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All Blacks set sizeable target for Springboks with big win over Wallabies
The All Blacks have mauled Australia to put one hand on the Rugby Championship, belting an ill-disciplined Wallabies 40-14 in Auckland.
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With the Bledisloe Cup already in the bag, Ian Foster’s side made mincemeat of the visitors at Eden Park, threatening a record-breaking defeat at 32-0 with 20 minutes to play.
Late Folau Fainga’a and Jordan Petaia tries spared those blushes, though rarely in their 36 years of Eden Park pain have Australia been further away from victory.
“Just gutted the way we performed tonight,” Wallabies captain James Slipper said.
“We had a lot of adversity through the championship. The boys stayed really tight, we showed a lot of character at times.
“We wanted to come here and perform. The ABs were too good tonight clearly.”
Will Jordan, Sam Whitelock, Codie Taylor and Samisoni Taukei’aho touched down for New Zealand, with a first-half penalty try underscoring the Wallabies’ lack of composure in the Auckland cauldron.
After pleading for discipline from his side, Australia coach Dave Rennie must have been fuming to see one of his forwards in the bin after just 124 seconds.
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Jed Holloway, who broke the All Blacks line in the opening minute, was yellow-carded for spear-tackling Dalton Papali’i 60 seconds later, his enthusiasm turning to recklessness.
The Wallabies kept the All Blacks out while undermanned – holding up Ardie Savea over the line – and grew in confidence once parity was restored.
Marika Koroibete looked fired up, and the Wallabies lingered long in New Zealand’s 22, struggling only to finish.
Frustrated for 21 minutes, Richie Mo’unga put the first points on the board with a short-range penalty for the All Blacks.
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Aaron Smith’s bullet passes set Jordan free soon after, the winger surging past a diving Petaia for the first try.
New Zealand’s second was less elegant, with referee Andrew Brace awarding a penalty try and ordering David Poreck i to spend 10 minutes on the sidelines for collapsing the maul.
Still the undermanned Wallabies fought, with Koroibete denied a try for stepping on the line under the watchful eye of touch judge Mathieu Raynal, who as referee broke Australian hearts with a late time-wasting call on Bernard Foley in last week’s 39-37 loss in Melbourne.
Down 17-0 at halftime, the Wallabies defence fell apart after the break.
A fortuitous TMO call brought Whitelock the All Blacks’ third try, with the power of the Kiwi mauls sending Taylor and Taukei’aho over for their fourth and fifth of the night either side of Fainga’a’s face-saver.
Jordan Petaia, on early after a shoulder injury to Lalakai Foketi, scored in the 82nd minute for another consolation.
“We got shaded in all areas,” Rennie confessed, bemoaning 16 penalties and the two yellows.
“We had enough ball down their defensive end … credit to their defence.”
For the All Blacks, makeshift No.12 Jordie Barrett was sensational, while Papali’i made a stunning 19 tackles.
“It’s a loseable game when you play Australia, as you saw last week,” Foster said.
“We were a lot more ruthless how we exposed our edges.”
The result means New Zealand have a strong shot of defending their Rugby Championship title.
The All Blacks need South Africa to win by fewer than 39 points against Argentina on Sunday morning (AEST) to claim the Southern Hemisphere crown.
Australia, with two wins from six in the championship, will lick their wounds before turning their minds to their Northern Hemisphere tour.
– Ben McKay
Comments on RugbyPass
Loose forwards always look good going forward and winning. It’s the same loose forwards for the Crusaders and the Canes this year as last year. Too much of the shiny new things getting noticed here while older consistent ones getting bagged. It’s early days. Calm the farm.
5 Go to commentsThanks Nick, and on the money. We tend to be apathetic until something REALLY BAD happens, then we aren't! At least this applies to the Reb players and coach, if not the spectators. They seem to be getting very quick ball at times. Have they altered something, or is it just all of the skills coming together at the right time? It seems almost the opposite of the Reds, who started the season with quick ball, but haven't been showing that in the last 3 losing games. Is it attitude (McDermott hasn't looked “right” to me for 3 weeks), or something else?
9 Go to commentsGood summary. As said, Sevu Reece has been electrifying for the Crusaders. Great try and he has been everywhere. Amazing he is now equal with Caleb Ralph , club record of 52 tries for the Crusaders. That record beckons. Good to see Dallas McLeod getting regular starts at last. A big few weeks are ahead.
5 Go to commentsGood article/interview.As was said Christian Lio-Willie was barnstorming when he came on for the Crusaders. What happened at the end, self-explanatory.Captain fantastic Scott Barrett is due back soon as well, once they are back from Aussie. Great to see Ethan Blackadder back last week.
1 Go to commentsYou must have been watching one team, Andrew - and even then you missed the brightest star in the Chiefs pack - Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 2 turnovers, genuine line-out presence and grunt around the field, and the soft hands of a back.
5 Go to commentsHaha what a crock of sh!t these headlines are. Moorby’s best year was that first. Still doesn’t seem to have the same game about him as when he was fresh but has bounced back well this season to be playing consistent tight accurate footy
1 Go to commentsIt’s even dumber than Bernard Foley not kicking the penalty to touch in the Melbourne Bledisloe in 2022.
3 Go to commentsYes, they are traveling well but it’s early days. The Chiefs were in front with 20 to go while they snatched a last minute win v the Reds. Keep calm.
1 Go to commentsThe failure of the Irish system / rugby playing style to produce their own backs has them looking elsewhere for innovation and flair - not that Jordie has much flair. He’s a converted fullback. The Canes have plenty of other younger options.
9 Go to comments1.Watch Wallace Sititi be the wild card AB. A genuine full time no 8 2. Luke J like Sotutu has not delivered. 3. Chiefs have all the right cattle but badly miss the leadership of Webber. LJ is about as unconvincing as Sam Cane when under the pump. They had the winning of that game in the second half then fell apart.
5 Go to commentsYes the Rebels are showing signs of life because they are literally playing for their live -lihoods and thanks to their Australian attack coach. However they are still playing an essentially dull boring south african style for the rest of the time. And Geoff Parling must be the most useless lineout coach ever. Worse than Steve Hansen even. Interestingly we are starting to see more cheap shots and attempts to get away with cheating by Australian players, now they are being influenced by Joe Schmidt. It was exactly the same when Rennie started out as Wallaby coach and thru his tenure. Trying to teach Australians to play like kiwis doesn’t work, as the last 20 years has conclusively demonstrated. Especially when we are not as good at it as kiwis. Which of course is the whole idea …..
9 Go to commentsGreat signing, not sure where he’ll fit in though. As for him ‘playing alongside RG Snyman, that’s highly debatable given the likelyhood that the latter will spend most of the season on sick leave.
9 Go to commentsWowee!
9 Go to commentsEvery team that has played a game in Africa this Champions Cup season is already out of the competition - including the SA teams. Could be a concidence.
30 Go to commentsthat should offer some experiences for Jordie.
9 Go to commentsJust remember: He is not a winger. Took Ian Foster 2 years to figure that out.
9 Go to commentsExcellent article, Nick. We (your RP colleague Brett McKay and my 8/9 Combo cohost), are going to have LSL on our podcast later this month. He has shown consistent excellence as a leader and lock. I’ll chat with you offline about a line of questioning if you have time. H
9 Go to commentsSo no Irish fan or journalist suggested JGP was as good as DuPont. Then even the guy who supposedly did is from Wales and said JGP would be the best around if it was t for DuPont. Right, so what is this story about again
17 Go to commentsGreat news for the URC. Leinster will always attract top talent. Another huge name added to their stable
9 Go to commentsWhen you look at Australian Rugby you can see the talent coming through. There’s young players everywhere. They have the makings of a strong Wallaby team for years to come if they trust their young players. There might be some short term pain but after 30 or 40 caps together a Wallaby group comprised of the current youngsters will really be top class. It seems like the threat of going under has focused the Rebels both on and off the field. They are having a go like a team with nothing to lose and winning back the fans whilst silencing their detractors. Its funny how an existential threat can spur a team on to new highs. Taking rugby back to the communities will help to build support and create a true team for the community and one rooted into it. It may just work and save the Rebels and if they can get the financing then maybe let them have a go at reinvention. I do feel though that Australian Rugby has one too many franchises. If the Rebels die all these solid young players get infused into other franchises who will have more money, depth and resources. It would make the Australian Rugby franchises so much stronger and they may come to achieve parity with the best franchises from NZ. Super Rugby is throwing up some really entertaining games. Not too much good defence but certainly high pace, try scoring magic on display. Melbourne are no exception to this.
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