NZ, Australia draw in 1st Bledisloe Cup test
South Sydney sink Parramatta in NRL
WELLINGTON, New Zealand, Oct 11, (AP): Reece Hodge hit the post with a long-range penalty after the full-time siren and both teams had winning chances in almost nine minutes of added time before New Zealand and Australia drew 16-16 in a Bledisloe Cup rugby test played in front of more than 30,000 fans at Wellington’s regional stadium.
Wallabies replacement Hodge lined up the posts from 58 meters in the 82 minute and with a powerful wind at his back, struck a soaring kick which hit high up on the upright, bouncing back into play.
A long series of turnovers kept the match alive for almost seven minutes more with first New Zealand, then Australia threatening the other’s line. But neither were able to break a deadlock which had existed from the 77th minutes when All Blacks fullback Jordie Barrett kicked a penalty to make the score 16-16.
New Zealand relied on their counterattacking ability to lead 8-3 at halftime and 13-3 after 43 minutes with tries to Barrett and Aaron Smith. Australia hit back with tries to both wingers, Marika Koroibete, then Filipo Daugunu on debut. Flyhalf James O’Connor kicked a penalty that gave the Wallabies the lead for the first time at 16-13 after 73 minutes but New Zealand replied soon after through Barrett.
A match which didn’t rise to great heights in normal time, partly because of a swirling wind and heavy rain that fell through the second life, came alive after the final siren and Hodge’s narrow miss left his teammates with their heads in their hands.
The Wallabies had started heavy underdogs but outplayed the All Blacks, especially in the first half when they faced the wind but kept New Zealand pinned in their own half.
The test was a rare delicacy for rugby fans in the COVID-19 era; the first to be played anywhere in the world since the Six Nations in March and the first in New Zealand for 400 days.
Both teams were playing under new head coaches, Dave Rennie for Australia and Ian Foster for New Zealand, but neither was able to launch his international career with a win.
In Sydney, South Sydney overcame an 18-8 halftime deficit to beat Parramatta 38-24 and advance to the National Rugby League semifinals.
Before the match, the Eels were rocked by news that former test and State of Origin center Michael Jennings had failed a drug test and would be provisionally suspended under the NRL’s anti-doping policy.