Australia vs New Zealand LIVE: Rugby Championship result and reaction as All Blacks retain title
The All Blacks sealed a third successive Rugby Championship title as they blew Australia and Eddie Jones apart with a 38-7 victory in Melbourne
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Your support makes all the difference.New Zealand wrapped up a third successive Rugby Championship title with a 38-7 victory over rivals Australia in Melbourne.
While the Wallabies showed improvement defensively, they struggled to match the pace and power of the All Blacks, who appear to be hitting formidable form ahead of the Rugby World Cup.
Tries from Shannon Frizell, Codie Taylor, Will Jordan, Caleb Clarke, Mark Telea and Rieko Ioane ensured that the Bledisloe Cup will remain in New Zealand’s hands for another year, extending their run with the trans-Tasman trophy to 21 years ahead of next week’s encounter in Dunedin.
And injuries to tighthead props Allan Alaalatoa and Taniela Tupou will only cause Eddie Jones further frets as a tough start to his second stint in charge of Australia continues.
Follow live updates from Australia vs New Zealand in the final round of the Rugby Championship below
Australia 7-5 New Zealand, 18 minutes
A Richie Mo’unga stab over the top lands between Australian bodies, both the kicker himself and Brodie Retallick not quite able to gather as Wallaby hands get to it first.
The New Zealand chisel is out again, Beauden Barrett chipping away once more, and Samu Kerevi’s needless collision with the All Blacks full-back draws Wayne Barnes’s whistle. New Zealand into Australia’s 22.
Australia 7-5 New Zealand, 16 minutes
Beauden Barrett’s short game is in better working order, a delicate little chip perfectly weighted into an onrushing Will Jordan’s hands. But Australia are managing to busy themselves at the breakdown, Scott Barrett chopped down low and Rob Valetini jackalling effectively. Gordon misses touch with his punted penalty, though.
Missed penalty! Australia 7-5 New Zealand, 14 minutes
Not the best from the new Wallabies fly-half, tugging it off the tee and wide of the left-hand post. It was simple enough, 35 out or so and just off-centre to the right - three points slip by.
Australia 7-5 New Zealand, 12 minutes
It’s been fast and physical so far, Australia good in phase play, Tate McDermott and Carter Gordon playing quickly around the fringes. Ardie Savea drives back Mark Nawaqanitawase as the wing goes on another infield explore, but Wayne Barnes isn’t happy with the angle of the All Blacks skipper’s resultant counter-ruck. Penalty to Australia - and Gordon calls for the tee.
Australia 7-5 New Zealand, 11 minutes
Outstanding defence from Marika Koroibete! That is a superb bit of individual work from the Wallabies wing, first retrieving his axe to chop down Mark Telea in full flow and then gathering the timber, showing just enough of a release to satisfy referee Wayne Barnes before locking on over the top. Turnover penalty to Australia.
Australia 7-5 New Zealand, 10 minutes
Pilfered by Will Skelton! The massive lock lurks at the edge of a ruck and waits for the ball to be exposed, getting his huge mitts on it as Aaron Smith tries to pick-up and wrenching it free of the scrum-half’s grasp. Australia clear up to about 25 metres out.
Australia 7-5 New Zealand, 9 minutes
A perfect response from the home side to the early concession of that score. But the All Blacks look up for this, a nifty bit of work at the tail putting Will Jordan into a hole adjacent to the back of the lineout to take New Zealand back into advanced territory.
TRY! AUSTRALIA 7-5 New Zealand (Rob Valetini try, 8 minutes)
That one’s a good’un! Valetini is permitted a place having been halted a foot or so short, and there’s indisputable evidence that the Wallabies number eight has got there. Carter Gordon’s extras take Australia in front.
Try?
In touch! A brilliant cover tackle from Rieko Ioane and Koroibete’s elbow is in touch a half-second before he grounds in the corner.
Hang on - TMO Tom Foley wants to check a potential grounding earlier in the movement, Rob Valetini very, very close under the posts...
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