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
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
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 7-19 New Zealand, 53 minutes
So three opportunities from five out in that corner come and go for Australia, which feels like it might be fatal for their chances of a comeback. New Zealand haven’t yet exited their half since the resumption, but are clinging on defensively.
Tanielu Tupou isn’t right at all. The prop stands in at scrum-half with Nic White tied up elsewhere but clutches at his ribcage as he attempts to flick a pass away. Australia look likely to lose a second tighthead - James Slipper can, in theory, cover on the right of the scrum if required.
Angus Bell is braced and ready to return, but Tupou has at least one more shoving session lest him, bravely packing down as White prepares to feed a scrum.
Australia 7-19 New Zealand, 51 minutes
New Zealand hold firm once more! Changes for both teams, Quade Cooper and Nic White on in the halves for Australia and Brodie Retallick and Ofa Tu’ungafasi lending their weight up front for New Zealand - those two new forwards are right at the heart of things as another Wallabies maul collapses under its own mass, Dalton Papali’i this time the man to wriggle his way up onto the ball.
Australia 7-19 New Zealand, 50 minutes
Taniela Tupou stayed down after making the carry before Uelese in that passage, but the prop will soldier on with a limp and a grimace.
The All Blacks miss touch with the penalty, granting Australia another attacking opportunity. They go back to that left corner after Wayne Barnes’s arm points their way again.
Australia 7-19 New Zealand, 48 minutes
A vital turnover from Ardie Savea! He’s just so, so strong over the ball, the All Blacks captain, Australia tapping the penalty quickly to try and crash and bash their way through. But New Zealand halt Jordan Uelese shy of their line and Savea’s jackal is perfect. Penalty to the visitors.
Australia 7-19 New Zealand, 48 minutes
Held up! Lovely variation from the Wallabies, feigning a maul and then tossing off the top as Rob Leota and Rob Valetini thunder around the corner with ominous intent. Then Australia play blind, Samu Kerevi’s snaking hips putting Scott Barrett in trouble...but the lock does ever so well to keep Kerevi from grounding.
Back for a penalty, though.
Australia 7-19 New Zealand, 46 minutes
New Zealand are battling to get out of their own end, though, Australia keeping the heavy artillery coming. Taniel Tupou fumbles but his spill is ruled backwards by the officials, and New Zealand soon offend again, diving on a loose ball not yet far enough away from a ruck.
Four changes for Australia as Eddie Jones freshens up his pack - Jordan Uelese will throw to a lineout that now includes James Slipper, Richie Arnold and Rob Leota.
Australia 7-19 New Zealand, 44 minutes
What maul defence! The value of Jason Ryan’s appointment as forwards coach continues to show for New Zealand, his Crusaders having been regarded as the most effective side in the world at neutering the lineout drive before Ryan was added to the All Blacks staff. Scott Barrett is the chief dismantler, fighting through to lock himself around the ball and win the turnover.
Australia 7-19 New Zealand, 43 minutes
A bright start to the second half from Australia, using their bulky ball carriers up front to make a few dents. Rieko Ioane is penalised for offside; the Wallabies prod into the left corner.
Australia 7-19 New Zealand, 41 minutes
Will Skelton’s python-like limbs suffocate an All Black carrier, the hulking lock prising the ball out of New Zealand hands. Richie Mo’unga covers the backfield excellently, though, scurrying into the corner to collect a grubber and then extricating himself with a shimmy, allowing his side to clear.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments