The 2009 Tri-Nations kicked off with the first of the Bledisloe Cup matches. This match was a credit to how close this years competition promises to be, with the on form Wallabies fronting up to the All-Blacks in Auckland. Australia got off to a flying start with Barnes crossing the try line in the first 5 minutes of the match, completing a well worked team try. With the wind behind them the Wallabies continued to dominate of the first 25 minutes, with Gitteau slotting two penalties to make the lead 13-3. The first half was a struggle for New Zealand with many of their top players being starved of game time due to injury. The line out was not functioning correctly loosing two of their throw in's during the first half. After a rusty first 30 minutes from the All-Black captain, Richie McCaw, he clawed back some credibility by scoring the only New Zealand try to go into the break 13-10. This set up a great second half, in the 45 minute the All-Black coaching staff started bringing on the subs and this proved to be the difference. With the wind behind him Stephan Donald kicked four penalties to Giteaus one which left the final score at 22-16 to the All-Blacks. This game was massively physical, with George Smith and Wycliffe Paulu doing some great work on the ground for Australia. Jarome Kayno and Rodney Soalo stood out for New Zealand. As the great All-Black Tano Umange once said about the Tri-Nations; "well it isn't tiddly winks". This Tri-Nations could the the hardest and closest competition in years.
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