Australia chased New Zealand to the ultimate whistle however the All Blacks held on for a bonus-point victory to retain the Bledisloe Cup in Sydney on Saturday.
The Kiwis snapped a two-game dropping streak with a nail-biting 31-28 win over Australia at Sydney Olympic Stadium, holding off a second-half cost from the hosts.
Each groups scored 4 tries apiece on a heat Sydney afternoon as Scott Robertson’s males bounced again from consecutive Rugby Championship defeats in opposition to the world champion Springboks within the Republic.
New Zealand took a commanding 28-14 lead into the break on Saturday and, regardless of Australia storming again into rivalry, held on to retain a trophy they’ve owned since 2003, dominating possession, set performs and the breakdown.
The writing was on the wall with the Kiwis profitable their previous seven Assessments in opposition to their previous foes, heaping extra stress on Australia coach Joe Schmidt, whose aspect have been humiliated 67-27 in Argentina a fortnight in the past.
Regardless of the fightback, it proved a disappointing means for prop James Slipper to have fun changing into essentially the most capped Wallaby along with his one hundred and fortieth look, surpassing George Gregan.
The victory elevated New Zealand above Los Pumas into second on the Rugby Championship ladder, with one sport left in opposition to Australia, who prop up the desk, in Wellington subsequent week. Argentina host the table-topping Springboks afterward Saturday.
Whuuu! That’s a Bledisloe Cup strive 🔥#AllBlacks #BledisloeCup pic.twitter.com/wF02oyTDoR
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) September 21, 2024
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The dummy and go ⚡️#Wallabies #BledisloeCup pic.twitter.com/2y5V7fqk5R
— Wallabies (@wallabies) September 21, 2024
New Zealand coach Scott Robertson made a handful of adjustments after their nerve-racking 18-12 loss in Cape City a fortnight in the past, however in a blow veteran Beauden Barrett was dominated out with sickness an hour earlier than kick-off. It meant Will Jordan moved to fullback and Sevu Reece got here in on the wing.
Australia additionally switched issues up, with Nic White and Noah Lolesio thrust in because the halves pairing, whereas centre Hunter Paisami and fullback Tom Wright returned from damage.
But it surely made little distinction with the hosts uncovered inside two minutes when Jordan sliced open the defence to dot down between the posts, with Damian McKenzie including the extras.
The All Blacks saved their foot to the ground and raced 14-0 clear after 9 minutes with centre Reiko Ioane accumulating their second strive in a transfer stemming from a break by Caleb Clarke. Australia have been bereft of concepts and Clarke powered over within the nook for the guests’ third.
New Zealand momentarily went to sleep and White exploded right into a gap earlier than offloading for Fraser McReight to dive over and eventually give the 68,061-strong crowd one thing to cheer about.
But it surely was a brief blip with All Blacks No 8 Ardie Savea sprinting over for an additional strive within the twenty fourth minute after a sloppy Australian spoon move was picked up by Reece, who drew the defender to depart his teammate in acres of area. With McKenzie nailing a fourth straight conversion, they moved into an ominous 28-7 lead.
The Wallabies, although, saved plugging away and have been rewarded when hooker Matt Faessler charged over after some good work within the maul forward of the half-time hooter to present them a glimmer of hope.
An early second-half penalty stretched New Zealand’s lead, but it surely was a a lot better Australia that fronted up.
New Zealand had a strive disallowed for a ahead move and Australia capitalised with a strive of their very own by means of Paisami after a break from Lukhan Salakaia-Loto to slender the hole to 10 factors with quarter-hour left.
It lit a fuse underneath the hosts, who scored one other strive by means of Tom Wright with a minute left to arrange a fiery end, just for the All Blacks to cling on for victory.
© Agence France-Presse
Photograph: @AllBlacks/Twittter
