All Blacks 35 Wallabies 29 - IMMEDIATE REACTION

• Beauden Barrett just kicked the All Blacks to victory. Yes, Beaudy brought his boots tonight and it was a very good thing for the All Blacks that he did. His five conversions were the difference between the two teams, however he was helped by Bernard Foley managing the rare feat of hitting the posts THREE TIMES.

https://twitter.com/jwcoetzee/status/901377356299988992

• The All Blacks were as bad in the first 20 minutes as they were good in the first half last week. Taking nothing away from the Wallabies, it seemed like the All Blacks hands were covered in oil because they’d drop everything that went out to the backs. Sonny Bill Williams in particular had a nightmare.
• So being in front of a team mate knocking the ball down and playing it IS a penalty? According to Nigel Owens it is, he pinged the Wallabies for the exact same crucial offence that Roman Poite let the Lions off with in the last test of their tour.
• Brodie Retallick almost got in trouble for getting up. But somehow Owens, the touch judges and the TMO all missed Dane Coles coming through and smacking Ned Hannigan in the face only seconds prior.
• A captain’s knock. How about that from Kieran Read, stepping up and claiming the kick off moments after it’d looked like the Wallabies had clinched the game. Then following it up with the crucial pass to set up Beauden Barrett for the winner. That may be the biggest play of his 102 match All Black career.

https://twitter.com/CharlieFelix/status/901383163682934784

• Even the most biased New Zealander has to respect the Wallabies tonight. That would have to be the biggest turnaround since 1996, when the Wallabies were thrashed 43-6 in the first Bledisloe Cup test and almost won the second a week later after shooting out to a big lead in Brisbane. Australian rugby desperately needed the Wallabies to show some backbone, and they got that as well as guts, heart and Kurtley Beale’s blood all over his face as he scored what would’ve been the winning try. While they didn’t win, the Wallabies showed that they’re far from being lowered into the grave just yet. This will set up a fantastic third match in Brisbane later in the year.
• That was the best test you’ll see in a long time. This one had everything: a massive reversal in fortunes from the Wallabies in a week, a titanic effort at scrum time by the All Blacks, one of the best displays at halfback this season by BOTH Aaron Smith and Will Genia, a kicker hitting the posts three times and a thrilling punch and counter punch finish. Take a bow, both sides.