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The All Blacks recovered from their draw in the Bledisloe Cup with an emphatic 27-7 win over the Wallabies in Test 2 in Auckland on Sunday. DYLAN JACK reports.
The victory saw the All Blacks continue their undefeated streak at Eden Park, where they have not lost since 1994 and the Wallabies last tasted victory in 1986.
The All Blacks had come into the game looking for massive improvement and a response from their 16-16 draw in the first Test last Sunday, where the Wallabies were possibly unlucky not to have won.
As it stood, New Zealand gave themselves a mental boost going into the Rugby Championship when they cut swaths through a Wallabies defense that seemed unable to complete their tackles for the first time.
Defense was ultimately the difference between the two sides. The signs were there for the Wallabies when they missed 14 notable tackles in the first 18 minutes. Somehow the All Blacks only managed to score a try in the first half when Aaron Smith crossed the line after a 5-meter attacking scrum.
The Wallabies were able to enter halftime just three points behind after Marika Koroibete finished off an opening linebreak by Ned Hanigan, but the 10-7 score at halftime finally flattered the Australians.
However, the All Blacks were ruthless during the second half. Just two minutes after the break Jordie Barrett scored in the corner and from there the All Blacks took control of the game.
A special mention must go to Caleb Clarke, who shone in his first test outing for the New Zealanders. There were signs that he was replicating his Super Rugby Aotearoa form after he came off the bench last weekend, but he was outstanding in Auckland.
The 21-year-old was dominant with the ball in hand, seemingly beating a defender with every touch of the ball and played a huge role in the All Blacks’ third try, finished by Ardie Savea, with a powerful run from within. of his own half. His standing ovation when he was replaced was fully justified.
This is phenomenal.
Credit: @skysportnz #NZLvAUS #BledisloeCup pic.twitter.com/9rsZWO9JeZ
– All blacks (@AllBlacks) October 18, 2020
The Test match was finally decided when captain Sam Cane finished off another counter-attack opportunity, giving the Wallabies a mountain to climb with a 20-point deficit. It was notable that just prior to Cane’s attempt, the All Blacks had survived a period in their own testing line. An inning that saved Anton Lienert-Brown’s try ensured Koroibete came to a stop on the try line, before the TMO scored hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa’s try for a double move.
That period, between minutes 50 and 60, was a perfect summary of how the All Blacks won the big moments and ultimately outplayed their opponents.
All the black people – Attempts: Aaron Smith, Jordie Barrett, Ardie Savea, Sam Cane. Conversions: Richie Mo’unga (2). Penalty: Mo’unga.
Wallabies – Attempts: Marika Koroibete. Conversions: James O’Connor.
All the black people – 15 Beauden Barrett, 14 Jordie Barrett, 13 Anton Lienert-Brown, 12 Jack Goodhue, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Ardie Savea, 7 Sam Cane (c), 6 Shannon Frizell, 5 Tupou Vaa me, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu 3 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Joe Moody.
Subs: 16 Codie Taylor, 17 Alex Hodgman, Nepo Laulala, 19 Scott Barrett, 20 Hoskins Sotutu, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Peter Umaga-Jensen, 23 Damian McKenzie.
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 Harry Wilson, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Ned Hanigan, 5 Matt Philip, 4 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 1 James Slipper.
Subs: 16 Jordan Uelese, 17 Scott Sio, 18 Allan Alaalatoa, 19 Rob Simmons, 20 Liam Wright, 21 Jake Gordon, 22 Jordan Petaia, 23 Reece Hodge.
Photo: MICHAEL BRADLEY / AFP via Getty Images
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