The Wallabies produced their best display, arguably since the last World Cup, to claim a rare Bledisloe Cup victory over the All Blacks following a 47-26 triumph in Perth on Saturday.
New Zealand did play half of the match with 14 men after Scott Barrett was sent off, which was just their fourth red card ever and their first since Sonny Bill Williams was dismissed against the British and Irish Lions in 2017.
It was a key moment in the contest, but Australia were still the better team before that incident and deserved the 13-12 lead handed to them by Reece Hodge’s try and the accurate kicking of Christian Lealiifano.
New Zealand responded through tries from Anton Lienert-Brown and Rieko Ioane but they were powerless to stop an excellent Aussie outfit.
Lealiifano added another off the tee on the stroke of half-time before Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Nic White, Marika Koroibete, Hodge and Kurtley Beale completed the win, despite Beauden Barrett’s and Ngani Laumape’s consolation efforts.
The result puts the Wallabies back on track ahead of the World Cup while further questions will be asked of the All Blacks, who have struggled for form over the past three matches.
It has been a disappointing Rugby Championship on the whole, but this was in stark contrast to the previous four games in the competition. Although there were still a number of errors, it was a far more entertaining affair which saw a particularly thrilling opening quarter.
Australia controlled the early exchanges, forcing the All Blacks to infringe on several occasions and allowing Lealiifano to kick them ahead, before they brilliantly created the first try of the game.
James O’Connor was making his return to the starting line-up after six years in the international wilderness and he superbly got his hands free, sending Hodge scampering across the whitewash.
The conversion was added by their fly-half and they duly had the ideal start, but the Wallabies were soon pegged back by the visitors, who upped the intensity and cut out the key mistakes.
It allowed them to get on the front foot and good hands on the right gave Jack Goodhue plenty of space. The Crusaders man kicked ahead and, with the ball bouncing in-goal, Goodhue’s centre partner, Lienert-Brown, pounced to touch down and reduce the arrears.
Buoyed by that effort, New Zealand went on the attack again and Dane Coles’ excellent break set up their next score as the hooker and Aaron Smith combined to provide Ioane with an easy run to the line.
Steve Hansen’s men were still struggling for dominance, however, with the hosts playing their best rugby for some time and Lealiifano rewarded their endeavour with a second three-pointer.
Discipline was a particular problem for the away side and that was shown by second-row Barrett, who was adjudged to have shoulder charged the head and neck of Michael Hooper, leading to a red card.
VICTORY!
We have defeated the All Blacks 47—26 in the #BledisloeCup here at Optus Stadium.
READ: https://t.co/fN82aVPAgB#AUSvNZL #BledisloeCup #GoldBlooded pic.twitter.com/9PGOF8QgD5
— Qantas Wallabies (@qantaswallabies) August 10, 2019
Australia’s pivot kicked the resultant penalty attempt and they began the second period in the ascendancy against the 14 men of New Zealand.
The forwards carried well close to the opposition line and the space eventually opened for Rory Arnold to find Salakaia-Loto, who scored.
Michael Cheika’s charges were now rampant and Samu Kerevi displayed his destructive qualities to power through Smith and Beauden Barrett. The centre then did well to avoid going into touch when Laumape came across, off-loading for White to deservedly touch down.
The All Blacks are rarely finished, though, even when down to 14, and they hit back through their full-back, but the Wallabies soon put the game beyond doubt.
They controlled the play nicely and deservedly crossed the whitewash twice more through Koroibete and Hodge. Although the visitors hit back immediately through Laumape, Beale rounded off a wonderful evening for Cheika’s men.
The scorers:
For Australia:
Tries: Hodge 2, Salakaia-Loto, White, Koroibete, Beale
Cons: Lealiifano 2, Toomua 2
Pens: Lealiifano 3
For New Zealand:
Tries: Lienert-Brown, Ioane, B Barrett, Laumape
Cons: Mo’unga 3
Red Card: S Barrett
Australia: 15 Kurtley Beale, 14 Reece Hodge, 13 James O’Connor, 12 Samu Kerevi, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Christian Lealiifano, 9 Nic White, 8 Isi Naisarani, 7 Michael Hooper (c), 6 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 5 Rory Arnold, 4 Izack Rodda, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Tolu Latu, 1 Scott Sio
Replacements: 16 Folau Fainga’a, 17 James Slipper, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Adam Coleman, 20 Luke Jones, 21 Will Genia, 22 Matt Toomua, 23 Tom Banks
New Zealand: 15 Beauden Barrett, 14 Ben Smith, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 Anton Lienert-Brown, 11 Rieko Ioane, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read (c), 7 Sam Cane, 6 Ardie Savea, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Joe Moody
Replacements: 16 Codie Taylor, 17 Atu Moli, 18 Angus Ta’avao, 19 Patrick Tuipulotu, 20 Matt Todd, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Ngani Laumape, 23 George Bridge
Referee: Jérôme Garcès (France)
Assistant referees: Jaco Peyper (South Africa), Shuhei Kubo (Japan)
TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)
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