Australia v New Zealand LIVE: Result and reaction as All Blacks survive thrilling Wallabies comeback
The Wallabies threatened to pull off a remarkable turnaround but fell just short
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New Zealand survived a thrilling Australia comeback to cling on to a narrow victory in Sydney and continue their stronghold over the Bledisloe Cup.
With both sides looking to salvage difficult Rugby Championship campaigns, the All Blacks started fast and surged into a 21-0 lead as they ran rampant in the first 15 minutes. A further try from Ardie Savea before half-time suggested that Scott Robertson’s visitors would pull clear in the second half to incflict more punishment on a wounded Wallabies side still searching for direction.
But the hosts swelled in the second half, with their bench making a significant impact to swing momentum their way. Keeping the All Blacks to just a single Damian McKenzie penalty after the interval, late tries from Hunter Paisami and Tom Wright moved Australia to within a score as they threatened to produce a remarkable, unexpected fightback.
Yet despite New Zealand losing two backs to the sin bin, there was always just slightly too much for Joe Schmidt’s side to do after their sluggish start. With a second and final Bledisloe Cup meeting of the year to come in Wellington next week, the All Blacks have retained the trans-Tasman prize, as they have done each year since 2003.
Re-live all the action from Sydney in our live blog below:
Australia 7-28 New Zealand, 33 minutes
Tom Wright gets a chance to stretch his legs in the open field, spotting a poorly-formed All Blacks chase. He’s lacking in a teammate to take a pass taht would have allowed the counter-attack to continue, but a lazy New Zealand tackler concedes a penalty for failing to roll away. Australia kick down into the 22.
Australia 7-28 New Zealand, 30 minutes
Australia’s attempt to make inroads ends when Codie Taylor strips Rob Valetini, though the Wallabies regather to force Rieko Ioane into touch.
But that’s another silly, sloppy set-piece error. Matt Faessler’s throw has been under pressure so the call is to the front, but the toss to the arriving Angus Bell does not travel the required five metres.
Australia 7-28 New Zealand, 29 minutes
Tupou makes amends with a vital jackal penalty just as the All Blacks build momentum again.
Australia 7-28 New Zealand, 27 minutes
That Fraser McReight try aside, Australia have got very little right. Taniela Tupou is deemed the cause of a collapse at scrum time to grant New Zealand another advancement into deep Wallaby territory.
TRY! Australia 7-28 NEW ZEALAND (Ardie Savea, 25 minutes)
Australia are the architects of their own downfall!
A perfect illustration of this encounter so far. Australia play out the back thrice just inside their own half but the accuracy is poor, and Hunter Paisami’s pat-on hits the deck. Sevu Reece comes through to collect and has the composure to wait for support, which arrives in the frightening form of Ardie Savea. Try number four arrives inside half-an-hour.
Australia 7-21 New Zealand, 24 minutes
A 50:22 from flanker Fraser McReight! The Wallabies turn the ball over on the deck - Taniela Tupou’s jackalling excellent - and McReight goes old school centre half, “’ave it!” as he gets rid. A friendly bounce off the surface skews his kick out of play isnide the All Blacks 22, a huge territorial gain for Australia.
But New Zealand pinch another lineout!
Australia 7-21 New Zealand, 22 minutes
One pass too many! Cortez Ratima snipes to within five metres and flicks to Scott Barrett, who could have biffed closer to the line but instead tries to pass blindly to Will Jordan. Alas, there is an Australian defender in the way, who can’t quite believe his luck as Barrett’s pass lands in his lap.
Australia 7-21 New Zealand, 21 minutes
The worry for Australia will be that New Zealand look likely to score each time they touch it. Only a crocodile roll from Rieko Ioane, righty penalised, prevents them from charging again into deep Wallabies territory.
Tupou Vaa’i then steals a lineout on halfway. Back the visitors come on the hunt for a fourth score.
TRY! AUSTRALIA 7-21 New Zealand (Fraser McReight, 18 minutes)
How Australia needed that!
First chance, first try for the Wallabies, and it is wonderfully worked. Having identified that New Zealand leave the space at the tail of the lineout vacant, a long throw from Matt Faessler finds a fading Rob Valetini, who pops into that gap for Nic White. Fraser McReight goes with his scrum half and is on hand to finish the job.
TRY! Australia 0-21 NEW ZEALAND (Caleb Clarke, 16 minutes)
And there is that third try!
Oh, Australia. Having initially repelled the All Blacks, Harry Wilson chucks a pass in the vague direction of Rob Valetini that Caleb Clarke pinches all too easily. New Zealand build pressure, Will Jordan again threatening as he roams with menacing intent, and there’s room for Clarke to gallop into down the left.
There’s still a fair bit to do for the wing, but a step off his left and burly bash into a couple of Australian bodies takes him to within reaching distance of the line.
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