Rugby videos of tackles, tries, funny incidents and more: Classic Encounter - Wallabies snatch victory over All Blacks in 2001

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Classic Encounter - Wallabies snatch victory over All Blacks in 2001

The 2009 Tri Nations series kicks off this weekend as the Wallabies travel to Auckland to see if they can beat the All Blacks there for the first time in 23 years. As a preview, we've pulled out footage from the 2001 thriller that was decided in the last minute by a now famous Toutai Kefu try.

Stadium Australia played host to an emotional evening as Australian rugby said goodbye to Michael Foley, Joe Roff, and legendary captain John Eales.

It turned out to he the perfect send off as this was the ultimate finale between the greatest of rivals, as winner took all in what was effectively a final of the Tri Nations.

Chris Latham got up high for the first try of the match as he soared above Jonah Lomu to collect a Stephen Larkham bomb before crashing over. Matt Burke was on fine kicking form, as he pushed the score up to 16-3 with four from four.

They resumed at 19-6 after halftime, but the All Blacks came back strong through a break by Pita Alatini, with Doug Howlett finishing off. Alatini and Lomu then combined, as the center flew over untouched for another great try.

It was a sensational comeback, with further penalties taking them up to a 26-19 lead. Australia got another penalty to take the score up to within four with less than a minute left on the clock.

From a lineout, it was Gregan to Larkham, who then backhanded it to the powerful Toutai Kefu who charged through the defense for a dramatic try in the dying seconds.

It was a fairytale win for the Wallabies and a perfect send off for their great leader John Eales, as the pulsating 29-26 win resulted in them successfully defending the Tri Nations.

"It's great to go out with a win," said an emotional Eales afterwards.

"I guess I'll have to buy Toutai Kefu a beer for that."

Time: 06:49

classic match. a real cracker

By olympic-rugby.org, at July 15, 2009 3:41 pm
i still remember that night :), we were at some quiz function and they had this little tv set up for the blokes who wanted to watch the game, absolutly brilliant

By Anonymous, at July 15, 2009 3:56 pm
This was actually a far better game than the so-called 2000 "game of the century,"......which had pretty ordinary defense.

The pass from Walker as he gets that huge looping hospital pass from larkham with Lomu steaming up on him was special at 5.30

By Anonymous, at July 15, 2009 4:14 pm
I think this is when the IRB had the game just about perfect. Was a Golden Era of rugby.

By Boz, at July 15, 2009 6:24 pm
Genuine classic. Legend of a try by Kefu. Loved watching Latham get above Jonah.

Will never forget this match. It was an amazing two years for the Tri Nations. I cant wait for saturday. :)

By FrankyH, at July 15, 2009 9:10 pm
It is amazing to think this was eight years ago! I only started watching rugby in 2003 (due to the world cup) and so listening to the names like Anton Oliver and Kelleher who I remember from the 2007 world cup is quite funny.

By Les Bleus, at July 16, 2009 3:27 am
Amazing game! It'll always be a classic :)

Great playing from both sides.

By Phil, at July 16, 2009 5:45 am
Hi Guys, anyone know any more about this Pita Alatini number 12 for the all blacks, ive never noticed him before, looks like he was a real talent?

By pookie, at July 16, 2009 8:47 am
Pita Alatini made history when he played against Tonga, because he played against his brother, who also wore no12.

By jorge, at July 16, 2009 10:09 am
That last missed tackle cost Ron Cribb his All Black career

By JD, at July 16, 2009 10:24 am
Pita Alatini, this was his last game i think for the all blacks. He fell out of favour to arron maujor eventualy and moved to play in japan. he married a south african singer.

By poopaul, at July 16, 2009 11:02 am
Lumu got lost at the beginning! Looking around for a contact lense...What a game!

By Bradders, at July 16, 2009 1:52 pm
How did I spell that wrong!! *Lomu*.

By Bradders, at July 16, 2009 1:53 pm
jeeze this was such a great game. everytime i see him score that final try i get so excited. the kiwis were whinging about this for years.

By Anonymous, at July 16, 2009 2:17 pm
HMmmmmm makes you wonder exactly how much of a legend lomu is? He looked lost on defense sometimes and that really was a pathetic atempt at the high ball that led to oz try. Do you think he would be known as such a legend if he had entered the sport 5 years later than he did? All the players are so much bigger and physical now days.

By bangbang, at July 16, 2009 2:24 pm
Bangbang: I don't know he looked prety good steaming down the left wing running over some Aussies for a try.....

All Blacks must have been food poisoned agin in this one....

By Anonymous, at July 16, 2009 2:47 pm
bangbang.. Jonah is the reason that wingers and backline players are generally bigger these days. He changed the game forever. Dont forget that. His impact was huge, excuse the pun..

Classic match. Cheers

By Dave, at July 16, 2009 3:57 pm
point taken dave :)

By bangbang, at July 16, 2009 4:42 pm
loved that era of rugby

By Unknown, at July 16, 2009 5:13 pm
Ron Cribb was all falsh and no work. I'd be surpried if OZ had not targeted is defense on the back as a weakness if they were close to the line.

OZ has never replaced T. Kefu - a legend.

By Boz, at July 16, 2009 8:11 pm
3N tomorrow woo hoo!!!!
Guys how funny would a clip of all the ozzy commentators comments be. " hey kearnsy did you see drew mitchels attempt at a banana kick, yeh it was a rotten banana" hahahahaha and all thier stuff in the super 14 " was that a prob sidestepping? we will have to have a word with him" hahahhahahaha

By kearnsy, at July 17, 2009 2:32 pm
you mean prop :)

By jef, at July 17, 2009 2:33 pm
pita alatini was class

By rosh, at April 21, 2010 6:25 pm
How good was Pita Alatini? Couldn't believe John Mitchell didn't take him to the 2003 WC. Came back to bite him in the proverbial. Such a waste....

By Unknown, at May 04, 2010 3:03 pm