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The Wallabies’ wait for a victory at Eden Park will continue for another year at least after the All Blacks bounced back from an unconvincing opening game of this year’s Bledisloe Cup series with a powerful performance in Auckland.
New Zealand recorded a four-to-one victory over its trans-Tasman rivals in front of a largely haunted nearly full house of 46,049 after Covid-19 restrictions were lifted earlier this month.
The victory erased memories of a 16-16 draw in the first game last week and also gave them the advantage of retaining the symbol of trans-Tasmanian supremacy, which they have held since 2003, as the series moves to Australia for the last two games. .
The Wallabies put the All Blacks under enormous pressure early on before the locals picked up the pace of the game and began breaking tackles, with fullback Beauden Barrett and winger Caleb Clarke making several strong runs.
Richie Mo’unga scored a penalty in the 19th minute when territorial pressure said so before scrum-half Aaron Smith scored a try four minutes after an attacking scrum.
Mo’unga converted to give the All Blacks a 10-0 lead before the Wallabies again proved just how dangerous they can be with the ball in hand when Marika Koroibete crossed after a loss and James O ‘conversion. Connor narrowed the gap to 10-7.
Clarke then was the catalyst for attempts within three minutes of the second half for Jordie Barrett and Ardie Savea with two powerful runs, the second where he bounced off multiple tackles, to give the home team a 20-7 lead.
An excellent defense from Mo’unga prevented Koroibete from scoring his second try shortly after, before hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa had a try disallowed by referee Angus Gardner. All Blacks captain Sam Cane finished off a sweeping motion less than 90 seconds later to give them a 27-7 lead that ended the Australian challenge.
