Australia v New Zealand LIVE: Latest score and updates as All Blacks start fast in Rugby Championship clash
Both the Wallabies and All Blacks are in need of a win as they meet in Sydney
Your support helps us to tell the story
My recent work focusing on Latino voters in Arizona has shown me how crucial independent journalism is in giving voice to underrepresented communities.
Your support is what allows us to tell these stories, bringing attention to the issues that are often overlooked. Without your contributions, these voices might not be heard.
Every dollar you give helps us continue to shine a light on these critical issues in the run up to the election and beyond
Eric Garcia
Washington Bureau Chief
Australia and New Zealand will look to salvage difficult Rugby Championship campaigns as they meet in the first of back-to-back Bledisloe Cup clashes.
Joe Schmidt’s hosts are reeling after a record defeat in Argentina that raised yet more tough questions over the state of the Wallabies. While boosted by the return of a couple of key figures from injury, a tournament wooden spoon will beckon if the home side are beaten today ahead of a trip to Wellington next week.
The All Blacks, meanwhile, were again narrowly squeezed out by the Springboks in their last outing, continuing a run of defeats to South Africa that includes last year’s World Cup final. Scott Robertson’s side are out of the chase for a title they have won in seven of the last eight years, and will now focus on holding on to a Bledisloe Cup that has been in their possession since 2003.
Follow all the latest from Sydney in our live blog below:
TRY! Australia 7-28 NEW ZEALAND (Ardie Savea, 25 minutes)
Australia are the architects of their own downfall!
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.
Australia 0-14 New Zealand, 14 minutes
Sevu Reece is twice denied a run to the line up the right, first by a leaping Tom Wright’s intelligent (and important) interception, and then by a forward pass from a tumbling Ardie Savea. The Wallabies feel like they are having to hang on here.
Australia 0-14 New Zealand, 12 minutes
Caleb Clarke didn’t perhaps kick on in the way that it looked like he might during the last World Cup cycle but, injury aside, the Blues wing is having an excellent summer. He’s timing his injections much better and beginning to impress as a linking distributor, too.
TRY! Australia 0-14 NEW ZEALAND (Rieko Ioane, 10 minutes)
Too much pace, too much power!
A second score from the All Blacks and it’s another cracker. Caleb Clarke sparks it with a dart up the middle, the wing shedding a tackler and offloading to Wallace Sititi. Cortez Ratima weaves between reeling Wallabies and has his pick of a three-man overlap - Rieko Ioane is his chosen recipient, and the centre scores Test try number 37 untouched.
Australia 0-7 New Zealand, 9 minutes
Boom! Harry Wilson absolutely thunders through Will Jordan on kick chase, rocking the full-back with a picture perfect tackle.
But there’s space appearing for the visitors thereafter...
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments