Yahoo Movies Australia rue ill-discipline as New Zealand toast success
Crocodile Dundee was in the cinemas the last time Australia won at the All Blacks' Eden Park fortress and it is more than 20 years, and now 27 Tests, since the Wallabies won anywhere on the old foe's territory.
It was a big ask for any Australian side – not least one which had been patched together after injuries plagued Dave Rennie's squad.
But after last week's fightback, which ended in defeat for the Wallabies after a controversial finale, a historic victory wasn't out of the realms of possibility – particularly given the All Blacks' chequered year which has included a first-ever series loss to Ireland on home turf.
In the end it was an easy victory for the hosts, who were crowned Rugby Championship 2022 winners later in the day when South Africa failed to pile on a heavy enough victory over Argentina. As for the Wallabies, their continuous ill-discipline throughout cost them. They lost two players to the sin-bin in the first half and conceded a penalty try at a collapsed maul to put the hosts 17-0 going into the break.
"Playing with two yellow cards in the first half put us on the back foot," Australia's captain, James Slipper, said. "That's a very disappointing outcome for us tonight.
"We wanted to come here and perform. We were really gutted with the result last week. We had confidence coming here but the All Blacks were too good for us."
It took 20 minutes for the deadlock to be broken, the All Blacks opting for a penalty goal through Richie Mo'unga after failing to take advantage of the extra man following Jed Holloway's sin-binning for a dangerous tackle on flanker Dalton Papali'i in the opening moments of the match.
The first of New Zealand's five tries fell to Will Jordan, who put down moments after Mo'unga's opening three points. The winger picked up the ball on the outside right, stepped on the gas and avoided a diving tackle from Jordan Petaia to get over the line.
The Wallabies looked tough and resolute before the match began, reprising their boomerang response to the All Blacks' haka, but the on-field reality failed to match this initial act of defiance.
Emblematic of this was the penalty try awarded to the All Blacks on 27 minutes after the Australian pack dragged down a New Zealand maul as it drove towards the line. Dave Porecki was deemed most at fault and sent to the bin.
All Blacks skipper Sam Whitelock then left the Wallabies with a mountain to climb just a couple of minutes after the break. His try between the posts, where he showed remarkable control to keep the ball in his hand and put down even with a gang of yellow shirts on top of him, was deemed legal by the TMO.
The All Blacks came out on top in almost all set-pieces throughout the match, particularly at the scrum where tighthead prop Tyrel Lomax was a powerhouse. From a lineout following a penalty in the 53rd minute, Lomax helped drive hooker Codie Taylor over for New Zealand's fourth try and a seemingly insurmountable 32-0 lead.
Australia finally got on the scoreboard through Folau Fainga'a. Fly-half Mo'unga's clearing kick was partially charged down and Pete Samu made a strong run down the touchline before his in-field pass found Fainga'a to put down.
In response, Samisoni Taukei'aho took over from Taylor at hooker and immediately scored from another lineout drive to give the All Blacks a 30-point margin. Mo'unga then added a late penalty.
The Wallabies scored a consolation try through Petaia after the full-time siren.
"We put ourselves under pressure to play well here," All Blacks coach Ian Foster said. "We felt we did a lot of that last week but let it slip in that last quarter.
"There were a lot of good signs and we showed a lot of attitude in the last game of the Championship so we've given ourselves a chance."
New Zealand v Australia: as it happened
10:13 AM
Sam Whitelock speaks with Sky Sports
Really really happy with the defence. That comes down to effort.
There are always things to work on. I thought Australia put pressure on us early on.
10:11 AM
James Slipper speaks with Sky Sports:
Playing with 13 men put us on the back foot. That is a very disappointing outcome for us.
We were really gutted with the result last week. We had a lot of confidence. But the All Blacks were too good. There is no excuse - far too many dropped balls and penalties.
10:05 AM
Full time: NZ 40 AUS 14
Discipline problems from the Wallabies tonight, who were below par and could not match the performance from last week.
The All Blacks have set the Springboks with a tough task to win the Rugby Championship. They have to win by 40 against Argentina later today.
10:03 AM
80 mins: TRY NZ 40 AUS 14
The Wallabies press, trying to burrow their way through. They try out left, but some resolute defending...
Some good ball retention from the visitors and Jordan Petaia puts down in between the posts. A consolation which is converted.
10:00 AM
78 mins: NZ 40 AUS 7
Last throw of the dice from the Wallabies. Scrum from inside their own half and they'll look to salvage something out of this.
The All Blacks' defence is solid as Australia push towards the halfway line.
They earn a penalty and go for touch for a lineout five yards out.
09:57 AM
76 mins: PENALTY NZ 40 AUS 7
Mo'unga penalty goal to put the hosts 33 points ahead.
09:55 AM
74 mins: NZ 37 AUS 7
Pete Samu skips inside in a rare Wallaby foray in the All Blacks' 22. They're searching for a second try... but it's turned over by Sevu Reece to begin a counter.
Savea with a strong run down the right - he's supported by Jordie Barrett and Papali'i before hitting the buffers.
The ambition to play out from their own 22 was outstanding there.
09:49 AM
69 mins: NZ 37 AUS 7
The All Blacks have another scrum on the right side, five yards out from the Australian try line.
The Wallaby scrum holds out and they earn a penalty.
09:45 AM
65 mins: TRY NZ 37 AUS 7
Australia concede a penalty, metres from the try line for a knock on. Basic errors in this danger zone. The story of the game for the visitors.
The All Blacks opt for a lineout... the maul drives towards the line and they're over with the backs getting involved. Taukei'aho is the man who grounded it. Mo'unga hits the post with the conversion.
09:41 AM
58 mins: TRY NZ 32 AUS 7
Nick Frost, off the bench, makes a charge down onto the New Zealand defensive kick.
It pays off, Samu making a strong run down the left, before offloading to Folau Fainga'a on his inside who is brought down but manages to reach over to put over the line. Australia are off the mark almost an hour into the match.
Foley converts.
09:32 AM
53 mins: TRY NZ 32 AUS 0
Lineout throw in the Australian 22 from the All Blacks judged not straight by the ref. Scrum to come.
It's a shaky Aussie scrum, Tyrel Lomax getting lots of pats on the back from his team-mates to overturn it. Taylor throws from the lineout, it's won by Whitelock. They drive collectively towards the line, and Taylor is the man who puts it down!
Mo'unga misses the conversion.
09:26 AM
48 mins: PENALTY NZ 27 AUS 0
The All Blacks opt to convert the penalty. An easy three for Mo'unga there. It's now 27-0, a huge score for the visitors to overturn.
09:23 AM
45 mins: TRY NZ 24 AUS 0
The All Blacks work themselves towards the Australian 22, yet again. Lots of nice short offloads. They earn a penalty advantage.
09:21 AM
42 mins: TRY NZ 24 AUS 0
TMO sticks with the on field decision. No clear evidence to say that Sam Whitelock has lost control of the ball even when he's being pummelled by the Australian defence.
09:18 AM
42 mins: NZ 17 AUS 0
The All Blacks have started strong here. Sam Whitelock puts down right between the posts. The on field decision is given as a try, but there is a TMO check for a knock on and to check that it has actually been grounded.
09:15 AM
41 mins: NZ 17 AUS 0
Holloway tries to close down Jordie Barrett's kick and ends up picking up a knock. He seems ok, making his way very slowly back to the lineout.
09:14 AM
Second half!
Begins. New Zealand kick.
09:03 AM
Half time: NZ 17 AUS 0
The All Blacks are two tries to zero, 17-0 up. Some ill-discipline in the Australian ranks has proven costly.
Australia have had a couple of decent attacks, but New Zeland shut the door and countered well from these. Some great carriers from the All Blacks' forwards.
Thoughts from Telegraph Sport's rugby reporter, Charles Richardson:
Sink or swim time for the Wallabies. The half-time score might flatter New Zealand but, equally, it is difficult to make a case for Australia considering the shoddiness of their discipline.
This next half will prove a lot about the character of Dave Rennie's Australia. Without a win at Eden Park since 1986, the following 40 minutes have the potential to turn very messy if New Zealand start clicking through the gears. Conversely, 17 points is not an insurmountable deficit - and stranger things have happened.
A fascinating half in store.
08:57 AM
37 mins: NZ 17 AUS 0
Porecki comes back on the pitch, out the bin.
Neville wins the lineout for the Wallabies. Kick comes down around halfway and Clarke picks it out of the sky beautifully.
A lovely intercept from Foley to steal the ball away from the All Blacks' attack, Papali'i's pass picked off.
08:52 AM
34 mins: NZ 17 AUS 0
Australia keep searching for the elusive try... but the All Blacks manage to regroup and turnover and push the Wallabies right back to their 22. Beauden Barrett's kicking has been outstanding this evening. Impressive work from the hosts to push the visitors back as the pressure started to build.
08:48 AM
30 mins: NZ 17 AUS 0
Australia come again, driving onto the line, but the ref makes the call that it's been held up.
08:46 AM
28 mins: NZ 17 AUS 0
Koroibete puts down in the left corner! Was he too far across when he received the pass? The TMO shows that he was.
A neat move at the front, catching the All Blacks out, but Koroibete's foot was just out.
08:43 AM
27 mins: PENALTY TRY NZ 17 AUS 0
Lineout from NZ on the right, Taylor throws. Whitelock takes it down and the All Blacks drive.
It's a penalty try! Incursion from Porecki who goes to the bin - in fairness it was the whole pack dragging the NZ maul down, but someone had to take the hit. Australia are in real trouble now.
08:41 AM
25 mins: NZ 10 AUS 0
Ioane reels away up the pitch on the New Zealand counter. He probably had his moment to offload to his man on the right, but he instead hits traffic.
We've got a TMO decision now for potential foul play from Australia, it's cleared, now a check for offside. It's given. Advantage New Zealand.
08:37 AM
20 mins: TRY NZ 10 AUS 0
All Blacks on the forward march here! They switch play to the left, and then back to the right, a really nice sequence of short balls.
Will Jordan gets on the outside right, puts his foot on the gas and pushes away from the diving tackle of Jordan Petaia to get over the line.
Mo'unga converts. The All Blacks strike twice.
08:33 AM
20 mins: NZ 3 AUS 0
Mo'unga scores a pretty simple penalty to break the deadlock after 20 minutes.
08:30 AM
18 mins: NZ 0 AUS 0
Foley tries a kick down through the right, but it's rather ineffective and dribbles out of play.
Scoreless as we get towards the quarter-point in the game. Australia win the ball from the All Blacks' lineout.
08:28 AM
16 mins: NZ 0 AUS 0
The Wallabies are looking good with ball in hand. They survived being one man down and are pushing the All Blacks here.
Jordie Barrett drives the ball back towards the half way line from their scrum, 12 yards out from their try line.
08:24 AM
13 mins: NZ 0 AUS 0
Australia are driving for the line here... but the All Blacks win the penalty and can start a counter.
A bit of back and forth, up and back down the pitch. Barrett fires into touch at 22 in the end.
08:22 AM
12 mins: NZ 0 AUS 0
Australia win a penalty a few yards into the New Zealand half now.
Foley goes for touch on the left, with Holloway returning to the field.
08:21 AM
10 mins: NZ 0 AUS 0
Another penalty... All Blacks go for a lineout now.
Taylor with the throw. It's brought down, but this time the Wallabies win the penalty and can clear their lines.
Interesting change their from the All Blacks - they had a man advantage in the scrum but decided to go for the lineout... and it's not paid off.
08:19 AM
8 mins: NZ 0 AUS 0
The All Blacks drive the scrum, but they lose control. Smith does a good job at tidying up and it's another scrum. Australia are ticking down the clock for the return of Holloway in just three more minutes.
08:17 AM
6 mins: NZ 0 AUS 0
Savea's almost over the line, but it's just about kept up. Penalty advantage. We're going back to another five-yard scrum here...
08:16 AM
6 mins: NZ 0 AUS 0
The All Blacks have a scrum, 10 yards into their own half. Australia a man down so a big discrepancy in pack weight.
Savea and Smith offload nicely. They switch over to the left flank and Beauden Barrett dodges away from a couple of tackles before popping one over the top. The All Blacks win a scrum, five yards out.
08:12 AM
2 mins: NZ 0 AUS 0
A very dangerous manoeuvre from Jed Holloway. He lifts his man and throws him head down onto the deck. A clear yellow there and he's off for 10.
08:08 AM
Kick off!
Foley gets us under way.
08:03 AM
Moment of silence
For Queen Elizabeth II before the national anthems.
And then the haka... only a few minutes to go now.
07:59 AM
Lineups
New Zealand: Beauden Barrett, Will Jordan, Rieko Ioane, Jordie Barrett, Caleb Clarke, Richie Mo'unga, Aaron Smith; Ardie Savea, Dalton Papali'i, Akira Ioane, Sam Whitelock (captain), Brodie Retallick, Tyrel Lomax, Codie Taylor, Ethan de Groot.
Reserves: Samisoni Taukei'aho, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Nepo Laulala, Tupou Vaa'i, Hoskins Sotutu, Finlay Christie, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Sevu Reece.
Australia: Andrew Kellaway, Tom Wright, Len Ikitau, Lalakai Foketi, Marika Koroibete, Bernard Foley, Jake Gordon; Harry Wilson, Pete Samu, Rob Valetini, Cadeyrn Neville, Jed Holloway, Allan Alaalatoa, David Porecki, James Slipper (captain).
Reserves: Folau Fainga'a, Angus Bell, Pone Fa'amausili, Nick Frost, Fraser McReight, Nic White, Reece Hodge, Jordan Petaia.
07:58 AM
Good morning!
Hello and welcome to Telegraph Sport's live coverage of the clash between New Zealand and Australia at Auckland’s Eden Park in the final round of the Rugby Championship.
The All Blacks won last week's match between the teams in Melbourne in contentious circumstances to retain the Bledisloe Cup for a 20th straight year and stay atop the Championship table.
But it was not without controversy.
The Wallabies were incensed that a win which might have allowed them to recover the Bledisloe Cup after two decades was snatched away from them by a rule seldom enforced in modern rugby.
Australia were in front 37-34 with a minute to play in the match when the All Blacks conceded a penalty from a fractured lineout drive. The Australian players celebrated and flyhalf Bernard Foley prepared to kick for touch to set up a lineout which could have been the last play of the match.
But French referee Mathieu Raynal felt Foley was taking too long to kick the ball, warned him and then called him for time wasting, awarding the All Blacks a scrum from which they scored the winning try.
Australia sought clarification of Raynal's ruling from World Rugby and head coach Dave Rennie claims the world body supported their view it was incorrect.
"We've decided to just take that on the chin and we're going to move on," Rennie said. "We sought a bit of clarity and we got that. It's not going to help us win on the weekend."
New Zealand hasn't lost a test at Eden Park in 28 years and hasn't lost to Australia at the Auckland stadium since 1986. But this has been a year of firsts: the All Blacks have sustained their first-ever test loss to Ireland in New Zealand, their first series at home to Ireland for the first time. They then lost to Argentina in New Zealand for the first time.
So the moment seems ripe for Australia to break their Eden Park jinx and they will be more determined to do so because of the circumstances of last weekend's loss.
AP
