Wallabies stun All Blacks in Bledisloe Cup 'dead rubber'
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Wallabies stun All Blacks in Bledisloe Cup 'dead rubber'
Australia bounced back from their humiliating record defeat to New Zealand a week ago as they edged the All Blacks 24-22 in a crazy Bledisloe 4 encounter in round 2 of the Tri Nations Championship.
With the Bledisloe Cup already wrapped up by New Zealand, Australia showed their intent early as a superb little chip ahead from Reece Hodge saw Tom Banks regather and offload to Tom Wright on debut for the opening try just two minutes in. New Zealand hit back five minutes later with a clever offload from Jordie Barrett in contact finding Ngani Laumape whose pass ricocheted into the arms of Rieko Ioane to make it 5-5.
A penalty for Australia saw them back in front midway through the first half. 22 minutes in and New Zealand were down to 14 players as Ofa Tu'ungafasi was shown his marching orders with a straight red card for a high tackle with his shoulder making direct contact to the chin of Tom Wright.
Despite their numerical disadvantage, the All Blacks would level matters with a penalty after 33 minutes making it 8-8.Ofa Tu'ungafasi is the third All Black to be sent off in the professional era 🔴#AUSvNZL #BledisloeCup pic.twitter.com/I5jFTR73Z0
— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) November 7, 2020
Immediately from the restart it was Australia's turn to receive a red card as a high shot from Lachlan Swinton on Sam Whitelock brought an end to his Wallaby debut, with both sides now down to 14 players for the remainder of the match.
Red on debut for Lachlan Swinton 🔴 #BledisloeCup #AUSvNZL pic.twitter.com/gapeDmt2sZ
— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) November 7, 2020
The All Blacks piled on the pressure in the closing minutes of the first half which saw the Wallabies go down to 13 players as Marika Koroibete was sent to the sin bin for repeated offences by Australia deep in their own 22.
New Zealand hammered away at the Wallabies line but would come away empty handed as the sides headed into the halftime break deadlocked at 8-8. Australia would strike first in the second half, slotting a penalty nine minutes in to hit the front 11-8. The All Blacks response was almost immediate as Codie Taylor dotted down off the back of a powerful maul to put the visitors in front 15-11.
The Wallabies would make it a one point ball game heading into the final quarter, with a penalty reducing the deficit to 15-14. Reece Hodge then lined up a long-range shot at goal for the lead, but it sailed wide. New Zealand were then down to 13 players as a cynical infringement from Scott Barrett on the floor of a ruck saw him pick up a yellow card. Momentum had truly swung in Australia's favour and a penalty shortly after saw them into a 17-15 lead with around ten minutes to play.
The Wallabies took full advantage of their extra player, as five minutes from time Taniela Tupou powered his way over to make it a nine point ball game at 24-15. The All Blacks showed their fighting spirit as Tupou Vaa'i reached over for a try with a minute remaining, but it would prove too little too late as the Wallabies held on to record an impressive bounce back victory.
