New Zealand v Australia

OCTOBER 27 // NISSAN STADIUM, YOKOHAMA NEW ZEALAND 37 – AUSTRALIA 20

Build Up Fast Facts

✪ There were endless reports that Wallabies coach and other members of his sta• were all clinging on to their jobs and that only a victory would save some of his assistants.

✪ The All Blacks stressed their desire to win the series 3-0 and warned everyone that the Wallabies had won the corresponding fixture the year before.

✪ The All Blacks were able to bing back from injury Joe Moody, Brodie Retallick and Liam Squire and they introduced Damian McKenzie at fullback to give them a second play-maker.

The Game Fast Facts

✪ The All Blacks played a controlled, more disciplined game where they were deliberately trying to slow things down ahead of playing England and Ireland.

✪ They scrummaged for penalties, drove the lineout more and were willing to pick and drive through the middle with the forwards to keep the Wallabies going backwards.

✪ They built the pressure slowly but surely, forcing the Wallabies to take more risks to chase the game and when Israel Folau threw an o•-load straight to Ben Smith to make it 27-13, that was the Wallabies broken.

Star Players

✪ Beauden Barrett was a controlling and devastating influence with his kicking and running and Ben Smith was excellent every time he touched the ball. ✪ Ardie Savea got the better of David Pocock and Michael Hooper and never stopped running or fighting for the ball.