2 Nov 2008

All Blacks come from behind to beat Wallabies

2:39 pm on 2 November 2008

The All Blacks have come from behind to beat Australia 19-14 in their Bledisloe Cup rugby Test in Hong Kong to complete a 3-1 series victory.

But the win came at a cost with an ankle injury to hooker Andrew Hore early in the game ruling him out of the tour of Britain and Ireland, starting in Scotland next weekend. There's no decision yet on a replacement.

The match didn't live up to expectations with players from both sides having trouble adapting to the slippery surface and the large crowd becoming increasingly frustrated with the Irish referee Alan Lewis.

Two tries to Drew Mitchell took the Wallabies to a 14-9 lead at half-time with three Dan Carter penalties keeping the All Blacks in touch.

Sitiveni Sivivatu scored just after the break and the All Blacks forwards began to assert control.

Coach Graham Henry then replaced Stephen Donald at first-five, moved Carter back to his usual position and brought on Ma'a Nonu at second-five.

The All Blacks immediately looked more dangerous and went ahead for the first time with 15 minutes to go when McCaw scrambled over in the corner for the winning try.