Wallabies enjoy half-time lead - report

Australia 13 New Zealand 7

Australia have dominated the first half of the first Rugby World Cup to lead the All Blacks at half-time.

The Wallabies had issued a ``don't die wondering'' cry coming into the game, aware how important the opening 20 minutes would be setting a pattern for the game.

Immediately Australia showed their intentions by spinning the ball wide and trying to run the ball clear from inside their own 22.

They strung together phase after phase, with the pack securing quick ball, but as Australia worked up field, fly-half Stephen Larkham opted for attempted drop-goal, missed.

After five minutes of the game, New Zealand had not touched the ball, had made 28 tackles but Australia had not even reached their 22.

And the All Blacks hit back, inspired by a break through the middle from number eight Jerry Collins, but Joe Rokocoko was stopped out wide by a crunching tackle from, by all people, Wendell Sailor.

The former rugby league star had been criticised for supposed weak defence, but there was nothing shoddy about his tackle on Rokocoko, the All Blacks’ try-scoring sensation.

The ball was then spun wide right and it was Lote Tuqiri who preserved the Wallaby line with a try-saving tackle on fullback Mils Muliaina.

As Carlos Spencer probed for another opening, New Zealand were stung.

Nine minutes in, centre Stirling Mortlock read Spencer’s mind, picked off an attempted cut-out pass and sprinted from his own 22 to give Australia the lead.

Leon MacDonald then missed an attempted penalty for New Zealand as George Gregan’s side secured the early initiative.

Elton Flatley's penalty after further Australian pressure extended the Wallaby lead to 10-0, and McDonald missed another penalty attempt before Flatley scored a further penalty on 34 minutes.

Eventually the All Blacks did get going, and Carlos Spencer fed his captain Rueben Thorne for a try to get New Zealand back into the match.

McDonald converted successfully to give the All Blacks renewed hope going into the second half.