Key events
Match report
New Zealand retain the Bledisloe Cup
Full-time: New Zealand 50-19 Australia
CONVERTED TRY! New Zealand 50-19 Australia (Jordan, 80)
TRY! New Zealand 43-19 Australia (Nasser, 77)
TRY! New Zealand 43-14 Australia (Moorby, 74)
CONVERTED TRY! New Zealand 38-14 Australia (Carter, 67)
CONVERTED TRY! New Zealand 31-14 Australia (Taylor, 54)
CONVERTED TRY! New Zealand 24-14 Australia (Roigard, 49)
Half-time: New Zealand 17-14 Australia
CONVERTED TRY! New Zealand 17-14 Australia (Wilson, 38)
PENALTY! New Zealand 17-7 Australia (McKenzie, 34)
MISSED PENALTY!
CONVERTED TRY! New Zealand 14-7 Australia (Vaa’i, 16)
CONVERTED TRY! New Zealand 7-7 Australia (Lakai, 12)
CONVERTED TRY! New Zealand 0-7 Australia (Wright, 8)
Kick-off!
Australia XV
New Zealand XV
Preamble
Match report
Jonathan Howcroft
Thank you for joining me this evening for our journey through sporting cliche from ‘whisper it quietly’ to ‘reality check’. I’ll hopefully see you back here around this time next Saturday for Bledisloe II live from Sydney.
Until then, I’ll leave you with Jack Snape’s match report from fortress Eden Park.
“We came in with real belief, we came in on a good trajectory,” says Wallaby skipper Harry Wilson. “We didn’t win the big moments… when you give the All Blacks ball it’s hard to get it back.”
New Zealand retain the Bledisloe Cup
The All Blacks, one-up in the two Test series, hoist the massive Bledisloe Cup aloft in front of the Eden Park faithful and retain possession of the trans-Tasman trophy for a 24th consecutive year.
Compared to many previous Australian defeats I wouldn’t suggest the post mortem requires a complete dissection of the squad and the gameplan – simply because the All Blacks were so good in that second half. The relationship between the halves, Roigard and McKenzie, the cleanliness of the pack, and the instinct of the outside backs made for some irresistible footy with ball in hand.
Roigard was my player of the match, Jordie Barrett was outstanding, and Will Jordan remains a match-winner.
Very specifically the high ball was critical. Against the Springboks it was a weapon for the Wallabies but in Auckland they could never get to grips with Roigard’s box kicking and the power of the All Blacks kick-chasers. “They were probably a little hungrier at the crumbs,” admits Tom Wright. Before dropping in plenty of AFL terminology with ‘hard-ball gets’ and whatnot.
“When I started watching the game, just into the second half, there was a brief window of optimism for the Wallabies,” emails Phil Withall. “In the following 30 minutes, a disallowed New Zealand try is the only positive. Tough night.”
Indeed, Phil. A bit of a reality check for the Wallabies in the second half, and a demonstration that that they really need to be at the top of their game to compete with the very best opposition. The drop-off after half-time, especially in defence, will need work before the World Cup.
Full-time: New Zealand 50-19 Australia
The first half was even, the second wasn’t. The All Blacks extend their unbeaten run at Eden Park to 54 consecutive Tests.
CONVERTED TRY! New Zealand 50-19 Australia (Jordan, 80)
What a way to end this Test match. After three minutes either side of the scrum and umpteen phases, Australia cough up possession on their 22 (Meredith at fault), Jordan pounces on the loose ball, kicks ahead, and wins the race ahead of McDermott to seal victory. The conversion confirms a 50 point haul and the Eden Park hoodoo continues.
80 mins: Play resumes with a scrum, after which McDermott, then Wright continue their fruitless task on the DMZ 22.
79 mins: Australia spend ten phases trying to the run ball outside their 22 but for little reward. Then play is halted for a nasty clash of heads between Aumua and Segner.
TRY! New Zealand 43-19 Australia (Nasser, 77)
The lineout is textbook, the maul is muscular, and the Wallabies earn a late consolation pushover try!
Meredith curls a gettable conversion wide.
75 mins: Australia continue to attack at all opportunities, but with replacements on the field and the scoreline gurning at them there is little cohesion. An offside penalty helps and the ball is kicked deep to the right corner.
TRY! New Zealand 43-14 Australia (Moorby, 74)
The lineout is secure, the maul forms, it comes off the back down the blindside where Aumua and Preston dovetail beautifully to allow Moorby to flop over in the left corner.
McKenzie finally misses from the touchline.
73 mins: Australia earn a scrum free-kick but as they try to run the ball out of their own red zone they’re monstered on the ground by Tupaea, the ball doesn’t come free and the All Blacks kick to the left corner.
72 mins: New Zealand get a maul rolling on the left that Australia repel in the first instance. The All Blacks don’t mind, their big men get to work, munching ruck after ruck infield, keeping the Australian defence shifting ledtwards until Tosi straightens up and burrows his way over. But the try won’t stand. The TMO has identified a knock-on from Preston during one of those speedy forward-led phases. It was a tight one behind the breakdown, but it was a correct call.
70 mins: New Zealand are straight back on the attack and Suaalii is penalised for a no-arms tackle. According to the referee, that’s his second of the night. He offered the TMO the opportunity to review a stricter punishment.
Incidentally, the referee has been superb tonight, with clear communication and the establishment of discipline from both teams.
68 mins: That was a painful score from the All Black winger. In the act of dragging Valetini in his slipstream the Australian clung on, performing a sort-of hip-drop tackle, which put enormous strain on the New Zealander’s ankles as they buckled beneath him. The try-scorer is helped off the field and will sit out the final 11 minutes. Hopefully it’s nothing serious.
CONVERTED TRY! New Zealand 38-14 Australia (Carter, 67)
Australia clear their lines but New Zealand are back in a flash. From a breakdown 30m on the left edge New Zealand get some go-forward, Roigard shows his brilliance, slipping a cheeky inside ball to Lakai who barges into space. Carter is on hand for the offload and he muscles his way over the line, taking Rob Valetini along for the ride, before touching down.
McKenzie continues his perfect night with his boot.
65 mins: Yet another high ball makes a mess of Australia’s defence. This time Vaa’i hurtles through to take the mark and set up an attacking platform. A kick for territory forces Australia on the back foot and that frenetic tendency rears its ugly head twice with Wright kicking crossfield – but backwards – along his 22, then Potter offloading with little care or attention after contact.
63 mins: It’s all getting a little frantic from the Wallabies. They execute the lineout then come back to the short side, but there isn’t enough room and neither Wright not Henry are prepared to accept contact and set up repeat possession, sending the ball bobbling out of play.
62 mins: A rare long kicking exchange ends with Australia running into contact on halfway, recycling through Wilson and Shaw, but under pressure Wright is forced to kick for distance – and he overcooks it, out on the full in New Zealand’s half. Wright is adamant it was touched off the boot – which it was – by the onrushing Lakai. So after fearing the worst the Wallabies have an attacking platform.
61 mins: Now Australia steal a lineout! Again they try to run out of defence but Suaalii is hauled down and Lonergan has to box kick. New Zealand go to the sky in return so Donaldson tries a trick play, kicking crossfield flat to Wilson, but the skipper is nailed on the touchline.
60 mins: Australia’s scrum holds and they run out of defence down the left but it’s telegraphed and Potter cuts infield at a poor angle and he’s unable to roll away after being scythed down. New Zealand resume their onslaught.
59 mins: And that task gets worse as the All Blacks steal the lineout. Can New Zealand squeeze their way over again? No! The tackle machine Wilson takes Tupaea man and ball, winning a much needed penalty and a breather as the replacement benches empty on the hour mark.
58 mins: The All Blacks are purring. The forwards are hitting the line at speed, drawing in bodies, and the backs are crisp through hands always looking for the attacking option. A grubber down the left edge sends New Zealand inside Australia’s 22. The Wallabies have an uphill task getting back into this contest.
56 mins: The All Blacks won’t mind the rain that’s started to fall on Eden Park as yet another Roigard box kick forces the Wallabies into a tight spot. The No 9 has excelled tonight.
CONVERTED TRY! New Zealand 31-14 Australia (Taylor, 54)
There’s a free-kick against the Wallabies at the lineout so the All Blacks rush into the 22. Both Barrett backs are busy on the left edge, before Vaa’i gets to work. Play shifts back to the right inside 10m as the black surge comes in numbers. Australia are committed to defence, coming up at pace, but runner after runner hits and crosses the gainline. Phase after phase of quick recycled possession. So many runners showing, options everywhere, and it is inevitable when Taylor army scuttles over the line. Straightforward and unstoppable from the hosts.
McKenzie dabs over two more easy points and the gap now looks a comfortable one for New Zealand.
53 mins: The scrum has been even and steady all night and the latest feed sees Australia recycle and kick 40m clear.
52 mins: Another box kick causes havoc in the Australia defence. Carter prospers and Roigard gets to work over halfway, inviting Vaa’i into contact twice. Then McKenzie gets to work, sending Taylor through a gap – but he loses possession on the ground and Australia get a breather.
CONVERTED TRY! New Zealand 24-14 Australia (Roigard, 49)
New Zealand will not be denied for long! The 10m lineout is controlled by Taylor at the front. The Wallabies stand it up but the covering defence isn’t alert to the sniping Roigard who caps his superb night with a poacher’s try.
McKenzie makes it four from four off the tee.
48 mins: The ball is quickly off the lineout so the All Blacks shift from left to right with Tupaea the target. Play returns infield with Roigard and McKenzie working through the phases, looking for the marginal gains. Jordan joins his pack in grinding towards the 22, then Carter tries to find a gap in open play. By phase 13 the ball is a blur, liquid phase footy from New Zealand, patient and crisp, and space opens up on the left edge with Jordan joining the attack and jinking through the line. Is there a support runner? Yes, but Lonergan works tirelessly to get his body in between Jordan and Sititi and scramble clear. Brilliant attacking and defensive rugby.
47 mins: Roigard box kicks to halfway, Donaldson is a sitting duck underneath it, and he is absolutely munched by J Barrett steaming through. The ball doesn’t come out and New Zealand win the penalty and kick into attacking territory for the first time this half.
45 mins: The visiting lineout holds and Valetini smashes his way through the line! The big flanker streaks out of defence, play is recycled on halfway and Donaldson kicks cannily towards the right corner where B Barrett is forced to run into touch close to his own line. Huge opportunity for Australia – but there’s a penalty against gold as the maul forms after the lineout. Massive dissapointment for the Wallabies.
44 mins: Ikitau has failed his HIA so when Donaldson kicks to the left it’s Potter that attempts to spoil in the air. He fails, so B Barrett can toe ahead down the line and send his team near Australia’s 22.
42 mins: New Zealand kick downfield and attack off the lineout but run out of room as they spin the ball from right to left. The commitment to running rugby from both teams continues.
41 mins: Australia get on the front foot early with Wright and Jorgensen dovetailing superbly down the right from the restart. New Zealand regroup, win a breakdown penalty, then Williams is marched 10m for backchat.
Half-time: New Zealand 17-14 Australia
An entertaining, even half of rugby ends with the All Blacks with their noses just in front at Eden Park.
CONVERTED TRY! New Zealand 17-14 Australia (Wilson, 38)
Australia attack off the lineout on the left. Suaalii bobbles in contact but holds on. Inside, Wilson sends a wonderful short pass behind to Donaldson who nips through a keyhole and into space – and it’s Wilson following up to accept the return pass and dive under the posts! The Wallabies hit back!
Lonergan only just kicks the very easiest of conversions. Does he have the yips?
36 mins: Australia’s lineout is crisp and Valetini gets to work in midfield. The second phase is slower and Donaldson gets caught in no-man’s land but wins a penalty for his troubles on the ground. Edging over halfway the Wallabies engage in the grind but Henry can’t find the rushing Suaalii and play is recalled to the earlier infringement.
35 mins: Donaldson’s restart is too long for the chasing gold jerseys so the All Blacks have time to steady themselves and invite Roigard to punt fully 50m downfield and into touch.
PENALTY! New Zealand 17-7 Australia (McKenzie, 34)
McKenzie does not repeat Lonergan’s mistake and kicks his side 10 points clear.
32 mins: Australia feed a scrum 15m from their own line on the right. It holds firm. Lonergan belts 30m downfield. The All Blacks attack off the resulting lineout and there’s a near immediate penalty advantage for offside. The pattern of ball runners approaching the line then slipping short inside passes continues as the 22 comes and goes. Roigard is the conductor, feeding forwards over the gainline, but as momentum stalls the earlier penalty is blown.
31 mins: The lineout is crisp but the handling thereafter leaves a lot to be desired. Taylor almost knocks on in contact, then Jordan does, with gold jerseys rushing up into his field of vision. The New Zealand set-piece has not fired at all so far.
30 mins: As the All Blacks kick to the right corner, Harry Potter comes on for Len Ikitau who leaves for an HIA.
29 mins: New Zealand set up a maul just inside Australia’s half then attack in a deep line from left to right. Jordie Barrett looks isolated but keeps the ball alive. Taylor draws bodies into contact as the All Blacks rumble towards the 22. There’s a penalty on the play as Jordan snipes down the left edge. The momentum feels irresistible but there’s some mishandling on the ground and play is recalled to the earlier penalty.
27 mins: New Zealand’s commitment to running the ball out of defence almost comes a cropper and again they rely on Roigard’s boot to send them downfield. For the third time tonight the ball is tapped back his side’s way with the Australian defence helpless under the contested mark. Roigard marshals a patient drive in the corridor until McKenzie dabs a kick to the left corner that’s mopped up by Donaldson and belted clear by Wright. The All Blacks may regret not keeping that alive against a scrambling visiting defence.
MISSED PENALTY!
From under the crossbar Lonergan misses the simplest of penalties. Gosh, that was a kicker’s worst nightmare.
