New Zealand vs Australia LIVE: Rugby Championship result as All Blacks notch big win at Eden Park
New Zealand 40-14 Australia: All Blacks move a step closer to the title with a thrashing of the Wallabies
The All Blacks put one hand on the Rugby Championship trophy with a convincing 40-14 bonus victory over an error-prone and ill-disciplined Wallabies side at Auckland’s Eden Park on Saturday.
The victory means the Springboks will also need to secure a bonus point and beat Argentina by at least 39 points in the final match of the championship in Durban later on Saturday to take the title back to South Africa.
New Zealand hammered the Australians at the breakdown and a Will Jordan score supplemented by a penalty try helped them to a comfortable 17-0 lead after a fractious first half which saw two Wallabies sent to the sin bin.
All Blacks skipper Sam Whitelock crossed for a third try soon after the break and hooker Codie Taylor and his replacement Samisoni Taukei’aho added further five-pointers to give the Springboks an imposing target.
Relive the action from the crunch Rugby Championship clash in Auckland below:
TRY! New Zealand 24-0 Australia
43 mins - This is a bizarre one. Sam Whitelock burrows over the line from close range. There’s a defender underneath him holding him up but it looks like he’s managed to reach back with the ball in one of his big hands and dot down behind him for a remarkable try. It appears that the ball is lost but on closer look, he seems to always have control of it in one hand.
Long TMO review and, importantly, the on-field decision was try. It does indeed stay a try. Remarkable! Brilliant by Whitelock to keep control of that! Mo’unga’s conversion and this has got away from the Wallabies.
New Zealand 17-0 Australia
42 mins - Early pressure is all New Zealand as they win a scrum and set a platform in the Australia 22. Through the phases and they’re only a few metres away now
KICK-OFF! New Zealand 17-0 Australia
41 mins - Back underway in the second half
HALF-TIME! New Zealand 17-0 Australia
40 mins - All Blacks try a kick over the top but collected by the Wallabies and that’s half-time.
A good half for New Zealand who are in control here thanks to a Will Jordan score and a penalty try.
New Zealand 17-0 Australia
39 mins - Good hands by Caleb Clarke to collect the ball as the All Blacks press. Great interception by Foley on the right flank though and he makes some ground before trying to kick ahead.
All Blacks scramble back, and find turf with the return kick. Kellaway then kicks to touch to end the mania. One more chance for the All Blacks before HT.
New Zealand 17-0 Australia
37 mins - Nice run by Codie Taylor after collecting a loose ball, moves the All Blacks into the Aussie half. Good carry by Jordan who skins a couple of defenders and he offloads to Aaron Smith who is tackled from behind but the Wallabies scrambling here.
Great rucking by Pete Samu in his own 22! He gets over the top and gets his hands on the ball to win a penalty. Australia survive for now.
Porecki about to re-enter the fray and make it 15 vs 15 just before half-time.
New Zealand 17-0 Australia
35 mins - New Zealand hold firm again as they repel the Australia advance and clear their lines. Great work by the All Blacks to hold the visitors scoreless.
Wallabies find themselves back in their own territory but a free-kick allows them to flip field position.
New Zealand 17-0 Australia
32 mins - Another platform for the Aussies to build. Huge, battering carry by Harry Wilson makes ground and they win another penalty. Back to the corner
New Zealand 17-0 Australia
31 mins - Tap and go. Wallabies knocking on the door. Powerful carries from the forwards but great defence by NZ and it’s held up over the line! Goal-line dropout for the All Blacks.
New Zealand 17-0 Australia
29 mins - Australia hit straight back. Going through the phases and it looks like they’ve scored in the corner with Koroibete touching down after the ball goes through quick hands.
TMO review shows the Wallabies winger has a foot in touch though. We come back for a Wallabies penalty instead.
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