Beauden Barrett (left) started his first Rugby Championship game at fly-half this campaign [Getty Images]
2024 Rugby Championship
New Zealand (19) 33
Tries: Reece, Jordan, Clarke 2, Williams Cons: B Barrett 4
Australia (13) 13
Try: McReight Pens: Lolesio 2 Con: Lolesio
New Zealand ended their Rugby Championship campaign on a high, with a comfortable 33-13 victory over a much-improved Australia in Wellington.
The Wallabies started fast with flanker Fraser McReight going over for the opening try after sustained pressure.
However, the All Blacks, who last won in Wellington in 2018, responded through a try each from their back three of Sevu Reece, Will Jordan and Caleb Clarke.
Prop Tamaiti Williams then powered over in the second period before winger Clarke sealed the win.
The hosts had already retained the Bledisloe Cup for the 22nd year in a row following a 31-28 victory in Sydney last weekend.
Victory also moves Scott Robertson’s side up to second in the championship – a position they will finish in if South Africa defeat Argentina in a title decider later on Saturday in Nelspruit.
Two defeats by the Springboks and one by Argentina meant New Zealand were unable to reclaim the Rugby Championship for the first time since 2019 in Robertson’s first tournament as head coach.
Joe Schmidt’s first championship in charge of Australia finishes with just one victory over the Pumas, with his side bottom of the table for the second year running.
All Blacks finally finish strong
New Zealand survived a late rally to beat Australia last weekend in a game that ended with the Wallabies in full control, wishing they had more time after scoring two tries in the closing stages.
Schmidt’s side started in Wellington as they finished last weekend, with flanker McReight forcing his way over for a deserved opening try.
Despite the visitors dominating the early stages, the All Blacks responded when Wallace Sititi showed some nifty footwork to break the line, before Anton Lienert-Brown’s long pass sent Reece over in the corner.
An individual score by Jordan, who cut a brilliant line to step his way through and score his 35th Test try in just 37 appearances, further punished the Wallabies for not taking their early opportunities.
Right on the half-time buzzer, Clarke was next to show his rapid pace as he burst through a hole to reward bravery in turning down a kickable penalty.
Throughout the Rugby Championship a problem for New Zealand has been their ability to score second-half points and close out games, which they put right in Wellington when Williams pushed his way over before Clarke again showed his sharp finishing.
Both sides will want to use their disappointing campaigns as fuel for when they head over to the northern hemisphere for Tests in November.
Line-ups
New Zealand: Jordan; Reece, Ioane, Lienert-Brown, Clarke; Barrett, Perenara; De Groot, Taylor, Lomax, S Barrett (capt), Vaa’i, Sititi, Cane, Savea.
Replacements: Aumua, Williams, Tosi, Tuipulotu, Jacobson, Ratima, McKenzie, Havili.
Australia: Wright; Kellaway, Ikitau, Paisami, Pietsch; Lolesio, Gordon; Bell, Faessler, Tupou, Frost, Williams, Valetini, McReight, Wilson (capt).
Replacements: Paenga-Amosa, Kailea, Alaalatoa, Salakaia-Loto, Gleeson, McDermott, Donaldson, Flook.
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (GRU)
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