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The Wallabies canceled a 10-point deficit in the second half when they played to a 16-16 draw against the All Blacks in Sunday’s drama-filled Bledisloe Test in Wellington. CRAIG LEWIS reports.
In the first test match since the Six Nations was called off more than six months ago, this was a game that almost had it all and produced one of the craziest endings of an international match.
After regulation time, Reece Hodge had a chance to win the game with a 60-meter penalty, with his long-range kick to goal that hit the right post and returned to play.
For a crazy final few minutes, the game progressed to the 89th minute. Yes, you read that correctly, the 89th minute!
With neither side willing to accept a draw, they just kept playing and playing and playing. He watched the game move from one half to the other, and both teams ultimately miss a chance to perhaps set up drop goals to win the match.
However, in the pouring rain, a draw was probably the right result.
SEND! Unreal scenes after the siren when Hodge hits the vertical in a possible game-winning penalty.#BledisloeCup #NZLvAUS pic.twitter.com/iyNDGJcySP
– 10 sports (@ 10SportAU) October 11, 2020
It has been almost exactly a year since the All Blacks and Wallabies were last in action at the 2019 World Cup, and in many ways it is the beginning of a new era for both teams under different head coaches.
At first, the Wallabies would have been the happier of the two sides, as they started the process determinedly and physically fit, but initially they were left to lament the inability to capitalize on the scoreboard, adding only a lone penalty in the first half.
And to be fair, the All Blacks were far from their clinical and fluid best, with the prominent ‘highlight’ of the first half where Jordie Barrett produced a shot on goal in a sweeping movement.
However, there was some controversy when it became clear that the referees had failed Rieko Ioane by placing her foot on the touchline in preparation for the try. However, depending on fate, Ioane then missed the ball landing in what should have been a safe attempt just before half-time.
The All Blacks made up for it when Aaron Smith scored a magnificent try in the 44th minute, but the Wallabies responded with a set-piece special shortly after for Marika Koroibete to score. It meant that only five points separated the teams heading into the fourth quarter.
Koroibete’s try also turned the momentum well in favor of the Wallabies, and with James O’Connor looking dangerous, the flyhalf worked his way into a good position before an opportunistic play set Filipo Daugunu up for a try that drew the fans. score level.
Not for the first time in the match, New Zealand was suddenly devoid of ideas, and in the 74th minute they would have to pay when O’Connor took a penalty and gave Australia the lead.
The drama continued as the All Blacks rejected a kickable penalty to set up a lineout at Australia’s 22nd field. From the maul of the lineout that followed, they won a penalty from the right in front of the posts, and Barrett duly knocked down the penalty to allow all the squares to coincide.
What followed could never be written, and the game went on and on, until both sides finally had to settle for a draw.
What a start to the second half! A set piece played to perfection and finished off by @Te_Nug.
Scroll to @skysportnz for a massive second half RN!
All Blacks 13 – 3 Australia#NZLvAUS #BledisloeCup pic.twitter.com/kmTnWsgi82
– All blacks (@AllBlacks) October 11, 2020
All the black people – Attempts: Jordie Barett, Aaron Smith. Penalties: Barrett (2).
Wallabies – Attempts: Marika Koroibete, Filipo Daugunu. Penalties: James O’Connor (2).
All the black people: 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Jordie Barrett, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Jack Goodhue, 11 George Bridge, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Ardie Savea, 7 Sam Cane (c), 6 Shannon Frizell, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu 3 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Joe Moody.
Subs: 16 Dane Coles, 17 Karl Tu’inukuafe, 18 Nepo Laulala, 19 Tupou Vaa’i, 20 Hoskins Sotutu, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Anton Lienert-Brown, 23 Caleb Clarke.
Wallabies: 15 Tom Banks, 14 Filipo Daugunu, 13 Hunter Paisami, 12 Matt To’omua, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 James O’Connor, 9 Nic White, 8 Pete Samu, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Harry Wilson, 5 Matt Philip, 4 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Sailors, 1 James Shoe.
Subs: 16 Jordan Uelese, 17 Scott Sio, 18 Allan Alaalatoa, 19 Rob Simmons, 20 Rob Valetini, 21 Jake Gordon, 22 Noah Lolesio, 23 Reece Hodge.
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