Unfancied Wallabies force a draw in Bledisloe Cup thriller

AN inexperienced and unfancied Australia held their own against New Zealand to draw their first Bledisloe Cup match 16-16.

A frantic finish included a penalty from 55 metres which struck the post, and two drives to within five metres at either end after the siren.

The Wallabies, under new coach Dave Rennie, had four debutants and six players who had played fewer than 10 Tests, as they faced down their bitter rivals in Wellington.

Jordie Barrett found space in the overlap after nine minutes to open the scoring – though television replays suggested Rieko Ioane touched the chalk in the build-up which was not spotted by the referees.

A pair of penalties made the score 8-3, then Ioane – in the open and seemingly destined to score – failed to ground properly with the TMO spotting the slightest of gaps between his fingers and the ball.

The second try came for New Zealand just after the half when the All Blacks pulled off a slick move from a lineout which saw Aaron Smith scramble over the line.

But Australia were not done and staged a remarkable comeback as the rain fell at the Sky Stadium. A lineout move and a pinpoint pass from James O’connor put Marika Koroibete in and debutant Filipo Daugunu crossed on 63 minutes to level at 13-13.

O’connor, who struggled from the tee, was true with the boot with five minutes left as the Wallabies opened up a three-point lead.

Barrett levelled on 79 minutes, but Australia kept their hopes alive by winning the restart.

Reece Hodge was called upon at the death as the Wallabies were granted a 55-metre penalty to win the game but his kick came clanging back off the upright, and then the All Blacks went up the other end within metres of a gamewinning try, but Australia forced the turnover.