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The All Blacks have lost 24-22 to the Wallabies in their fourth and final game of 2020, with the game defined by two red cards and two yellow cards.
Photo: PhotoSport
Despite outscoring the Wallabies three attempts to two in the game at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, the All Blacks fell short in the second half, spent very little time in the 22nd and constantly under pressure, generating costly penalties.
The Wallabies opened the scoring with a Tom Wright try in the third minute of play, marking a dream start for the Brumbies’ debut winger, but New Zealand responded shortly after with a Rieko Ioane try.
These would be the only trials scored in the first half, as the action of the first 40 minutes was overshadowed by two red cards.
New Zealand forward rower Ofa Tu’ungafasi was sent off in the 20th minute, becoming the fifth All Black to receive a red card in a test, after his shoulder connected with Wright’s chin.
Fifteen minutes later, and with scores set at 8-8, the Wallabies also lost a man for the remainder of the game, with Lachie Swinton sent off on debut for a similar inning.
See how the game developed with the RNZ Live Blog
The Wallabies were then left with 13 men when Marika Koroibete was sent off with a yellow card for flying over the ruck in the final minute of the first half. Australia managed to contain the All Blacks attack to enter halftime with the scores tied.
Despite being one man down, the Wallabies weathered the storm, including an inning that saved Koroibete’s Sevu Reece attempt, and they scored first in the second half with another penalty to Reece Hodge. The All Blacks then broke their defense when Codie Taylor scored on a lineout, bringing the score to 15-11.
With a new Hodge penalty that brought the score to one point, Scott Barrett received a yellow card for a hand in the ruck and with 10 minutes to play, Australia regained the lead with another penalty and consolidated the victory with a try by Taniela Tupou .
One last effort from the All Blacks, including a late attempt by Tupou Vaa’i, was not enough to get past the Wallabies, who took the victory.
