Match action - starts
Still winning: South Africa’s Elton Jantjes and Eben Etzebeth congratulate Cobus Reinach for scoring against Argentina
IAN FOSTER’S All Blacks secured the Bledisloe Cup for a 19th straight year as they thrashed their arch rivals at Eden Park.
The home side’s tally of 57 points with eight tries was the most the All Blacks had scored against the Wallabies, surpassing their previous record of 54 in 2017.
The match was played in front of a half empty crowd at New Zealand’s national stadium as only 25,121 fans were in attendance at the 50,000 seater.
The All Blacks’ immense dominance of the fixture has made it a one-sided affair in recent history and the lack of supporters in attendance suggest they have become disengaged with the fixture.
New Zealand haven’t tasted defeat since 1994 at Eden Park when France upset them 22-8.
Tickets were priced between $NZ80 (£40.64), and $NZ220 (£111.76).
The All Blacks got off to a flyer after only three minutes when Noah Lolesio’s pass was intercepted by Rieko Ioane who raced over from his own 22 to open the scoring.
The Wallabies hit back when Andrew Kellaway continued his fine form with a beautiful step to get round Damian McKenzie to finish in the corner, after being picked out by a precise crossfield kick from Lolesio.
But the home side went coast to coast in classic All Black fashion as the two Ioane brothers combined for an emphatic line break, with the ball eventually finding Brodie Retallick and the second row went under the posts.
The Wallabies replied with a penalty from Lolesio as the visitors enjoyed some territory inside the All Blacks 22.
No.8 Ardie Savea scored his 13th try for the All Blacks as he powered over with an excellent leg drive from close range to extend
their lead to 13 points.
Tate McDermott reduced the deficit off a scrum as he stepped back inside the All Blacks defence to go over under the posts for a converted try on the stroke of half time.
Shortly after half-time, Savea was sent to the sin bin for being off his feet, after the All Blacks were warned by referee Brendon Pickerill that the next to commit an offence in the opposing 22 would be carded.
Despite being a man down, the All Blacks scored another breakaway try as recent centurion
Aaron Smith took a quick tap, raced away and found his hooker Codie Taylor who went over for a converted try.
McKenzie got in on the action with a mammoth penalty kick from halfway to enhance the home side’s lead.
The All Blacks began to run away with the contest, securing their four-try bonus point with another interception try, this time by speedy winger Sevu Reece who read the play brilliantly to score under the posts.
Taylor went over once more as he was picked out by Smith.
Will Jordan secured the half century with his tenth try for the All Blacks in just six games, finishing with blistering pace after an excellent carry and pass from Savea.
Tom Banks produced a great looping pass to find winger Kellaway and he dived over for a late consolation score.
David Havili sealed the victory with a try after the hooter, assisted by an excellent chip and chase from Jordan.
The two sides next meet at Optus Stadium in Perth on August 28, in the second round of the Rugby Championship. really easy to be a part of this team.
“Australia made it tough for us as they never throw in the towel.”
Wallaby captain Michael Hooper said: “New Zealand were so strong tonight and put us under the pump with a really good 80 minute performance.
“We didn’t capitalise at the start of the second half when they went down to 14.
“But we fronted up physically tonight and we’ve got another crack at New Zealand in two weeks’ time, so we’re licking our lips for that.”