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An inexperienced and cunning Australia fought back against New Zealand to tie their first Bledisloe Cup match 16-16.
A frenzied finish included a penalty from 55 meters that hit the post, and two drives to five meters at each end after the siren.
The Wallabies, with new coach Dave Rennie, had four rookies and six players who had played fewer than 10 tryouts, as they faced bitter rivals in Wellington.
Jordie Barrett found space in the overlay after nine minutes to open the scoring, although television replays suggested that Rieko Ioane touched the chalk in setup that was undetected by the referees.
A pair of penalties made it 8-3, and a mistake by Australia just before the half could have seen them enter the break for 10 when a misplaced pass from Saia Fainga’a was swallowed by the All Blacks.
But Ioane, out in the open and apparently destined to score, failed to roll properly and the TMO detected the slightest bit of space between his fingers and the ball.
The second attempt would come for New Zealand just after the half when the All Blacks made a deft move from the lineout that saw Aaron Smith cross the line.
But Australia did not finish and staged a remarkable comeback when the rain fell on the Sky Stadium.
Another movement in the lineout and a precise pass from James O’Connor put Marika Koroibete in place and rookie Filipo Daugunu crossed in the 63rd minute to tie the game at 13-13.
The All Blacks, upwind, failed to cover up a 40-meter kick through Barrett in the 72nd minute, but O’Connor, who fought off the tee, was faithful with the boot with five minutes to go before the Wallabies opened. a triple. lead.
Barrett tied in 79 minutes after poor discipline from the Wallabies, but Australia kept their hopes alive by winning the restart.
Reece Hodge was called up at the time of death as the Wallabies received a 55-meter penalty to win the game, but his kick was noisily retired from the vertical, though Rennie’s side stole the rebound and drove towards the line.
The All Blacks rallied and, with the help of a penalty, pushed within yards of a game-winning try, but Australia forced the loss and O’Connor opted to kick to close out the process.
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