Cowan likely to miss second Bledisloe Cup match

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Winger Joe Rokocoko reaches out for his 46th test try for the All Blacks.

All Blacks captain Richie McCaw delivers a forearm fend on Wallabies lock Dean Mumm on his way to the try line.

After a professional foul, Wallabies wing Drew Mitchell is shown his second yellow card and ultimately a red card by referee Craig Joubert.

Reaching out in the tackle, All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw scores New Zealand's third try.

Wallabies second-five Berrick Barnes takes down a high kick and braces himself for a hit from All Blacks centre Ma'a Nonu.

Wallabies flanker David Pocock almost loses his shorts as Tom Donnelly does all he can to stop him.

After setting up a try earlier, All Blacks wing Cory Jane crashes over in the tackle of Wallabies Will Genia and Richard Brown.

Halfback Jimmy Cowan, who left the game in the first half with a rib injury, shapes to pass on the inside.

All Blacks halfback Jimmy Cowan receives medical treatment for injured ribs, which would eventually force him from the field in the first half.

Brad Thorn charges into the Australian defence.

All Blacks wing Joe Rokocoko is brought down by Drew Mitchell, as Adam Ashley-Cooper struggles in the background, having been knocked over by Rokocoko.

All Blacks second-five Ma'a Nonu puts in a chip-kick as he runs at the Wallabies defensive line.

Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith celebrate the All Blacks' second try by fullback Mils Muliaina.

On his 30th birthday, All Blacks fullback Mils Muliaina dives over for his first try of the night.

Wallabies lock Nathan Sharpe off-loads the ball in a tackle during the Bledisloe Cup match in Melbourne.

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The All Blacks seem certain to need another halfback for Saturday's rematch with the Wallabies in Christchurch after Jimmy Cowan injured his ribs in the big win in Australia.

Cowan was forced off during the first half of the 49-28 victory at Etihad Stadium last night.

"I think he's sore ... he will struggle to be right for next week," coach Graham Henry said of Cowan, believing the rugged Southlander had rib cartilage damage.

"He tells me he is going to be fine and he's a tough little fella. He's desperate to play any time so he will do his best to get on the track. But I think he will struggle."

The All Blacks have a ready-made replacement in Piri Weepu who came off the bench to continue his hot form.

Wellington's Alby Mathewson was in Melbourne as cover for Weepu who was late arriving in Australia after the birth of his first child.

But Mathewson wasn't required for action and looked to be struggling himself with an ankle injury as the week progressed.

The All Blacks head to Christchurch today to begin preparations for the next assignment against Australia.

The All Blacks have maximum points from three matches in the Tri-Nations after their two earlier wins over South Africa in New Zealand.

They also have a strong grip on the Bledisloe Cup after an outstanding first-up effort against Australia as they continued their stranglehold on Robbie Deans' team.

They were delighted with their Melbourne effort against the Wallabies but certainly not satisfied. In fact they were annoyed that they had allowed a 14-man Australian side to score two second half tries.

"We got a bit ragged tonight," said assistant coach Wayne Smith, always the perfectionist.

"We need to start looking at how we are going to play next week in a couple of areas. We have to put the work in ... I don't think we want to be patting ourselves on the back (yet)."

All Blacks coach Graham Henry believed the opening Tri-Nations win over the Springboks in Auckland remained the benchmark for the year.

Rejuvenated fullback Mils Muliaina, who celebrated his 30th birthday with two tries in Melbourne, agreed.

"We weren't as precise. We were disappointed we let the intensity off once they were down to 14 guys and the way we let them in at the end," he said of Australia losing wing Drew Mitchell to a red card two minutes into the second half.

"It was a lot faster (than against South Africa) and our execution probably wasn't as good as well.

"But any day that you can come and score seven tries against the Wallabies, you have to be pleased with that.

"It's nice to know that we still have that little more to give. We didn't get that execution quite right but next week is a big opportunity to get that right."

He believed the wounded Wallabies would be tougher next week although he admitted the All Blacks' eight-game winning streak was helping the New Zealand cause.

"We have a little bit of an edge now so we can take confidence. But they showed tonight with 14 men how they can come back and attack around the fringes and get reward when they are patient.

"They will be back, we know that. Eight games on the trot ... we don't talk about it as a team because we know we can be run over at any time.

"It's been a big week but we know next week is going to be even bigger."

- © Fairfax NZ News