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
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:
Australia 21-31 New Zealand, 76 minutes
Penalty to New Zealand! The maul runs aground and lock Jeremy Williams is totally isolated as he bundles into Scott Barrett. Wallace Sititi, producing a star-making performance, is technically perfect in his jackal - that might, might be enough.
Australia 21-31 New Zealand, 75 minutes
Anton Lienert-Brown waits to return but will not be allowed to do so before the Wallabies throw a lineout on the All Blacks ten-metre. A score here would really throw the cat among the pigeons.
Forward pass! A dextrous flick from Harry Wilson as he takes contact but it’s forward out of the hand to Andrew Kellaway.
Back for a penalty, though, for a high tackle from Pasilio Tosi. No thought of three - to the right corner Noah Lolesio sends his forwards.
Australia 21-31 New Zealand, 74 minutes
New Zealand go into close-out mode, getting their burly men to make conservative carries. But the danger of that strategy is that regular rucks afford the opposition opportunities to try and jackal - and Dylan Pietsch turns over Wallace Sititi to earn the Wallabies a penalty.
Six minutes, ten points. All Blacks coach Scott Robertson shoots a slightly anxious looks across to forwards coach Jason Ryan.
Australia 21-31 New Zealand, 73 minutes
Australia sprint beneath the posts to excite sections of the crowd, but a knock-on from Andrew Kellaway earlier had been spotted by just about everyone except referee Karl Dickson. Dickson awards the try before quickly reversing his decision to go back to halfway for a scrum - the All Blacks totally stopped, so will be rather glad.
YELLOW CARD! Caleb Clarke is sent to the sin bin! Australia 21-31 New Zealand, 72 minutes
The All Blacks are down to 13 men! Caleb Clarke thrusts out a blocking hand to deny Andrew Kellaway a free run up the right and he’s sent to the sin bin!
He will not return, and there will be a couple of minutes for the Wallabies to play with a two-man advantage.
Australia 21-31 New Zealand, 71 minutes
The lineout battle has been good today, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto just doing enough to keep the ball out of Wallace Sititi’s hands. The young All Blacks blindside has been really impressive as a defensive jumper.
Australia 21-31 New Zealand, 70 minutes
The All Blacks threaten to allay those fears with a gleeful gambol up the left, Caleb Clarke and Wallace Sititi prominent, but when they come back to the right, the visitors are penalised. Was Harry Wilson on his feet when contesting at the ruck? It appears not, but the officials are satisfied and reward the Wallabies captain’s work.
A worry, though, for James Slipper on his record day - the prop is heading off for an HIA. Angus Bell returns.
Australia 21-31 New Zealand, 69 minutes
New Zealand’s final quarter collapses are beginning to become a concern. They were so good in this portion in the England series but they’ve been guilty of giving the game away against Argentina and South Africa (x2) in this Rugby Championship campaign.
Australia 21-31 New Zealand, 68 minutes
Australia go straight from the restart! Out of their own 22 Brandon Paenga-Amosa and Fraser McReight lead the charge, Tate McDermott scampering onwards thereafter. TJ Perenara makes a stern tackle to stall momentum, and it’s the scrum half again making a vital intervention to allow a couple of teammates to win a breakdown penalty.
TRY! AUSTRALIA 21-31 New Zealand (Hunter Paisami, 66 minutes)
And Hunter Paisami scythes through from close range!
New Zealand are going to lose a player, too. Paisami provides the finishing touches with a cannonball charge after his forwards had gone close, and Anton Lienert-Brown is sent to the sin bin for a succession of All Blacks penalties.
The Wallabies are back within ten.
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