New Zealand v Australia LIVE: Result and reaction after All Blacks finish Rugby Championship with impressive win
New Zealand 33-13 Australia: The hosts controlled the contest after a fast Wallabies start to secure back-to-back Bledisloe Cup wins
New Zealand ensured a strong finish to their Rugby Championship campaign as they secured an impressive 33-13 win over Australia in Wellington.
Having fought off a late Australian comeback in the first Bledisloe Cup meeting in Sydney last week, the All Blacks controlled the contest as they returned to home soil despite a fast Wallabies start. The visitors flew out of the blocks thanks to a try from Fraser McReight, but could not sustain their effort and failed to add a second-half point to the 13 accumulated before the interval.
The hosts, meanwhile, went from strength to strength as they answered a few questions after a series of second-half collapses in their campaign. Two tries from Caleb Clarke helped power them into an unassailable advantage as their attack began to click, but it was their defensive strength that made certain of victory with Sam Cane, becoming the 13th All Black to reach 100 caps, impressive as he played his final Test in New Zealand.
Both sides were simply playing for pride this weekend as they sit third and fourth respectively in the Rugby Championship table, with neither able to win the tournament. South Africa and Argentina meet later on Saturday to decide the destination of the title.
Re-live all the action from the Rugby Championship clash in our live blog below:
New Zealand 33-13 Australia, 74 minutes
More thumping defence from the All Blacks as Australia launch their latest assault, Asafo Aumua and Ardie Savea putting in tonking tackles. Pasilio Tosi wins his second jackal penalty in a bright cameo from the inexperienced replacement tighthead.
New Zealand 33-13 Australia, 72 minutes
The skipper shells it! Consoling pats on the scrum cap for Harry Wilson from his teammates, the number eight’s face twisted in anguish after a basic dropped ball as he lined up his surge towards the line.
New Zealand 33-13 Australia, 71 minutes
It finally does run out of steam after 23 phases, a remarkable effort from the All Blacks defensively as they look to prove a few critics wrong by providing the strong finish they’ve lacked in this Rugby Championship campaign.
The Wallabies will get another chance, though. Noah Lolesio pokes the penalty into the corner.
New Zealand 33-13 Australia, 70 minutes
There is surely too much for Australia to do in this last ten minutes but they are pushing hard for a second try. Harry Wilson and Hunter Paisami each use their burl to get within a metre and there is a penalty advantage coming if the attack breaks down.
New Zealand 33-13 Australia, 68 minutes
A mighty roar as Sam Cane takes leave, his final outing in an All Black shirt on New Zealand soil at an end as the flanker prepares to retire from Test rugby at the end of the year. Luke Jacobson replaces his long-time Chiefs colleague as Cane’s 100th cap comes to a close.
TRY! NEW ZEALAND 33-13 Australia (Caleb Clarke, 65 minutes)
This one will count!
Is that it for Australia’s hopes? The All Blacks’ new playmaking pair pull the strings perfectly, Beauden Barrett and Damian McKenzie in harness as they stress test the defensive line. The fissure appears wide on the outside and McKenzie’s injection of pace draws the final defender, affording the impressive Caleb Clarke the space he needs to thunder to the line.
New Zealand 26-13 Australia, 64 minutes
Changes on both sides: Cortez Ratima and Damian McKenzie are on in the halves for New Zealand as Beauden Barrett slides to full-back, while Josh Flook is on in the Wallabies backline.
NO TRY! New Zealand 26-13 Australia, 61 minutes
The All Blacks assert their ascendancy! Or do they? The TMO may have spotted a knock on...and it is clear on the replay! In fact, there are two in quick succession as first Codie Taylor and then Sam Cane fumble. Try chalked off, Wallabies scrum.
New Zealand 26-13 Australia, 60 minutes
No try yet, but another penalty and a warning for Wallabies skipper Harry Wilson. The next man pinged will be sent for a ten-minute sin bin sit down, referee Nika Amashukeli cautions.
Australia throw on reinforcements: Langi Gleeson, Tate McDermott and Isaac Kailea are introducted.
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