Brashna Kasi
Updated on: October 13, 2024 4:38 am GMT
In a tense encounter marked by dramatic turns, the New Zealand All Blacks pulled off a narrow 31-28 victory over Australia, securing the Bledisloe Cup for the 22nd consecutive year. The win, however, wasn’t without its challenges, as the Wallabies staged a fierce comeback after an abysmal start, leaving fans and players alike with mixed emotions about the match’s outcome.
Wallabies Out of the Blocks Slow
The match began in Sydney with the All Blacks asserting dominance right from the whistle. Within just 15 minutes, Australia found themselves 21-0 down, largely due to avoidable mistakes and poor defense. Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt expressed disappointment about the team’s slow start.
“We dug ourselves a hole early on with missed tackles and unforced errors,” Schmidt said.
Despite the rocky beginning, the Wallabies began to find their footing. They worked hard to claw back in the second half, scoring late tries that had fans on the edge of their seats.
Key Highlights from the Match
- New Zealand quickly reached 21 points with early tries from Will Jordan, Rieko Ioane, and Caleb Clarke.
- Fraser McReight scored Australia’s first try, reducing the deficit at 28-7.
- New Zealand’s talisman Ardie Savea answered back with a try, bringing the score to 31-7.
- Hunter Paisami and Tom Wright both scored late tries for the Wallabies.
All Blacks Maintain Control Despite Scare
Even though Australia showed grit and determination, New Zealand’s defense held firm in the waning moments of the match. New Zealand coach Scott Robertson acknowledged the scare but was pleased with the resilience his team exhibited.
“It’s great to find a way to win, especially in such a tight game,” Robertson said. “But it shows how challenging playing against any Australian team can be; they never back down.”
Despite finishing the match with only 13 players after two sin-binnings, the All Blacks managed to withstand the late pressure from Australia.
Stats Reflecting the Intensity
- Australia made twice as many tackles as New Zealand.
- The Wallabies lost the breakdown and lineout battles.
- Despite more efforts, Australia has only managed five points from five matches in the Rugby Championship.
All Blacks’ Late-Game Struggles
Despite the victory, a lingering concern for the All Blacks is their difficulty in finishing matches strong. This issue was highlighted during the match against Australia, as the team has yet to score in the final quarter of any match during the Rugby Championship, raising eyebrows about their performance.
Assistant coach Jason Ryan addressed this issue, noting that it’s been a persistent problem, especially for younger players new to Test rugby.
“It’s a concern for us, and we are entirely open about where we need to improve,” Ryan said. He emphasized the need to adapt both tactics and player selections to better handle the game’s closing moments.
Looking Ahead
With both teams set to meet again in Wellington next weekend, the stakes will be even higher. Fans can expect an exciting rematch as both teams will look to address their shortcomings.
In the wake of this latest clash, New Zealand has extended its winning streak over Australia to eight matches. However, their struggle to secure victories in the final moments of games will need to be addressed if they hope to maintain their winning form.
Conclusion
The exciting match between the All Blacks and the Wallabies showed just how intense rugby rivalries can be. While New Zealand is happily celebrating another win in the Bledisloe Cup, Australia’s strong effort suggests they can get better in future games. As both teams prepare for their next match in Wellington, fans can look forward to another thrilling part of this historic rivalry.
