Stunning display from All Blacks as they claim the Bledisloe Cup with record
THE All Blacks claimed the Bledisloe Cup in stunning fashion, punishing the Wallabies 57-22 in a record Eden Park victory.
A gripping first-half contest went against Australia after the break in the Auckland rain, New Zealand running in four tries in a lethal 18-minute spell.
The All Blacks now have an unassailable 2-0 lead before the series concludes in Perth in a fortnight, and lengthens the Bledisloe Cup’s stay in New Zealand to 19 years.
David Havili’s 82nd-minute effort pushed New Zealand to their highest score against Australia in 118 years of Tests.
It could have been so different for Dave Rennie’s side, who were enterprising and physical in a pulsating first half.
At 21-15 at the break and with Ardie Savea in the bin, they will rue a wayward lineout deep in All Blacks territory.
Noah Lolesio threw the ball sraight to Rieko Ioane, who opened the try scoring by running 70m unchallenged. Lolesio made amends with a kick wide to Kellaway, who danced past Damian McKenzie to score.
However, sloppiness undid the Wallabies again, with Lachlan Swinton stripped by Richie Mo’unga during another Australian attack.
Five passes and 15 seconds later, Brodie Retallick had the ball over the try line as the All Blacks engine started to purr.
Brute All Blacks strength saw Savea score on 31 minutes, Mo’unga’s conversion pushing the score to 21-8 and giving the Wallabies a mountain to climb. They weren’t deterred, with the impressive Ben McDermott going over after a string of messy scrums right on the All Blacks tryline to reduce the deficit to six points.
After the break, though, quick thinking from Aaron Smith released Codie Taylor to score and the All Blacks didn’t look back. Sevu Reece claimed Matt To’ouma’s pass for a second intercept runaway try, and soon enough, the contest was over.
Taylor claimed a double and Will Jordan continued his fine try-scoring form as New Zealand hit 50 points. Kellaway’s consolation did little to spare Australian blushes, as Havili ran in to complete the rout and secure the record.
NEW ZEALAND: Tries: Ioane, Retallick, Savea, Taylor 2, Reece, Jordan, Havili; Pen: McKenzie; Cons: Mo’unga 5, B Barrett 2.
AUSTRALIA: Tries: Kellaway 2, McDermott; Pen: Lolesio; Cons: Lolesio 2.