Wallabies end losing run against All Blacks
brisbane — Australia produced a performance of huge character to beat New Zealand 23-18 and secure their first victory over the world champions in eight Tests after a thunderous scrap of a third Bledisloe Cup clash.
The match was a dead rubber after New Zealand beat Australia twice in the Rugby Championship but it looked anything but that as the two sides slugged it out on a surface made greasy by persistent rain.
Australia put the world champions under a lot of pressure and scored three tries to the two of their opponents before defending desperately in the final minutes as the All Blacks threatened a late winning try. “Overwhelming sense of satisfaction,” Australia captain Michael Hooper said.
“We didn’t win any comps tonight but it goes a long way to building confidence.”
Tries from wingers Reece Hodge and Marika Koroibete as well as a 12th of the season from fullback Israel Folau had given the home side a 20-13 lead with 15 minutes of the match remaining.
Waisake Naholo had crossed in the first half for the New Zealanders and his fellow winger Rieko Ioane got their second in the 71st minute only for Damian McKenzie to miss the conversion.
A 55-metre Hodge penalty two minutes from time gave the Wallabies some breathing space but they have lost so many contests to their trans-Tasman Sea rivals at the death that it was with immense relief that they greeted the final whistle. “Two quality teams really put it in,” New Zealand captain Kieran Read said.
Australia came into the match confident of a good showing against a New Zealand team without World Rugby Players of the Year Beauden Barrett and Brodie Retallick. The visitors had the better of the early exchanges, though, and were pressing for the opening score when Hodge snatched Sopoaga’s pass out of the air and raced 80 metres for a Wallabies try in the seventh minute. —