RUTHLESS ALL BLACKS WALLOP WALLABIES
THE All Blacks have once again put the Wallabies to the sword to draw first blood in the 2018 Bledisloe Cup series with a crushing 38-13 victory at ANZ Stadium.
Five All Blacks second-half tries stunned the Wallabies, who now face the prospect of needing to win in Auckland next Saturday to prevent the trophy staying in New Zealand for a 16th straight year.
Compounding Australia’s pain was a leg injury to fullback Israel Folau, who hobbled off after 65 minutes.
The Wallabies suffered a setback even before the kickoff, with prop Taniela Tupou ruled out after straining his hamstring, replaced by uncapped Melbourne Rebel Jermaine Ainsley.
The All Blacks suffered their own first-half blow, with centre Ryan Crotty concussed in the 13th minute.
Australia’s set piece looked shaky early, with the Wallabies losing their first two lineouts and collapsing the opening scrum of the night.
But after steadying, the Wallabies dominated much of the first half through stern defence, with penalty goals earning the hosts a well-deserved 6-0 lead.
The Wallabies were 90 seconds away from keeping the All Blacks scoreless in the opening half before halfback Aaron Smith crossed just before the interval.
Despite the late lapse, Michael Cheika’s men enjoyed a 6-5 advantage at the break.
But the match turned with two signature All Blacks strikes early in the second stanza.
First, Jack Goodhue finished off an 85m counter-attack, then Beauden Barrett showcased his soccer skills to score a telling opportunistic try nine minutes later to suddenly leave the world champions 19-6 clear. It was all over when man-of-the-match Brodie Retallick crossed to make it 26-6.
The highlight of an otherwise forgettable night for Wallabies fans was a try on debut for young gun Jack Maddocks, a second-half replacement for winger Dane Haylett-Petty.