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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Your support makes all the difference.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:
All Blacks survive thrilling Wallabies comeback to cling on to Bledisloe Cup
New Zealand scored four tries in the first 25 minutes and held off a late Australian fightback with 13 men to beat the Wallabies 31-28 in a Rugby Championship thriller at Stadium Australia.
The All Blacks were held to one penalty in the second half and lost two players to yellow cards, but their early lead proved enough to earn an eighth straight win over their neighbours and ensure they would retain the Bledisloe Cup for another year.
The Wallabies will take heart from their second half fightback, especially after the record 67-27 loss to Argentina two weeks ago.
All Blacks survive thrilling Wallabies comeback to cling on to Bledisloe Cup
Australia 28-31 New Zealand: A fast start allowed the visitors to prevail in Sydney despite another second-half collapse
James Slipper presented with commemorative cap
A lovely presentation is made to James Slipper, with George Gregan handing over a special cap to mark Slipper’s surpassing of his Wallabies cap record. The All Blacks form a tunnel to applaud the veteran prop after international appearance 140 - a remarkable number for a true warrior of the sport.
Scott Barrett speaks after securing the retention of the Bledisloe Cup
“Probably a bit relieved, to be honest,” the All Blacks skipper says. “In the last 15, we found ourselves in a bit of a hole, but we held on with a bit of scramble defence.
“That’s the nature of the Aussies. They don’t lie down, and they proved that. I’m pleased that the boys could hang on. I’m hugely proud, we were a bit wounded coming back from South Africa and our confidence was a bit low. But we showed tonight, at the start, what we are capable of.
“We front up each day and train pretty hard. We’re still not polished by any means.”
Wallabies full-back Tom Wright speaks to the host broadcaster
“That sort of fight has been in our game throughout all eight Test matches this year. We are just not consistent enough, unfortunately. We gave ourselves opportunities in the first half but we gifted too many to them, and they’ll hurt you if you aren’t good enough.
“We wanted to put on a performance that our fans could be proud of. The fans were a big reason why we were able to bounce back after half-time.”
FT: Australia 28-31 New Zealand
A few relieved sighs from those in the All Blacks ranks - so near, so far for Australia, but that was a second half performance to re-instil belief both within the squad and into the Wallabies fans.
Australia 28-31 New Zealand, 80 minutes
This has been remarkable from Australia. New Zealand still have just that Damian McKenzie penalty to show for their second half efforts.
But that may be that! Hunter Paisami is held up by Ardie Savea and TJ Perenara for long enough that referee Karl Dickson calls mauol, and there’s no extricating the ball from the massed bodies.
Survive a scrum, and the All Blacks will have clung on...
TRY! AUSTRALIA 28-31 New Zealand (Tom Wright, 79 minutes)
Tom Wright escapes Damian McKenzie’s clutches and the comeback is on!
Noah Lolesio converts to close the gap to three points. What drama in Sydney!
Australia 21-31 New Zealand, 78 minutes
Dylan Pietsch is freed on the left and puches to within a metre. Advantage coming...but the Wallabies won’t need it!
Australia 21-31 New Zealand, 77 minutes
A first All Blacks cap for Harry Plummer, called in today after Beauden Barrett’s injury. The versatile Blue has gone in to fly half with Damian McKenzie moving to full-back and Will Jordan out to the wing. Anton Lienert-Brown is back on in the centres.
The Wallabies will have a scrum on the edge of New Zealand’s 22 as they force a maul unplayable. Three minutes to find two scores.
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