited flow of outside halves emerging from a nation blessed with the best rugby talent in the world.

As the four nations tournament takes over interest after the Bledisloe Cup has now been decided, the All Blacks put on another clinic against the rugged Pumas from Argentina before reducing them to a sorry bunch in a 57-22 hiding.

The Wallabies have regrouped after their disappointment against their nemesis pulling off a close win over the Springboks crucially addressing their failures in the line outs and defence failings in the back line.

If form is anything to go by, the All Blacks look set to claim the four nation’s title won by the Wallabies last year and it would be a fitting reward to a team that refuses to take its hands off the throttle in a relentless display of dominance.