New Zealand ensured a strong finish to their Rugby Championship campaign as they secured an impressive 33-13 win over Australia in Wellington.
Having fought off a late Australian comeback in the first Bledisloe Cup meeting in Sydney last week, the All Blacks controlled the contest as they returned to home soil despite a fast Wallabies start. The visitors flew out of the blocks thanks to a try from Fraser McReight, but could not sustain their effort and failed to add a second-half point to the 13 accumulated before the interval.
The hosts, meanwhile, went from strength to strength as they answered a few questions after a series of second-half collapses in their campaign. Two tries from Caleb Clarke helped power them into an unassailable advantage as their attack began to click, but it was their defensive strength that made certain of victory with Sam Cane, becoming the 13th All Black to reach 100 caps, impressive as he played his final Test in New Zealand.
Both sides were simply playing for pride this weekend as they sit third and fourth respectively in the Rugby Championship table, with neither able to win the tournament. South Africa and Argentina meet later on Saturday to decide the destination of the title.
Re-live all the action from the Rugby Championship clash in our live blog below:
New Zealand v Australia LIVE
New Zealand beat Australia in Wellington to sign off Rugby Championship campaign in style
FULL TIME! New Zealand 33-13 Australia
TRY! NEW ZEALAND 33-13 Australia (Caleb Clarke, 65 minutes)
TRY! NEW ZEALAND 26-13 Australia (Tamaiti Williams, 56 minutes)
HT: New Zealand 19-13 Australia
TRY! NEW ZEALAND 19-13 Australia (Caleb Clarke, 41 minutes)
TRY! NEW ZEALAND 12-10 Australia (Will Jordan, 23 minutes)
TRY! NEW ZEALAND 5-7 Australia (Sevu Reece, 16 minutes)
TRY! New Zealand 0-7 AUSTRALIA (Fraser McReight, 8 minutes)
KICK OFF!
All Blacks sign off Rugby Championship in style with win over Wallabies
10:34 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Winger Caleb Clarke scored two tries as New Zealand beat the Wallabies 33-13 on Saturday to round out the Rugby Championship with a third win and snap their six-year victory drought in Wellington.
The All Blacks back three of Sevu Reece, Will Jordan and Clarke all scored tries in the first half and prop Tamaiti Williams also crossed after the break before Clarke added his second in the final quarter.
The Wallabies played some of their best rugby of the year in the first half but only had a Fraser McReight try and two Noah Lolesio penalties to show for their efforts as they finished the tournament with a single win from six matches.
All Blacks sign off Rugby Championship in style with win over Wallabies
FT: New Zealand 33-13 Australia
10:14 , Harry Latham-Coyle
That’s a first win in Wellington since 2018 for the All Blacks, putting an end to that curious hoodoo. There are still a few problems to solve for Scott Robertson but the balance of the side looked good with Beauden Barrett at fly half and Will Jordan injecting intelligently from full-back. Does Barrett remain at the primary playmaking spot later in the year? New Zealand have a tune-up Test against Japan in Yokohama before taking on England at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham on 2 November, with Robertson likely to look a bit more at the depth of his squad.
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FT: New Zealand 33-13 Australia
10:10 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Schmidt will be disappointed, I think, that his side did not make more of their early advantage. Their ambition and invention was impressive in the first 20 minutes but their inability to win the gainline more traditionally later on will be an ongoing concern.
That’s three defeats on the spin and five in six across the campaign. Their November business is significant: after a couple of months off, Australia face each of England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland in the Autumn Nations Series.
FT: New Zealand 33-13 Australia
10:05 , Harry Latham-Coyle
A performance that New Zealand rather needed, you’d say, not panicking after a fast Australian start and answering a few critics by holding their form to the finish. Impressive showings all across the park from the All Blacks, with Beauden Barrett steering the ship effectively on his return to fly half and both Caleb Clarke and Will Jordan adding real X-factor from the back three.
A few positives to take for Joe Schmidt, who got the fast start he desired, though the Wallabies never looked to have enough to make it a genuine contest.
Centurion Sam Cane reacts after a win in his final Test on New Zealand soil
09:58 , Harry Latham-Coyle
“I just feel really lucky to have this moment at home in New Zealand in front of these incredible fans. This is the best I’ve ever seen Wellington, to be honest. I just tried to really enjoy the moment.
“There are some pretty special athletes coming through, and they are just getting better and better. There are great blokes in the All Blacks, that never changes – one of the best things about being part of this group for so long is that they are just awesome people. That’ll never change.”
FULL TIME! New Zealand 33-13 Australia
09:54 , Harry Latham-Coyle
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New Zealand 33-13 Australia, 80 minutes
09:53 , Harry Latham-Coyle
The All Blacks run the clock down as they wait for the siren to sound, another Bledisloe Cup win long since secure…
New Zealand 33-13 Australia, 78 minutes
09:52 , Harry Latham-Coyle
There’s serious resolve about the All Blacks in the throes of their Rugby Championship campaign, though. After all of the criticism about their final quarter collapses, another strong stand ensures that Australia remain without a point since Noah Lolesio’s second penalty in the first half.
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YELLOW CARD! Caleb Clarke is sent to the sin bin! New Zealand 33-13 Australia, 77 minutes
09:51 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Just as in Sydney last week, Caleb Clarke will finish the game in the sin bin! For a fourth Test in a row, the All Blacks lose a man inside the final ten minutes, though this is unfortunate for Clarke – the ball springs free to the feet of the retreating wing after Cortez Ratima contested at a ruck, and he can’t help but scoop it up. He’s clearly offside, of course, and the card is just, though a different officiating team may have rewarded Ratima’s work with a penalty.
New Zealand 33-13 Australia, 75 minutes
09:49 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Brandon Paenga-Amosa replies in kind as New Zealand go in search of a try of their own, the hooker matching Tosi’s technique with the All Blacks’ clearers slow to arrive at a ruck.
New Zealand 33-13 Australia, 74 minutes
09:47 , Harry Latham-Coyle
More thumping defence from the All Blacks as Australia launch their latest assault, Asafo Aumua and Ardie Savea putting in tonking tackles. Pasilio Tosi wins his second jackal penalty in a bright cameo from the inexperienced replacement tighthead.
New Zealand 33-13 Australia, 72 minutes
09:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle
The skipper shells it! Consoling pats on the scrum cap for Harry Wilson from his teammates, the number eight’s face twisted in anguish after a basic dropped ball as he lined up his surge towards the line.
New Zealand 33-13 Australia, 71 minutes
09:43 , Harry Latham-Coyle
It finally does run out of steam after 23 phases, a remarkable effort from the All Blacks defensively as they look to prove a few critics wrong by providing the strong finish they’ve lacked in this Rugby Championship campaign.
The Wallabies will get another chance, though. Noah Lolesio pokes the penalty into the corner.
New Zealand 33-13 Australia, 70 minutes
09:42 , Harry Latham-Coyle
There is surely too much for Australia to do in this last ten minutes but they are pushing hard for a second try. Harry Wilson and Hunter Paisami each use their burl to get within a metre and there is a penalty advantage coming if the attack breaks down.
New Zealand 33-13 Australia, 68 minutes
09:40 , Harry Latham-Coyle
A mighty roar as Sam Cane takes leave, his final outing in an All Black shirt on New Zealand soil at an end as the flanker prepares to retire from Test rugby at the end of the year. Luke Jacobson replaces his long-time Chiefs colleague as Cane’s 100th cap comes to a close.
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TRY! NEW ZEALAND 33-13 Australia (Caleb Clarke, 65 minutes)
09:36 , Harry Latham-Coyle
This one will count!
Is that it for Australia’s hopes? The All Blacks’ new playmaking pair pull the strings perfectly, Beauden Barrett and Damian McKenzie in harness as they stress test the defensive line. The fissure appears wide on the outside and McKenzie’s injection of pace draws the final defender, affording the impressive Caleb Clarke the space he needs to thunder to the line.
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New Zealand 26-13 Australia, 64 minutes
09:35 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Changes on both sides: Cortez Ratima and Damian McKenzie are on in the halves for New Zealand as Beauden Barrett slides to full-back, while Josh Flook is on in the Wallabies backline.
NO TRY! New Zealand 26-13 Australia, 61 minutes
09:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle
The All Blacks assert their ascendancy! Or do they? The TMO may have spotted a knock on…and it is clear on the replay! In fact, there are two in quick succession as first Codie Taylor and then Sam Cane fumble. Try chalked off, Wallabies scrum.
New Zealand 26-13 Australia, 60 minutes
09:29 , Harry Latham-Coyle
No try yet, but another penalty and a warning for Wallabies skipper Harry Wilson. The next man pinged will be sent for a ten-minute sin bin sit down, referee Nika Amashukeli cautions.
Australia throw on reinforcements: Langi Gleeson, Tate McDermott and Isaac Kailea are introducted.
New Zealand 26-13 Australia, 59 minutes
09:28 , Harry Latham-Coyle
A soft penalty to New Zealand affords the hosts the opportunity to make easy advancement down the right touchline. Another try here might just kill the contest off.
New Zealand 26-13 Australia, 58 minutes
09:26 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Lukhan Salakaia-Loto was very good off the pine last week and Joe Schmidt turns to his replacement lock here after the latest lineout mishap. Can he inspire another stirring Australian fightback?
TRY! NEW ZEALAND 26-13 Australia (Tamaiti Williams, 56 minutes)
09:23 , Harry Latham-Coyle
And the mighty Tamaiti Williams ensures they do so again!
Too much power from the replacement prop, bashing the front door down after his forward cohort had beaten it virtually off its hinges. A simple conversion from Beauden Barrett and the All Blacks have opened up their first significant lead of the evening in Wellington.
New Zealand 19-13 Australia, 55 minutes
09:22 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Australia deal with the maul threat but as New Zealand explore the fringes, the visitors are penalised again. The All Blacks usually make the most of this sort of situation…
New Zealand 19-13 Australia, 53 minutes
09:21 , Harry Latham-Coyle
A half-charged down clearing kick from Australia briefly causes chaos in the New Zealand backfield…but Will Jordan, as ever, has the cool hands and calm head to collect and turn the situation to his advantage, surging into space!
Into the 22 he goes, and New Zealand are awarded a penalty. Beauden Barrett prods it to the corner.
New Zealand 19-13 Australia, 52 minutes
09:19 , Harry Latham-Coyle
But after 14 phases, a Sam Cane offload is knocked on by Rieko Ioane as the centre tries to gather at his shoelaces.
A change in the New Zealand front row: Ethan de Groot off, Tamaiti Williams on.
New Zealand 19-13 Australia, 51 minutes
09:18 , Harry Latham-Coyle
New Zealand play with patience and poise on halfway, picking their moment. Codie Taylor provides momentum with a rumble up the right touchline, and sharp handling from Wallace Sititi and Ardie Savea keeps the movement rolling as the phase count goes into double figures.
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New Zealand 19-13 Australia, 49 minutes
09:17 , Harry Latham-Coyle
That Australia lineout is beginning to wobble again, as it did last week. New Zealand win the ball in the air again as Matt Faessler’s throw goes awry.
That’s Faessler’s last act, with Brandon Paenga-Amosa replacing him. The opportunity to make the change comes courtesy of an overly-hasty TJ Perenara, who fumbles his own quick tap in a slightly embarrasing manner. He attempts to blame referee Nika Amashukeli for obstruction, but the official gives him short shrift: “I was stood over here, and you took it there,” he snaps back at the moaning scrum half.
New Zealand 19-13 Australia, 47 minutes
09:14 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Excellent defensive scrambling again from Australia, TJ Perenara stripped of possession after the scrum half surges into the 22. After the All Blacks steal a lineout, Fraser McReight makes sure of no progress by forcing Beauden Barrett to go off his feet in a hurried clearout of the contesting flanker.
New Zealand 19-13 Australia, 46 minutes
09:13 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Will Jordan is almost granted a golden opportunity for a try, Dylan Pietsch trying to kick past the All Blacks full-back but watching it bury in his midriff. There’s just about enough cover from Tom Wright to prevent Jordan from galloping into the corner, and the rest of the Australia backfield scrambles well to watch Jordan’s own kick tumble into touch in goal.
New Zealand 19-13 Australia, 44 minutes
09:10 , Harry Latham-Coyle
A clever bit of play from Jake Gordon, making totally certain that Will Jordan does not take a Beauden Barrett chip with a well-timed, just about legal nudge of the chasing full-back.
Taniela Tupou’s race is, unfortunately, finally run. Allan Alaalatoa replaces him in the Wallabies’ front row.
New Zealand 19-13 Australia, 42 minutes
09:08 , Harry Latham-Coyle
The second half starts as the first did: Taniela Tupou receives treatment after taking a bang to shoulder, the prop having made an incredible recovery having appeared to have suffered a bad knee injury in the opening minute. The strapping is gone from his leg now, too – you do wonder if any damage was done but this has been some effort from the Australia tighthead.
That shoulder seems fine. Australia clear their lines from a relatively solid scrum.
Second half…
09:07 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Back underway at Sky Stadium.
HT: New Zealand 19-13 Australia
08:54 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Fun stuff in Wellington. Australia got the fast start they so wanted, flying out of the blocks through Fraser McReight, but the All Blacks have settled in after a shaky opening to pinch the lead after the half-time hooter. It’s been frantic, physical and funky, and there’s 40 minutes more to come.
HALF TIME: New Zealand 19-13 Australia
08:51 , Harry Latham-Coyle
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TRY! NEW ZEALAND 19-13 Australia (Caleb Clarke, 41 minutes)
08:49 , Harry Latham-Coyle
The gamble pays off! An unconventional route to the line but the All Blacks have the try they desired to head down the tunnel with the lead!
The maul was illegally felled by Australia, but the Wallabies looked to have scrambled well to prevent Will Jordan and co. capitalising on the right. Sevu Reece looked to be going nowhere as he crabbed infield in search of space, and Beauden Barrett likewise as he picked up possession.
But this side just has a habit of finding an opening, and it’s that man Caleb Clarke again who provides the impetus. The wing holds his depth as he provides his playmaker with an onrushing option, taking Barrett’s flat flick and bursting between a couple of tacklers. Underneath the posts he dots it down and off the All Blacks trot with a smile and a six-point advantage.
New Zealand 12-13 Australia, 39 minutes
08:48 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Australia are offside and fail to roll away. New Zealand have their pick of the penalties – points or corner? The latter! Bold and brave but Scott Barrett trusts Codie Taylor and the lineout operation.
The captain calls it to himself and the All Blacks maul towards the line…
New Zealand 12-13 Australia, 38 minutes
08:46 , Harry Latham-Coyle
The Wallabies kill a minute of clock with a meander on their own 22 a they try to run down time towards the interval. They have to kick long eventually, though, and here come the All Blacks, Caleb Clarke like a locomotive as he chugs up to speed out of the station. He’s not halted until the Wallabies’ 22 has been breached.
PENALTY! New Zealand 12-13 AUSTRALIA (Noah Lolesio, 37 minutes)
08:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Noah’s arc is accurate – the Wallabies nudge back in front.
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New Zealand 12-10 Australia, 36 minutes
08:44 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Held up! Fraser McReight is half-a-foot from a second score but the openside is turtled as he topples over the line, and he can’t contort himself to force to floor.
Back for the penalty, and surely another three points. Yep, Noah Lolesio calls on the tee.
New Zealand 12-10 Australia, 35 minutes
08:43 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Two penalty advantages for Australia with New Zealand picked up for an offside and a Sam Cane tackle off the ball. That grants the Wallabies some freedom, and Tom Wright spreads it nicely to Dylan Pietsch, dynamic and direct as he darts inward. This is looking promising…
New Zealand 12-10 Australia, 33 minutes
08:42 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Australia score the first real point at scrum-time, Angus Bell forcing Tyrel Lomax back on the loosehead side as Taniela Tupou anchors on the tight. Nika Amashukeli initially urges the Wallabies to use it but the referee subsequently pings the All Blacks for disengaging. Down towards New Zealand’s 22 Australia kick.
New Zealand 12-10 Australia, 31 minutes
08:39 , Harry Latham-Coyle
There has been real physicality about this opening half-hour, and none of the attacking enthusiasm from Australia has waned. Tom Wright sparks something from deep with delicious footwork but his pass at the end of his gambol is rather less pretty, wayward and skipping out of play.
It’s been an entertaining start in Wellington (Getty Images)
New Zealand 12-10 Australia, 30 minutes
08:37 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Barrett misses touch with the penalty, anyway, as Dylan Pietsch cleverly leaps to keep the ball in play. Codie Taylor will instead throw a lineout from level with where Barrett kicked after Pietsch’s solid clearance.
New Zealand 12-10 Australia, 29 minutes
08:37 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Beauden Barrett picks his runners out of the All Blacks line, hoping that the forwards can punch through. When they fail to, it’s wider they go, Rieko Ioane and Sevu Reece combining for a half-break before the latter’s untimely slip.
A penalty to New Zealand, though Len Ikitau is down and in pain after copping a stray arm to the face from Barrett. Will the TMO have a look? Barrett had chipped and chased and not quite got there, and it appears his actions have been deemed legal.
New Zealand 12-10 Australia, 26 minutes
08:33 , Harry Latham-Coyle
A strong defensive set from New Zealand to back that try up. Australia work through 14 phases but gain all of five metres, with Taniela Tupou eventually bundled into touch as he tries to plow over Rieko Ioane and Sevu Reece.
TRY! NEW ZEALAND 12-10 Australia (Will Jordan, 23 minutes)
08:29 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Scintillating from Will Jordan!
He really is some finisher. There appears little on as an arriving Jordan is tossed a somewhat aimless pass by Beauden Barrett at the line, but the full-back, as he always seems to, apparates into space, two steps off his left foot taking him past a clutching Harry Wilson and Fraser McReight.
From there, it’s academic: 35 tries in 37 Tests for a remarkable player.
New Zealand 5-10 Australia, 21 minutes
08:28 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Wallace Sititi was a menace to Australia’s lineout last week and he’s back again to cause problems this, the springy six up at the front to prevent Australia setting a platform. In the visitors’ next attacking movement, Tyrel Lomax wins a breakdown penalty as the All Blacks just begin to stabilise themselves defensively.
PENALTY! New Zealand 5-10 AUSTRALIA (Noah Lolesio, 19 minutes)
08:26 , Harry Latham-Coyle
And Noah Lolesio is on the money as Australia extend their advantage.
New Zealand 5-7 Australia, 18 minutes
08:26 , Harry Latham-Coyle
But that’s a coach-killer from the All Blacks. Straight from the restart, a bionic Taniela Tupou somehow latches over the top of a ruck and draws a penalty for Australia. This is remarkable from Tupou, who looked to be done for the day with that knee issue inside 60 seconds.
This time, Australia will kick for goal.
TRY! NEW ZEALAND 5-7 Australia (Sevu Reece, 16 minutes)
08:23 , Harry Latham-Coyle
What a way to answer! Vintage All Blacks!
Ardie Savea poaches posession just inside his own half, and then it is all about the work of his back row chum Wallace Sititi. We haven’t seen too much of the young blindside as a pure carrier in his breakthrough campaign but he shows off some of the skills that so caught the eye for the Chiefs in Super Rugby, a vicious in-to-out move breaking the ankles of poor Matt Faessler, exposed in a bit of space.
Through a gap Sititi rushes with Anton Lienert-Brown providing good support. Lienert-Brown has a pick of two men outside him and elects for the quicker of them – Sevu Reece has enough toe to outrun Len Ikitau to the corner.
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New Zealand 0-7 Australia, 14 minutes
08:22 , Harry Latham-Coyle
A midfield misfire ends that Australian adventure and the All Blacks show off their attacking range for the first time, testing the edges with Beauden Barrett and Will Jordan alternating at first receiver. But Fraser McReight shows his breakdown expertise, timing his contest perfectly after a tough tackle from captain Harry Wilson grants the openside the ruck carrion he loves to feast upon.
New Zealand 0-7 Australia, 11 minutes
08:20 , Harry Latham-Coyle
All the while, Taniela Tupou has somehow managed to lumber on, the tighthead again performing his duties admirably at the first New Zealand scrum. Will Jordan’s kick travels out of play before wing Caleb Clarke can reel it in.
And the All Blacks are on the wrong side of the officials in these early skirmishes. Sam Cane is slightly harshly penalised having appeared to have got his jackal spot on, grating the Wallabies another chance to enter New Zealand territory.
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New Zealand 0-7 Australia, 9 minutes
08:17 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Nearly something sensational! Boy, are Australia up for it or what? Insipid in the first quarter a week ago, they are running everything here, going from inside their own 22 and cutting New Zealand open. Only an errant, forward pass from Noah Lolesio prevents a promising attack from continuing from coast to coast.
TRY! New Zealand 0-7 AUSTRALIA (Fraser McReight, 8 minutes)
08:15 , Harry Latham-Coyle
And there it is! Fraser McReight finds a sliver of space to lunge to the line!
The pressure had built and built but it took the clever openside to find the score. McReight had looked a little upright in the carry but he used his deceptive strength to shake his limbs free, enabling him to find a gap between All Black limbs to touch down. Noah Lolesio converts impressively from the left – what a start from the Wallabies!
New Zealand 0-0 Australia, 7 minutes
08:14 , Harry Latham-Coyle
A strong one-on-one tackle from Caleb Clarke and back to the penalty again they come. This time, Australia tap and go quickly as they seek to convert their early dominance into a try.
New Zealand 0-0 Australia, 6 minutes
08:13 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Matt Faessler hits the mark and into the drive Australia launch. It runs aground, but a darting Faessler keeps the move alive. Another penalty advantage is coming.
New Zealand 0-0 Australia, 5 minutes
08:12 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Ardie Savea stalls some momentum with a Herculean heave of a carrier back towards the 22-metre line, and Nika Amashukeli brings the players back for the penalty. Corner or posts? The Wallabies opt for the aggressive choice, turning down points and kicking for a five-metre lineout.
New Zealand 0-0 Australia, 4 minutes
08:11 , Harry Latham-Coyle
This is a good start from Australia. Large lock Jeremy Williams spins out of a tackle before Rob Valetini and Dylan Pietsch show well in the carry. Penalty advantage is coming as Taniela Tupou lumps to within six metres of the New Zealand line.
New Zealand 0-0 Australia, 3 minutes
08:10 , Harry Latham-Coyle
The first attempt to set the scrum goes down immediately, Tupou kicking his leg to try and get the movement back. Referee Nika Amashukeli swaps over to his side, suspecting that it may be where the problem comes as they engage again.
Tupou is steady and off Australia go! A canny switch-back play to the blindside sends Andrew Kellaway sprinting into space, and have they managed to score? No, knocked on! Kellaway’s toe ahead was fumbled back by a sliding Beauden Barrett but Jake Gordon couldn’t gather clenaly with the line at his mercy!
New Zealand 0-0 Australia, 2 minutes
08:08 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Tupou tests the flexion in the joint, strugging to bear his (quite considerable) weight. But he’s going to try to soldier on – out comes the strapping to try and help him continue.
It will be a scrum to restart, which will test just how ready that knee is.
New Zealand 0-0 Australia, 1 minute
08:07 , Harry Latham-Coyle
A competent first take in the air from Tom Wright as TJ Perenara tests the Australia backfield with a high box kick. The Wallabies look to play on halfway, Rob Valetini coralled by Sam Cane…oh no! Taniela Tupou is down and in severe discomfort inside a minute!
The Australia prop looks to have done his knee. On rush a couple of medics.
KICK OFF!
08:05 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Here we go. The Bledisloe Cup will be staying in New Zealand’s hands for another year but Australia have genuine belief they can upset the All Blacks at a ground where the hosts have a horrible recent record.
The penultimate match of the 2024 Rugby Championship is underway!
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New Zealand vs Australia
08:03 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Two very pleasant anthems, and time for the Haka. It’s led by TJ Perenara for the final time on home soil, the scrum half at a ground he has called home at provincial and Super Rugby level for nearly 15 years. He gives it typical gusto as he and the rest of the All Blacks lay the challenge down.
New Zealand vs Australia
07:58 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Leading the All Blacks out on cap number 100 is Sam Cane, welcomed with a grand reception. He’s the 13th New Zealand player to bring up a ton – his Test career may be nearing an end but what a servant the flanker has been.
(REUTERS)
New Zealand vs Australia
07:57 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Harry Wilson leads the Wallabies out. We’re pretty used to seeing empty seats at the capacious Sky Stadium, with the Wellington public not necessarily the most ardent of All Black fans, but the place is sold out tonight and (aside from a few latecomers) already nearly full to the rafters.
New Zealand vs Australia match officials
07:52 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Geo)
ARs: Karl Dickson (Eng) & Damian Schneider (Arg)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (Fra)
Georgian referee Nika Amashukeli, right, is in charge today (PA Wire)
Battle of blindsides could be key
07:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Wallace Sititi has been the find of New Zealand’s season so far, the Chiefs youngster providing real lineout excellence and graft around the park. The springy Sititi put all sorts of pressure on the Wallabies’ throw and was also very impressive against South Africa earlier in the Rugby Championship. How Scott Robertson reshapes his back row once Sam Cane departs at the end of the year will be intriguing – Dalton Papali’i could come back in on the openside, but Sititi looks certain to stay part of the trio alongside Ardie Savea.
He is in direct head-to-head with one of Australia’s best and brightest throughout the rollercoaster of the last couple of years. Rob Valetini seldom takes a backward step, and there is a sense he has been somewhat underrated amid the doom and gloom surrounding Australian rugby. Their battle could be fun today.
Wallace Sititi challenge the Australian lineout consistently in Sydney (Getty Images)
No glass half full for Joe Schmidt
07:25 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Joe Schmidt was not buying into any great feeling of optimism after his Wallabies team fought their way back from 21-0 down to give the All Blacks a fright last week.
The 31-28 defeat ended Australian hopes of wresting back the Bledisloe Cup from the All Blacks and, combined with Fiji’s later win over Japan in Osaka, saw the Wallabies drop to 10th in the world rankings.
New Zealander Schmidt was asked in his press conference whether Australia’s rally to within four points of a shock win had left his glass half full, or half empty.
“There’s not a lot of water in the glass,” he quipped. “You know, you lose a Test match. So for us there’s things that we’ve got to learn from. We can’t finish a close second.
“There’s some things to be proud about around building our way back into the game. But giving a New Zealand side a start like that, it’s too tough to overcome that, albeit that almost did happen at the finish.”
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Scott Robertson explains Beauden Barrett selection
07:15 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Beauden Barrett was a late scratch from the All Blacks side in Sydney after falling unwell, but the veteran playmaker is back and re-taking the fly half shirt this week with Damian McKenzie left out for the first time under Scott Robertson.
“We were always planning to give Beauden a go,” head coach Robertson explained this week. “We’ve got to give guys opportunities and build depth in our team and it’s a nice chance for Beauden to play outside TJ, they’ve got a combination, they’ve played a lot of games together so it lines up nicely.
“(Beauden)’s a great conductor. He’ll get you around the field. Obviously, the boot’s been impeccable over his career, and he needs to own this opportunity and put a bit of heat on us to make sure that we’ve got two world class 10s.”
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Team news – Australia
07:05 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Wing Marika Koroibete is ruled out with a wrist issue for the Wallabies as Joe Schmidt hands Dylan Pietsch a start in the back three. Jake Gordon takes the place of scrum half Nic White but Schmidt keeps continuity in the forwards, naming an unchanged starting pack for the first time in his tenure.
Australia XV: 1 Angus Bell, 2 Matt Faessler, 3 Taniela Tupou; 4 Nick Frost, 5 Jeremy Williams; 6 Rob Valetini, 7 Fraser McReight, 8 Harry Wilson (capt.); 9 Jake Gordon, 10 Noah Lolesio; 11 Dylan Pietsch, 12 Hunter Paisami, 13 Len Ikitau, 14 Andrew Kellaway; 15 Tom Wright
Replacements: 16 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 17 Isaac Kailea, 18 Allan Alaalatoa, 19 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 20 Langi Gleeson; 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Ben Donaldson, 23 Josh Flook.
Team news – New Zealand
07:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Damian McKenzie has been left out of New Zealand’s starting side, with Beauden Barrett back after illness to start at fly half. Sam Cane wins his 100th cap for the All Blacks on the openside, with experienced scrum half TJ Perenara also handed a start in his final Test on home soil before departing for Japan at the end of the year. Anton Lienert-Brown is the beneficiary of Jordie Barrett’s knee injury in midfield.
New Zealand XV: 1 Ethan de Groot, 2 Codie Taylor, 3 Tyrel Lomax; 4 Scott Barrett (capt.), 5 Tupou Vaa’i; 6 Wallace Sititi, 7 Sam Cane, 8 Ardie Savea; 9 TJ Perenara, 10 Beauden Barrett; 11 Caleb Clarke, 12 Anton Lienert-Brown, 13 Rieko Ioane, 14 Sevu Reece; 15 Will Jordan.
Replacements: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Tamaiti Williams, 18 Pasilio Tosi, 19 Patrick Tuipulotu, 20 Luke Jacobson; 21 Cortez Ratima, 22 Damian McKenzie, 23 David Havili.
Jordie Barrett to miss second All Blacks clash with Australia after knee ligament injury
06:55 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Centre Jordie Barrett could be a doubt for New Zealand’s autumn Tests against England and Ireland after suffering a knee injury.
Barrett will miss the All Blacks’ Rugby Championship finale against Australia in Wellington today.
He was hurt during a 31-28 victory over the Wallabies last weekend, and New Zealand Rugby has confirmed a medial collateral ligament injury, adding that Barrett will be reassessed before the northern hemisphere tour.
New Zealand tackle England at the Allianz Stadium, Twickenham on November 2 before a Dublin appointment with Ireland six days later.
Barrett is due to link up with Leinster after the tour on a short-term deal.
It was announced in April that Barrett had exercised an option to play overseas after agreeing a new contract with New Zealand Rugby that will run beyond the 2027 World Cup.
Jordie Barrett to miss second All Blacks clash with Australia after knee injury
Sam Cane recalls Springbok kindness ahead of 100th Test
06:40 , Harry Latham-Coyle
All Blacks flanker Sam Cane has enjoyed many a ferocious battle with the Springboks over his 12-year international career but he also recalled a memorable act of kindness from the South Africans in the lead-up to his 100th test.
The former New Zealand captain will reach the milestone against Australia on Saturday, having enjoyed an unlikely extension to his test career despite moving to Japanese club rugby in the wake of last year’s World Cup.
Cane was sent off as New Zealand lost to South Africa in the final of that tournament in France, one of a series of setbacks he has endured during his career.
Another was a serious neck injury he suffered against the Springboks in Pretoria in 2018 and the response of South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus as well as a couple of players has clearly stayed with him.
“The day after I had surgery and Rassie, Francois Louw and Jesse Kriel, all on separate occasions, made the visit to the hospital,” the 32-year-old said.
“But the truth is, I was in such a dazed state post-surgery that unfortunately I can only remember dribs and drabs of the conversation and their presence.
“It speaks volumes of all three of those men to take time out of their day to come to the hospital and find me. It’s something I will never forget and I’m hugely appreciative of it.”
(AFP via Getty Images)
New Zealand hoping to correct concerning trend
06:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle
New Zealand secured custody of the Bledisloe Cup for another year with their 31-28 win over the Wallabies in Sydney last week but Australia’s fightback to within three points exposed their struggles to close out games this year.
Their bid for a 21st Rugby Championship title might still be alive had they managed to defend a 27-17 lead with 11 minutes to go in the first of their two recent losses to world champions South Africa.
Once famous for their ability to score late to win close contests, the All Blacks have not put a single point on the board in the last 20 minutes of any of their five tests in the tournament this season.
“We’ve talked about the accuracy and the discipline and the experience of the group that are coming on (from the bench),” coach Scott Robertson said after naming his team on Thursday.
“At the end of the day, you just focus on what you need to do … focus on solutions around it, we train it and get on with it.”
Strong, silent type Harry Wilson warming to Wallabies captaincy
06:15 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Harry Wilson was a surprise choice as Wallabies skipper but the big loose forward feels he is growing into the role as he prepares to lead Australia out for the fourth time in Wellington on Saturday.
The Australia captaincy has been a revolving door over the last two seasons with Eddie Jones naming six skippers in 2023 and Joe Schmidt four in eight tests so far in the 2024 campaign.
Number eight Wilson was first handed the captaincy for the Rugby Championship win over Argentina in La Plata and also led the team in their record 67-27 loss to the Pumas a week later.
A similar drubbing looked on the cards when the All Blacks scored three tries in the first 16 minutes of last week’s Sydney clash but a second-half revival saw the Wallabies almost pull off a stunning win.
The nature of that 31-28 defeat has given Australia some confidence that they can beat the All Blacks in New Zealand for the first time since 2001 in the return match.
Wilson said he was becoming more comfortable in the captaincy game-by-game, even if he leaves the passionate team talks to more experienced players in the leadership group.
“I’m not the biggest talker in the team,” the amiable 24-year-old told reporters on Friday.
“There’s a lot of boys who I lean on there, I guess I talk a bit more before kickoff and just make sure we go out there and nail our role.
“I just want to lead by example on the field and I feel as if that’s what any captain should do. I need to go out there and perform.”
(Getty Images)
Rugby Championship permutations: What do South Africa and Argentina need in final round to win title?
05:59 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Australia and New Zealand are out of the chase for the Rugby Championship crown, which will be decided later on Saturday when the Springboks host Argentina in Mbombela. Here are the permutations you need to know.
Rugby Championship permutations: What South Africa and Argentina need in final round?
New Zealand vs Australia LIVE
Friday 27 September 2024 16:40 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Good morning and welcome to The Independent’s LIVE coverage of the final day of the 2024 Rugby Championship. We begin in Wellington with the second of back-to-back Bledisloe Cup clashes between New Zealand and Australia – the trans-Tasman trophy will remain in All Black hands after Scott Robertson’s side survived a thrilling comeback from the hosts in Sydney.
But their superb second-half performance showed the fighting qualities that the Wallabies still possess, and they’ll be out to showcase their quality again. Kick off in Wellington is at 8.05am BST.
(Getty Images)
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