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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
Sport
Jonathan Howcroft

Bledisloe Cup 2020: New Zealand 16-16 Australia – as it happened

Australia’s Marika Koroibete scores
Australia’s Marika Koroibete scores a try during the Bledisloe Cup opener between the New Zealand All Blacks and the Wallabies at Sky Stadium in Wellington. Photograph: Phil Walter/Getty Images

Summary

That was a heroic effort from Australia who entered Wellington with a callow squad and no hope, and left disappointed only to draw against the All Blacks on New Zealand soil. The Wallabies enjoyed more territory and possession in challenging conditions, controlling the ball in tight and kicking astutely. However, errors flowed freely at set-pieces and at the breakdown, allowing the All Blacks to keep themselves in it.

It was a wild clash at times. New Zealand should have put daylight between themselves and Australia on the stroke of half-time but Ioane’s brain fade will haunt him for a long time to come. Then at the death Hodge smashed his 55m penalty sweetly only to see it rebound off the upright. The ten minutes of extra time were as chaotic as international rugby could ever be.

Lots of Australians can hold their heads high. O’Connor and White in the halves were instrumental and showed great control. Daugunu shone on debut, Paisami impressed and To’omua nailed some huge hits in midfield.

New Zealand were uncharacteristically cagey, seemingly playing the conditions more than their opponents on occasion, kicking away possession instead of taking the game on. They struggled badly under the high ball and rarely mounted repeat-phases in attack. They remained strong at the set-pieces, the scrum especially, and were efficient at the breakdown, especially in defence when they could easily have conceded a mountain of penalties.

Ok, that’s about all from me for now. Thanks for joining in, and remember, game two is this time next week in Auckland. What a spectacular return for international rugby.

Australia
Australia battled hard for a draw against the All Blacks. Photograph: Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images

Updated

New Zealand 16-16 Australia

New Zealand now just 5m away and a score is imminent - but Australia force the turnover and O’Connor kicks the ball dead.

It’s a draw!

Ten minutes of time added on in the most incredible finish, but despite the best efforts of both sets of players the opening contest in this year’s Bledisloe Cup ends with honours even.

Updated

80 mins: New Zealand flood forward, reserves to the fore, each hitting the line and busting their way through. The crowd leans into the tension, urging their side on. Phase, tackle, phase tackle, New Zealand are muscling their way closer. The ball spills loose from the breakdown, but it’s play on. Then a knock-on against the All Blacks - then Australia lose possession in context - after the advantage was over. This is mindblowing.

80 mins: Australia steal the lineout and set off for another bash at the All Blacks through the middle. It’s the same pattern all game, lots of industry but little penetration against a fearsome New Zealand defensive line. But still the Wallabies come, phase after phase, edging closer - until a knock-on! And New Zealand have a go. This is wild.

80 mins: And now there’s a penalty for New Zealand who kick miles downfield for one last roll of the dice. What a finish.

80 mins: The ball ricochets out, New Zealand fumble, and Australia mount another attack. Ball secured 15m from the line Australia’s pack locks the ball in. O’Connor snipes, then a series of runners on either side, but somehow New Zealand survive without conceding a penalty.

80 mins: Hodge, from 55m, with the wind at his back - hits the post!!!!!!

80 mins: Superboot Reece Hodge is going for goal. Remember, if he fails, New Zealand could counter.

80 mins: Australia kept the ball alive for an age after winning the short kick-off. Phase after phase of play through the middle and chipping along the left edge. The advantage is called with the infringement about 55m from goal. And the penalty is awarded! Can Australia kick the penalty? Will they even go for it?

80 mins: Australia win the restart!

PENALTY! New Zealand 16-16 Australia (Barrett 79)

Barrett levels the scores with a minute remaining. The kick was point blank and despite the conditions he made no mistake.

78 mins: Whitleock does magnificently to secure a tricky lineout throw. Again the rolling maul forms, 18m out, and again the advantage call rings out. This time the penalty is awarded soon afterwards. The All Blacks will kick.

77 mins: New Zealand convert a lineout win into a rolling maul that Australia are desperate to haul down but the All Blacks whirl it around with a penalty advantage. They keep the ball alive down the short side, the left, but there’s nothing inventive so they head back right. Australia’s line holds firm so the All Blacks go back left but still there are no gaps to exploit. After an age, the advantage is cashed in, and New Zealand kick to the corner! Grandstand finish coming up.

75 mins: New Zealand are up against it now but Australia secure the restart and clear to halfway.

PENALTY! New Zealand 13-16 Australia (O'Connor 75)

O’Connor and Barrett, who have both struggled off the tee, trade field kicks and Australia come out well on top, the Wallaby fly-half turning defence into attack with one huge boot. With good field position Australia set up well in attack and New Zealand are over eager in pursuit, an offside call going against them. Now, can O’Connor kick the three points? From 30m out, almost dead in front.... yes he can! Wow! Australia lead!

72 mins: Barrett misses the penalty! These conditions are treacherous and they are playing havoc with both kickers. The All Black misses from 40m on a slight angle, meat and drink most days of the week, but not today.

Amen!

70 mins: The scrum is another huge win for New Zealand and they steam forward down the left, earning an advantage along the way. Australia’s line rushes up as play shifts to the right, which is the signal for play to come back to the earlier penalty.

69 mins: There’s another long delay for the setting and resetting of scrums with the All Blacks eager to exploit a rare attacking opportunity.

67 mins: New Zealand have barely had the ball all game and when they have earned it they’ve kicked it away more often than not. Australia are the side determined to take the game on through hands with O’Connor and White both performing well behind a solid pack showing. The strategy comes undone on this occasion though with rain falling heavily over the Cake Tin and the ball spilling through fingers on its way from the breakdown to the left wing.

64 mins: Replays confirm that it was McKenzie who dislodged the ball at the breakdown allowing White his moment of brilliance, no knock on or interference form the Wallabies. Game on in Wellington!

TRY! New Zealand 13-13 Australia (Daugunu 63)

Australia with a rare breakdown turnover on halfway setting up O’Connor to weave his way through the centre of New Zealand’s defence. Philip has a dart and gold shirts flood forward to secure the breakdown, but the ball spins out - White is alert and he dives and flick passes in the blink of an eye for Daugunu to hold on and crash over in the corner. Huge moment for Australia and the debutant!

Again, O’Connor is miles off target with his conversion.

60 mins: Australia’s defence has been full of intent today with tacklers flying out of the line at pace to unsettle New Zealand’s halves. Samu is the latest, ruffling SMith’s feathers, but Australia’s hopes of a breakaway are scuppered by a knock-on call.

58 mins: The game is in the balance but Australia continue to concede penalties at the breakdown and the latest turns attack into defence on halfway.

55 mins: Australia again are back in possession soon after the restart but they concede the ball at the breakdown and New Zealand kick long to gain territory. A penalty against Australia allows New Zealand a lineout on the 22 but as the attacking phase evolves Mo’unga throws a loose pass as he’s lined up by a chasing Wallaby. Australia secure the ball in broken play and charge to the New Zealand 22 before slowing the play down until To’omua chips through for Koroibete to chase, but McKenzie wins the race.

TRY! New Zealand 13-8 Australia (Koroibete 52)

Australia win the lineout and O’Connor marshals a superb attack from right to left. A decoy runner in centrefield drew attention away from the outside where Australia’s fly-half held on a beat before releasing his pass, allowing enough space for Koroibete to catch and carve his way around his man and over in the corner. Excellent move from Australia, and no less than they deserve.

Unsurprisingly, O’Connor fails from the tee.

Updated

51 mins: Huge shove from the All Blacks pack gets the scrum rumbling forward. From the back the ball is thrown out to the left wing but Australia recover and defend. Again they put boot to ball and target the right corner and it works well with New Zealand slicing the clearing kick out of touch on the 22.

49 mins: There’s one of those long delays that infuriate newcomers to rugby while the scrum is set and reset. Eventually it ends with Australia losing the feed for the second time today. They are being told they’re pushing too soon. What do the All Blacks do? Take the offer of their own scrum feed - so we’re back to the unintelligible dance of crouching giants.

TRY! New Zealand 13-3 Australia (Smith 44)

From the lineout 40m out New Zealand execute a perfect training ground manoeuvre and Smith crosses in the left corner. Whitelock won the throw, handed it down to Taylor who fed Bridge through the huge gap in the defensive line. His break created room for Smith to prosper. The scrum-half had 30m to go and he ate up the first 20 swiftly, but then he had to fend off his opposite number, which he did in a battle of strength before both men hit the turf. Smith refused to concede defeat and wriggled to his feet before twisting his body over the line before the cavalry arrived. Excellent team move, superb individual finish.

Aaron Smith scores
Aaron Smith scores for the All Blacks. Photograph: Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images

Barrett cannot convert from the touchline.

Updated

44 mins: The Wallabies are back into their work quickly but just as momentum was building there’s an incorrect entry to the ruck and New Zealand can clear their lines with a penalty.

42 mins: The second half begins with New Zealand again struggling under the high ball and after McKenzie is wrapped up by Daugunu Australia are offered a penalty opportunity from 40m out, 15m in from the right touchline. But O’Connor misses! No kick is easy in these conditions, but Australia will be disappointed with that.

A much tighter first half than many expected. Australia enjoyed two-thirds of the ball and controlled the game for large parts. New Zealand opted to kick at every opportunity and only mounted a couple of concerted attacks, one of which brought them five points, the other three.

The Wallabies have only had themselves to blame, losing one scrum against the feed and a host of lineouts, not to mention a couple of sloppy passes in innocuous circumstances.

Half-time: New Zealand 8-3 Australia

Horror show for both teams, absolute brain fade catastrophe areas. In time-on Australia win their own lineout 30m from New Zealand’s line and White feeds Fainga’a with a gap to hit into. For whatever reason he looks inside and tries to make a loopy pass without momentum that just lands invitingly for New Zealand to pounce all over. And boy do they do just that. In seconds there’s a black tidal wave sweeping across the Cake Tin with support runners inside and out desperate to play their role in a chain that can only end one way. But, hang on, the TMO is getting involved. The on-field call is try but they just want to check the grounding. And with good reason! Rieko Ioane you plonker! All the All Black centre had to do was put the ball on the ground and instead he decided to put in a superman dive and inches from the five points he lost possession and there was the faintest gap between fingers and ball at the crucial moment. Blimey.

39 mins: White has done well so far to keep Australia ticking over in tight, inviting runner after runner to try to puncture the All Blacks line, but it’s to no avail and Hooper concedes the penalty. Almost immediately afterwards the skipper steals possession back to redeem himself.

37 mins: The All Blacks have hardly strung two phases together all half and again they kick early to play the territorial game, but it’s not a great effort along the left wing and Australia are immediately back on attack. Salakaia-Loto and Slipper are prominent as Australia keep things tight but the All Blacks line stands firm until they force the turnover. But yet again New Zealand kick away possession soon after getting their hands on the ball and again it comes back to bite them. The attempted monster bomb to the corner to catch Australia napping is almost perfect, but it rolls the wrong side of the corner post and Australia get a scrum 30m from New Zealand’s line.

35 mins: A superb kick to the corner sets up A1 attacking position for the Wallabies. They secure the lineout this time and they try to set up a solid maul, without much luck, and White is forced to take the game on by himself and is immediately swallowed by a tsunami of black jerseys.

32 mins: An exchange of kicks ends Australia’s way with McKenzie the latest All Black to come a cropper in this impossible wind. It seems to swirl and straighten from all angles making judging long bombs impossible.

White again darts from behind the scrum and gains handy yards before another tactical kick secures good territory. New Zealand kick straight back before the Wallabies decide to run from halfway. The referee’s arm goes up for an advantage which is a relief for Dave Rennie, because a floaty pass to the right edge is cut out superbly by the All Blacks but the interception immediately heralds a whistle.

PENALTY! New Zealand 8-3 Australia (O'Connor 31)

Australia secure lineout possession and set up a driving maul that builds a head of steam as it wobbles from right to left around 10m out. The penalty award is inevitable. O’Connor drills it home.

28 mins: New Zealand have struggled with Australia’s kick-offs this half and Ioane fumbles the latest swirling ball his way. Australia are straight on the attack and soon are awarded a penalty for a Tuipulotu hit on Hooper that failed to include arms. The Wallabies kick to the corner.

PENALTY! New Zealand 8-0 Australia (Barrett 27)

And another lineout win for the All Blacks on Australia’s throw! Huge overthrow read by Tuipulotu. From the next phase New Zealand put heads down and bums up and try to burrow their way through the Wallabies defensive line. And eventually they do, but they can’t find the grass with the ball carrier held up and Australia survive. But there’s a penalty in their somewhere and Barrett makes no mistake.

25 mins: New Zealand take no risks behind the scrum and continue their kick-first strategy, McKenzie drilling the ball into the right corner.

23 mins: Another lineout fail from Fainga’a sets up a scrum on halfway. Australia cannot afford to give away possession like that in these conditions - that’s two lineouts and a scrum against the feed already.

21 mins: Safe scrum from the Wallabies this time and from the back White darts dangerously 10m forward before finding Philip charging on his inside shoulder. The All Blacks bring him to ground but the attack is well and truly on - until it isn’t. McKenzie laid the tackle on the Australian lock and was on his feet in a flash ready to steal possession only for an illegal infringement denying him. Close from the Wallabies who are giving as good as they’re getting so far. Superb defence from McKenzie.

Matt To’omua
Matt To’omua passes the ball to teammate Hunter Paisami. Photograph: Andrew Cornaga/AP

Updated

19 mins: New Zealand take no risks and punt the ball clear but the Wallabies are patient in response, building momentum with a series of phases in tight with Tupou to the fore. The gainline isn’t crossed by much, but it’s safe possession for Australia, and eventually it forces an error fro New Zealand with an illegal strip earning a centrefield scrum 20m from the All Blacks line.

17 mins: After a couple of resets the referee’s whistle goes in New Zealand’s favour and Australia lose the scrum. Again To’omua’s muscle in midfield slows the All Blacks down and when the turnover is completed O’Connor is quick to switch the ball wide before To’omua dabs a kick into the corner to secure territory. This is the tactical kicking game talked about beforehand in a situation where a Cheika-coached side would have been expected to run.

15 mins: Again New Zealand force Australia back with their kicking game, seemingly accepting that into the teeth of the wind the running game isn’t going to be the smart play, especially from slow breakdowns. The Wallabies are unconvincing handling the swirling conditions but they do enough and the clearing kick bounces, befuddling New Zealand’s onrushing defence. Another kick from Australia, this one high and menacing, invites Mckenzie to claim the bomb in traffic but inevitably he spills and Australia gain a scrum.

13 mins: Penalty to the All Blacks midfield allows them to kick to touch on the 22 but they can’t make anything from the lineout thanks to a crunching tackle from To’omua. Smith cleans up in broken play and his teasing kick over the top forces the Wallabies to concede a drop-out.

12 mins: Replays indicate that in the second phase of the build-up to that try, when Ioane continued New Zealand’s momentum down the left wing, his foot clipped the whitewash. The transgression was not seen by the touch judge and the All Blacks escape.

TRY! New Zealand 5-0 Australia (Barrett 9)

The All Blacks steal the first lineout against the throw for the day and immediately kick deep into space to gain territory. The Wallabies clear their lines but only as far as Mckenzie who fizzes and jinks his way in the left channel, setting up an excellent attacking platform. With Australia’s defence slow to regroup the All Blacks shift the ball from left wing to right - simple catch and pass - until Barrett exploits the overlap and dives over in the corner.

Jordie Barrett scores
Jordie Barrett scores the game’s opening try. Photograph: Marty Melville/AFP/Getty Images

Barrett fails with an absurdly difficult conversion attempt that swirls midair like it’s caught in a twister.

Updated

8 mins: Australia have controlled the early exchanges, clearing out the ruck efficiently and taking the game on with ball in hand. Everything is going down the right wing, until O’Connor cuts left and feeds To’omua but his kick to two possible chasers is easily read by Ioane.

6 mins: Australia continue to threaten down the right with Daugunu again to the fore but after Paisami failed to break the line or offload safely the All Blacks counter at rapid pace until they run out of space on the right touchline near halfway.

4 mins: New Zealand haven’t looked fluid in possession yet with a couple of scruffy passages in midfield before Mo’unga makes a dart down the left. The ball then gets recycled infield but Australia’s back row is up early to hammer the ball carrier. Eventually the All Blacks are forced to kick into the swirling wind but the Wallabies defuse the bomb and set off on a counterattack, orchestrated by White but involving Daugunu showing a clean pair of heels along the touchline to gain a good 40m or so.

3 mins: The Wallabies win the lineout securely then launch a series of tight plays that fail to puncture the All Blacks defence. Sensing that strategy isn’t working O’Connor tries to step from five-eighth but when he accepts contact the ball doesn’t come out and New Zealand clear with a penalty.

2 mins: New Zealand struggle to handle a deep swirling kick-off and a slow ruck leads to a hurried clearance that only just crosses the 22. Good start for Australia.

Kick-off!

We’re underway in Bledisloe one!

TJ Perenara leads the All Blacks haka while Australia stand a respectful distance away in a crescent formation. No throat-slitting today after all. Is it just me, or has the theatre of that spectacle overtaken any prematch intimidation it’s supposed to deliver? It all seems a bit cosplay from both sides compared to years past when there was genuine menace in the air with both units facing off.

Australia are out onto the field in Wellington, all wearing drill tops. Close behind are the bare-armed All Blacks. There has been speculation the All Blacks intend to perform their controversial Kapa o Pango haka today, which concludes with a throat-slitting gesture. We’ll find out after the national anthems.

Sam Cane leads the haka
Sam Cane leads the haka. Photograph: Phil Walter/Getty Images

Updated

True to form, conditions at the Cake Tin are horrendous - you wouldn’t want it any other way, right? There’s rain around, temperatures are in the low teens, and there’s a howling gale blowing from the north. To add to the inhospitable conditions for an Australian unit fresh from a training camp in balmy northern New South Wales, there will be 30,000 or so locals in the crowd barracking on their heroes.

One of the surer things in the world of sport to provide comfort in these uncertain times is for Australia’s TV coverage of the Wallabies to rival the most one-eyed supporter in the outer. And so it continues, with Matt Burke putting his best politician’s spin on the question of who he thinks will win today’s contest, ending with an “anything’s possible” if the Aussies bring it conclusion.

Why is it so hard for people to just admit they think the team they never played for are going to win? In Victoria recently a former state premier upbraided the incumbent for not tipping in favour of Victorian teams in the local newspaper when they were taking on sides from interstate. It’s barmy.

What has all the to-ing and fro-ing over scheduling and revenue led up to? The Rugby Championship fixture list.

Whatever the result in Wellington it will be a day to remember for Wallabies centurion Michael Hooper.

Wallabies XV

Dave Rennie has named a raw outfit for his first Test in charge of the Wallabies. There are four debutants – Harry Wilson at blindside flanker, outside-centre Hunter Paisami, winger Filipo Daugunu and back-up five-eighth Noah Lolesio - and a further six players who have played fewer than 10 Tests.

Tactically, Australia are expected to jettison Michael Cheika’s signature ball-in-hand approach and prioritise tactical kicking. There’s also a hope that the Wallabies pack can go toe-to-toe with the All Blacks and provide a solid platform from which to exercise control.

All Blacks XV

Ian Foster’s plans were disrupted twice in the lead-up to today’s clash with star fullback Beauden Barrett a late withdrawal with a tight achilles’ tendon and prop Nepo Laulala pulling out for personal reasons. In their place come Damian McKenzie and Tyrel Lomax.

New Zealand: 15. Damian McKenziet, 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 (captain), 6. Shannon Frizell, 5. Sam Whitelock, 4. Patrick Tuipulotu, 3. Ofa Tuungafasi, 2. Codie Taylor, 1. Joe Moody.

Reserves: 16. Dane Coles, 17. Karl Tu’inukuafe, 18. Tyrel Lomax, 19. Tupou Vaa’i, 20. Hoskins Sotutu, 21. T.J. Perenara, 22. Anton Lienert-Brown, 23. Caleb Clarke.

A bit more on Dave Rennie from Bret Harris, following his appointment late last year.

After guiding the Wellington Lions to a first ITM Cup title in 14 years, Rennie steered the New Zealand Under-20s to three consecutive world titles from 2008 to 2010, a successful coaching pathway that led him to the Chiefs as head coach in 2012. Rennie achieved immediate success with the Chiefs, guiding the Hamilton-based side to back to back Super Rugby titles in 2012 and 2013. They played in the finals in each of the six seasons Rennie was in charge.

There’s been plenty of talk around the culture change Dave Rennie will bring to the Wallabies as head coach. “Wherever I’ve gone, I think culture is crucially important,” Rennie said shortly after his appointment. “When you look at professional sport all over the world, there’s a lot of emphasis on skill sets and the training and so on, maybe less emphasis on connecting and community and what I’ve found is really important is that players understand who they are and who they represent and so that means we need that genuine connection with our people, I reckon it helps us play better on Saturdays.”

It already seems to be filtering through. Hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa spoke recently about the culture change in the Wallabies dressing room. “There’s definitely a lot more positivity around the place, a lot more players are buying in to what Dave is about,” he said. “I think it’s just a lot of difference in culture.”

Here’s a nice example:

More on the background to today’s clash from Bret Harris.

The straining of relations between Australia and New Zealand dates back to July when the Kiwis invited just two or three of Australia’s five Super Rugby teams to participate in a trans-Tasman competition, which RA refused to entertain. Since then Australia and New Zealand have found a way to bicker over almost every issue that has arisen, particularly scheduling for the Bledisloe Cup and the Rugby Championship, leading to threats of boycotts.

Preamble

Hello everybody and welcome to live coverage of the first Bledisloe Cup international of the year between New Zealand and Australia. We’ll be underway in Wellington at 4pm local time (2pm AEDT).

Rarely can there have been a murkier build up to one of the showpiece events on the sporting calendar. Neither side has played a full international since the World Cup almost exactly a year ago, since when sport has been rocked by the Covid-19 pandemic leading to rugby authorities indulging in round after round of in-fighting over scheduling, quarantine, and finances. Considering all the bickering that has taken place it’s a wonder there’s a Bledisloe Cup to be contested at all this year.

That said, it’s as clear as mud what constitutes the 2020 Bledisloe Cup with two standalone fixtures in New Zealand (today and next Sunday in Auckland) preceding two Rugby Championship clashes in Australia. Communication has been desperately poor over recent weeks as details have been thrashed out behind the scenes and confirmation drip-fed to a bewildered public. Rugby Australia boss Hamish McLennan has only been in the hotseat a few months but already has the experience to declare relations with New Zealand Rugby to be at their “lowest ebb”. This is not ideal for such a co-dependent rivalry.

Putting the off-field machinations to one side, there is no shortage of intrigue in the actual rugby itself. Both nations appointed new coaches many months ago at the start of a new World Cup cycle, and this will be their first opportunities to stamp their marks on their respective sides.

There are 16 uncapped players in Dave Rennie’s first training squad with just six of the 44-strong group aged over 28. The former Chiefs mentor has been tasked with reinventing the Wallabies, and his first international season looks likely to be one full of experimentation. However, one constant remains, captain Michael Hooper, who will lead his side out today in his 100th appearance in green and gold.

By contrast, the All Blacks approach is one of continuity. Ian Foster, formerly assistant to Steve Hansen, is now in the club suit, and he’s backing a familiar group to recover from a chastening defeat to England at the semi-final stage last year in Japan.

For Foster and the All Blacks the next fortnight carries plenty of expectation. Not only will the frustration of that defeat to England need blowing away, the animosity behind the scenes with Australia has created palpable tension between the near neighbours. In front of sizeable crowds baying for blood the heavily fancied New Zealand outfit will not only need to win, but put on a show.

I’ll be back in a short while with line-ups and whatnot. If you want to get in touch at any point, you can reach me on Twitter or email.

Bledisloe Cup
Australia are striving to reclaim the Bledisloe Cup for the first time since 2002. Photograph: Gary Day/Frozen in Motion/REX/Shutterstock

Updated

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