[ad_1]
New Zealand Y Australia fought an exciting 16-16 draw in an exciting opening test of the Bledisloe Cup in Wellington on Sunday that saw the return of international rugby after the coronavirus shutdown.
Play continued nearly 10 minutes after the final horn sounded, as neither side wanted to settle for a draw.
The entertaining match, with two attempts and two penalties each, brought rugby out of its seven-month test break in front of 31,000 unmasked spectators, near capacity, and New Zealand largely contained the virus.
For the All Blacks and Wallabies, it was almost a year since they last played in the World Cup in Japan, and it was exactly 400 days since the last Test match in New Zealand.
In addition to the Covid distraction, test preparation was also shaken by disputes between New Zealand and Australia over Super Rugby and the Rugby Championship, and when it came to competition on the field, there were signs of rust.
But there was also a big lead, and the draw leaves Bledisloe’s four-game series wide open as Australia pushes to end an 18-year drought.
It was a moral victory for new Wallabies head coach Dave Rennie against his All Blacks counterpart Ian Foster in the battle of the two New Zealand natives who experienced their first test matches in charge.
While Foster has an experienced crew, Rennie is rebuilding himself and his new-looking Wallabies, notably rookies Harry Wilson and Filipo Daugunu, proved they were capable of shaking up the All Blacks.
Australia was disappointed by a high penalty count and a series of missed opportunities, such as seeing the giant lock Matt Philip handed over by the diminutive Damian McKenzie a meter from the line.
McKenzie, a late replacement for the injured Beauden Barrett, also made a spectacular tackle to prevent Daugunu from scoring in the opening minutes.
The Wallabies made most of the early attacks, but once the All Blacks adjusted their lines to counter the Wallabies’ quick defense, skillful passes from Aaron Smith and Shannon Frizell put Jordie Barrett in the clear for a run of 25 meters to the line to open the line. punctuation.
After Barrett and James O’Connor exchanged penalties, the All Blacks had a chance to extend their lead at the edge of the break when Sam Cane lunged for a dropped ball from Folau Faingaa’a to set up a 60-meter sweep. for Rieko Ioane to lose the ball over the try line.
It only took three minutes in the second half for the All Blacks to make their second attempt when George Bridge set Aaron Smith up for five.
But going 13-3, the All Blacks lost their structure allowing the Wallabies to counter with quick attempts from Marike Koroibete and Daugunu midway through the half.
In a dramatic close, an O’Connor penalty five minutes from time put the Wallabies ahead for the first time.
Barrett kicked a tie three minutes later and with a minute to go Reece Hodge hit the studs with a massive 55-meter effort that led to a 10-minute brawl as both sides fought in vain to secure victory.
Scorers:
New Zealand 16 (8)
Attempts: Jordie Barrett, Aaron Smith
Penalties: Barrett (2)
Australia 16 (3)
Attempts: Marika Koroibete, Philip Daugunu
Penalties: James O’Connor (2)
Teams:
New Zealand
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, 6 Shannon Frizell, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu, 3 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Joe Moody
Substitutes: 16 Dane Coles, 17 Karl Tu’inukuafe, 18 Nepo Laulala, 19 Tupou Vaai, 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 Toomua, 11 Marika Korobiete, 10 James O’Connor, 9 Nic White, 8 Pete Samu, 7 Michael Hooper (captain), 6 Harry Wilson, 5 Matt Philip, 4 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Mariners, 1 James Shoe
Substitutes: 16 Jordan Uelese, 17 Scott Sio, 18 Allan Alaalatoa, 19 Rob Simmons, 20 Rob Valetini, 21 Jake Gordon, 22 Noah Lolesio, 23 Reece Hodge
