New Zealand v Australia LIVE: Latest score and updates from Rugby Championship clash in Wellington
The two sides meet in the reverse of last week’s thriller in Sydney, with only pride to play for in Wellington in the sides’ last match of the Championship
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
New Zealand face Australia in Wellington on Saturday morning in the final match of both sides’ 2024 Rugby Championship campaign, with kick-off at 8.05am BST.
The All Blacks fought off a late Australian comeback in Sydney last week after being reduced to 13 men, with early tries from Will Jordan, Rieko Ioane and Caleb Clarke enough to help seal a 31-28 win. It means that New Zealand have retained the Bledisloe Cup once more, with the Wallabies travelling across the Tasman looking to immediately avenge that defeat.
Both sides are simply playing for pride this weekend as they sit third and fourth respectively in the Rugby Championship table, with both unable to win the tournament. But a fierce rugby rivalry is unlikely to be dimmed by those circumstances as each eyes a strong finish to a mixed campaign.
Follow all the action from the Rugby Championship clash in our live blog below:
New Zealand 0-7 Australia, 11 minutes
All the while, Taniela Tupou has somehow managed to lumber on, the tighthead again performing his duties admirably at the first New Zealand scrum. Will Jordan’s kick travels out of play before wing Caleb Clarke can reel it in.
And the All Blacks are on the wrong side of the officials in these early skirmishes. Sam Cane is slightly harshly penalised having appeared to have got his jackal spot on, grating the Wallabies another chance to enter New Zealand territory.
New Zealand 0-7 Australia, 9 minutes
Nearly something sensational! Boy, are Australia up for it or what? Insipid in the first quarter a week ago, they are running everything here, going from inside their own 22 and cutting New Zealand open. Only an errant, forward pass from Noah Lolesio prevents a promising attack from continuing from coast to coast.
TRY! New Zealand 0-7 AUSTRALIA (Fraser McReight, 8 minutes)
And there it is! Fraser McReight finds a sliver of space to lunge to the line!
The pressure had built and built but it took the clever openside to find the score. McReight had looked a little upright in the carry but he used his deceptive strength to shake his limbs free, enabling him to find a gap between All Black limbs to touch down. Noah Lolesio converts impressively from the left - what a start from the Wallabies!
New Zealand 0-0 Australia, 7 minutes
A strong one-on-one tackle from Caleb Clarke and back to the penalty again they come. This time, Australia tap and go quickly as they seek to convert their early dominance into a try.
New Zealand 0-0 Australia, 6 minutes
Matt Faessler hits the mark and into the drive Australia launch. It runs aground, but a darting Faessler keeps the move alive. Another penalty advantage is coming.
New Zealand 0-0 Australia, 5 minutes
Ardie Savea stalls some momentum with a Herculean heave of a carrier back towards the 22-metre line, and Nika Amashukeli brings the players back for the penalty. Corner or posts? The Wallabies opt for the aggressive choice, turning down points and kicking for a five-metre lineout.
New Zealand 0-0 Australia, 4 minutes
This is a good start from Australia. Large lock Jeremy Williams spins out of a tackle before Rob Valetini and Dylan Pietsch show well in the carry. Penalty advantage is coming as Taniela Tupou lumps to within six metres of the New Zealand line.
New Zealand 0-0 Australia, 3 minutes
The first attempt to set the scrum goes down immediately, Tupou kicking his leg to try and get the movement back. Referee Nika Amashukeli swaps over to his side, suspecting that it may be where the problem comes as they engage again.
Tupou is steady and off Australia go! A canny switch-back play to the blindside sends Andrew Kellaway sprinting into space, and have they managed to score? No, knocked on! Kellaway’s toe ahead was fumbled back by a sliding Beauden Barrett but Jake Gordon couldn’t gather clenaly with the line at his mercy!
New Zealand 0-0 Australia, 2 minutes
Tupou tests the flexion in the joint, strugging to bear his (quite considerable) weight. But he’s going to try to soldier on - out comes the strapping to try and help him continue.
It will be a scrum to restart, which will test just how ready that knee is.
New Zealand 0-0 Australia, 1 minute
A competent first take in the air from Tom Wright as TJ Perenara tests the Australia backfield with a high box kick. The Wallabies look to play on halfway, Rob Valetini coralled by Sam Cane...oh no! Taniela Tupou is down and in severe discomfort inside a minute!
The Australia prop looks to have done his knee. On rush a couple of medics.
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