The understanding between Emirates Western Force players wearing the Wallabies gold was in full display during Saturday night’s match against the All Black with Ben McCalman and James O’Connor linking up to produce Australia’s first try.

McCalman, playing at No.8, broke clear from the back of a scrum to release O'Connor on the wing and the youngster used his impressive pace to burn past several would be defenders and crash over in the corner.
The relationship between McCalman and Pocock in the back row was also a key contributor to the Wallabies impressive start as the home town side appeared destined to break their nine game winless streak against the All Blacks.

But it wasn’t to be, and while the match will be remembered for the Wallabies heartbreaking one point loss, the positive contributions of the Emirates Western Force players will give Perth supporters plenty of encouragement ahead of next season’s Super rugby campaign.

Australia appeared set for victory holding a 22-9 lead with 20 minutes to go but two All Blacks tries allowed the Kiwi’s to snatch a last gasp 23-22 win.

It was the 10th straight victory for the All Blacks over the Wallabies as they ended their Tri-Nations campaign with a 100 per cent record.

The Aussies took a 14-6 lead into the break but it should have been more had the normally reliable goal kicking boots of Matt Giteau been on target. The Wallabies star suffered the yips in front of goal missing several shots that he’d normally nail with deadly accuracy.

The Wallabies were also denied a try after the video ref ruled recalled winger Lachie Turner had touch the sideline with his boot under pressure from Cory James just millimetres before grounding the ball over the try line.

Adam Ashley-Cooper put the Wallabies further in front after the break and with a 13 point advantage it seemed like only an All Blacks miracle could deny Australia a deserved victory.

New Zealand skipper Richie McCaw was the first to find a hole in Australia’s defence as he peeled off the side of the scrum to receive and bound over untouched in the 66th minute.

Piri Weepu's conversion brought the margin within a converted try and the visitors maintain their relentless attack until No.8 Kieran Read barged over next to the upright some six minutes later. The successful conversion put them in front for the first time and they held on to inflict more pain on a gallant Wallabies outfit.

Wallabies 22 (James O'Connor, Adam Ashley-Cooper tries; Matt Giteau 3, Kurtley Beale penalties)
All Blacks 23 (Richie McCaw, Keiran Read tries; Piri Weepu 2 conversions, 3 penalties)


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