Mehrtens scores a perfect ten

Andrew Mehrtens kicked a perfect 10 from 10 to contribute 29 points as New Zealand chalked up a resounding win over Australia in their Tri-Nations clash yesterday.

Although Australia, trailing 22-3 at the interval, hit back with two tries in the second half, the All Blacks were always comfortably in charge.

New Zealand managed only one try but Mehrtens quickly booted them into an unassailable lead and was successful with all 10 kicks, one conversion and nine penalties.

Asked if he was worried about Australia scoring two tries to one, All Blacks coach John Hart said: "The 34-15 scoreline looked pretty good to me. That was a very good win. We knew we had to start well and stop the momentum of Australia, and we did. It was a very satisfying night at the office.

"Tonight's win was very important to gain a decent gauge on where we are and we are reasonably happy." He also praised New Zealand captain Taine Randell. "Taine played his best match for the All Blacks," he said.

Wallaby coach Rod McQueen admitted New Zealand played the better game. "The All Blacks started so well and we started slowly. We were under tremendous pressure and made a lot of simple errors," he said.

"That will have to improve if we are to do any good in the Bledisloe Cup {against New Zealand} and the Tri-Nations, but the World Cup is our ultimate goal. It's better to get things ironed out at this stage than get to the World Cup and be found wanting."

Australia, who went into the game on the back of a 10-match unbeaten run, were woeful in the first half and gifted New Zealand their ninth-minute try when winger Joe Roff fumbled the ball on his own line and fly-half Justin Marshall pounced to score.

Mehrtens, who had already opened the scoring with a penalty, duly added the conversion and then kicked another penalty three minutes later when Australia were caught offside.

That put the All Blacks 13-0 ahead with only 15 minutes gone and their fly-half added three more penalties before the interval with just one successful penalty kick by Wallaby full-back Matthew Burke in response.

After a storming run from All Blacks hooker Anton Oliver two minutes after the interval, the Wallabies were again penalised for obstruction in the resultant ruck and Mehrtens made it seven from seven shots at goal to put New Zealand up 25-3. He made it eight from eight five minutes later when the Wallabies again infringed at a ruck.

The Wallabies' first real chance came in the 51st minute when centre Daniel Herbert broke through the All Blacks defence and was heading for a try under the posts before his opposite number, Christian Cullen, brought him down with a copybook ankle-high tackle.

Australia were not to be denied and George Gregan scored by beating opposing scrum-half Marshall behind the line to a loose ball from a scrum. Burke, however, missed the conversion.

Mehrtens slotted his eighth penalty after Wallaby prop Glenn Panoho used his elbow in a ruck. In contrast, Burke was kicking for touch or Gregan was using tap penalties in the hope of setting up a try instead of going for goal.

So far behind were they that this was really the only choice for Australia and it finally paid off after 69 minutes when a slick backline move put Herbert over for a try under the posts. Burke converted to make it 31-15.

It was the best period of the game for Australia and they took over the territorial and possession dominance so long held by the All Blacks, but it was far too late to make any practical difference.

With the match also counting as part of the Bledisloe Cup, it put New Zealand in with a great chance of regaining the trophy. The All Blacks success ended Australia's winning streak at 10, including their three clashes against New Zealand last season.

The Wallabies were trying to beat the 10 straight wins by the 1991-92 squad.

Australian captain David Wilson equalled a record as the most capped flanker in his 65th match but it was a miserable way to mark it. "It was a very poor performance in the first half,'' said Wilson. "The All Blacks controlled it very well and we weren't in it at all. The All Blacks put pressure on us and we made mistakes."

New Zealand lost a record five straight matches last year but have bounced back with victories over Samoa, France, South Africa and Australia already this season.

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