New Zealand staved off an Australia comeback Saturday to win their Rugby Championship Test 33-24 and extend their remarkable unbeaten streak at Eden Park to 52 matches.
The Wallabies rallied from 20-3 down but the All Blacks srumhalf Cam Roigard’s second try late on ensured the All Blacks to retain the Bledisloe Cup in a winning response to their record loss to South Africa. Roigard was the standout performer in his return from two months out with injury.
He scored two tries and New Zealand showed the kind of control which was missing when
they were humiliated 43-10 by the Springboks in Wellington two weeks ago.
The All Blacks skipper Ardie Savea said: “We got a good start and we know the Aussies – they
never give up and they keep coming and coming, and it’s a testament to them. Also proud of
our boys for sticking at it.
“We know Australia is a quality side and it’s going to be another big one next week,” he
added, looking ahead to the return clash next weekend in Perth. “We’ll enjoy tonight and
then reset and try and go again.”
New Zealand coach Scott Robertson advised his “hurt and stung” team to respond with a
more clinical performance, something they achieved early and late in a tense contest. The home side scored four tries to three to go top of the standings in the tightly fought Rugby
Championship, although they could be surpassed by South Africa or Argentina, who were to
meet in Durban later.
Australia’s defeat leaves them without a win over the All Blacks on New Zealand soil since
2001, with victory having eluded them in 23 straight matches at Eden Park.
Missed opportunity
“Obviously disappointing to miss out on the Bledisloe for another year, but credit to New Zealand. They outplayed us tonight,” said the Wallabies captain Harry Wilson.
“We gave ourselves an opportunity there, but well done to New Zealand. “We’re definitely on the right track. We just can’t keep giving teams head starts,” he added.
“But the Rugby Championship is still alive, so there’s a lot for us to play for next week. For us, this is another learning, and we’re going to be a lot better next week.”
New Zealand are unbeaten against all teams at their Auckland fortress since 1994 but that
record came under threat as the Wallabies rallied to trail 20-17 at half-time. New Zealand powered 17 points ahead in the opening 25 minutes through three unanswered tries, to backs Caleb Clarke, Leroy Carter and Roigard.
Clarke crossed in the fourth minute of his first test appearance of an injury-plagued year.
The wing had appeared emotional during his country’s pre-match anthem, which was sung
by his father and former All Black Eroni Clarke.
Australia’s fightback coincided with a slew of penalties conceded by the home side. Tries to Billy Pollard and Harry Potter were both converted by James O’Connor as Australia
took momentum into the interval. Two long-range penalty goals from fly-half Damian McKenzie pushed New Zealand clear again.
However, Australia closed the gap to two points when replacement forward Carlo Tizzano
powered over for a try from a lineout drive. The visitors lost wing Potter to a yellow card for a professional foul and the All Blacks capitalised, sending the speedy Roigard through a gap to make the game safe.
