Summary
That will do for now, I think. We’ll be back here next Sunday evening for the Wallabies v Springboks on the Gold Coast. Another massive Test for Australia, but a welcome one after so many recent outings against New Zealand.
The All Blacks remain on The West Isle for a while longer, and they will also take the field at Cbus Super Stadium next weekend, but against the Pumas.
Thanks for joining us this afternoon, let’s do it all again next week.
“We’re learning a lot,” adds Rennie, “and now we’ve got a couple of Tests against the World Champions. We’re improving a lot, but we need to put it together for 80 minutes.”
“We need to be far more clinical,” says Dave Rennie, after commending the amount of opportunities the Wallabies created. “We’ve got to keep improving. We defended well for big periods of the game but we fell off tackles and the All Blacks hurt us.
“We’re happy with the character of the boys, but we’ve got a fair way to go.”
“The Wallabies want to play, but they have to earn the right,” is yet again the refrain from the TV studio. Australia have shown a commitment to running rugby under Dave Rennie, but the decision making and execution remains a long way from the All Blacks’ standard.
Akira Ioane is the deserved player of the match, and he spends most of his time with the mic praising teammates. “I can’t rest on my laurels, got to keep learning from my mistakes,” he says. How can you not admire the All Blacks?
How do the Wallabies remedy making so many individual errors? Where can they find a ball player to control the game? Is this the start of something, or more of the same? Dave Rennie has a big few weeks coming up.
An 18th Bledisloe clean sweep for New Zealand, and first since 2018.
Remember, today they missed skipper Sam Whitelock, starting kicker Richie Mo’unga, and starting 9 Aaron Smith, and played 20 minutes with only 14 men.
“Disappointing we were doing so much good, and ended up conceding six tries,” laments Michael Hooper, in a neat precis of the series. “We need to be better as a team.”
Ardie Savea, who missed most of the second half after failing an HIA speaks to the TV guys, talking about respecting the process, and other platitudes.
For the third match in a row between these old foes the script looks pretty similar. Australia saw plenty of ball, created no shortage of half-chances, but still found themselves blown away time and again by devastating All Black raids.
Full-time: Australia 21-38 New Zealand
Three Bledisloe Cup contests, three convincing New Zealand victories.
TRY! Australia 21-38 New Zealand (Banks, 79)
Good lineout and spread from right to left from the Wallabies. Then they reset and go back to the right. This is all just inside the 22 with New Zealand’s line being dragged one way then the other. Can anybody straighten up into a gap? YES! Nic White can, he darts 10m out, looks for support and Tom Banks is there with just enough strength to cross the line and touch down on his back, wearing McKenzie like a rucksack.
The conversion from Hodge was unmissable, even today.
78 mins: Scrum penalty to Australia on halfway. That has been the one area of concern for the All Blacks in another free-scoring display.
76 mins: Both teams try to throw the ball around. Australia do so badly. New Zealand show much more familiarity with the technique and reach the Wallaby 22. Banks kicks clear to halfway.
TRY! Australia 14-38 New Zealand (Bridge, 73)
This is too good. We are being treated to some magical rugby.
The Wallabies hold onto their throw on the 22 and hurl the ball around to keep it around. Perenara reads Valetini’s intentions and, guess what, intercepts... he darts 30m himself, recognises there are too many gold jerseys nearby for the solo try, so he drops the ball onto his left boot and perfectly into the path of Bridge on the left wing. He patiently gathers and crosses. Breathtaking. Such incredible decision-making, timing, and execution.
Another failed kick attempt from McKenzie.
Updated
71 mins: The Wallabies continue to run at all costs, but it’s taking plenty of effort to cross the gainline near halfway, but eventually they earn a penalty for Retallick not releasing the ball carrier.
69 mins: Damian McKenzie is the latest kicker to fail in these perfect conditions. But that should not distract from yet another brilliant intervention from Akira Ioane. He is awesome.
TRY! Australia 14-33 New Zealand (Lienert-Brown, 68)
Australia try to run the restart back from their own 22 on the left wing, but accept the box kick eventually. Koroibete does superbly with the chase to corral McKenzie but the All Blacks don’t mind. They switch inside, then back out to the right where there is no room to manoeuvre, unless you’re Akira Ioane, who weaves his way through tackles, throws inside to Perenara and New Zealand are in sniffing distance of the line. Play shifts to the left, then back to the right, and Ioane is involved decisively once more, this time it’s Lienert-Brown on his left shoulder, and he has enough force to cross and touch down.
The TMO is taking a look at an earlier possible forward pass. Nothing doing.
Updated
TRY! Australia 14-28 New Zealand (White, 66)
After all that, it’s a scrum feed to Australia just inside New Zealand’s half. And from it, they only need a couple of phases to score! Samu bulldozes through a weak breakdown, another sub, White, is on his shoulder, and he dives full length to score. Another sub, Hodge dabs over the extras.
Updated
“Right about now Dave Rennie will be wishing he didn’t make such a push for the AB’s to go to Perth,” emails Christine. Wallaby coach right now is a poisoned chalice, isn’t it? All these skill errors against New Zealand, and only the small matter of South Africa on the horizon!
64 mins: Australia playing on at all costs now, and they have proven before that it can work late-on against New Zealand. They run from their own half through 14 phases into the All Blacks’ 22. Still they go, 10m out, with momentum, but... oh, they cough the ball up and New Zealand break! And they break at speed down the left and McKenzie crosses unopposed under the posts. Not again!
Hang on - play is being called back. Early in the breakway McKenzie lost possession and the TMO correctly identifies that he didn’t regather legally.
TRY! Australia 7-28 New Zealand (Havili, 62)
The lineout is too long and Reiko Ioane almost breaks away. Still, the All Blacks will be happy to see the ball kicked to halfway. But Australia run it back with interest, Lolesio with the sidestep and offload, can the Wallabies....oh no.... not again... can the Wallabies score? No. But New Zealand can.
Philip! Yes, the second rower! Is in the line trying to ship the ball quickly to the right wing. He’s too slow. Havili reads the play like a book, intercepts and dashes 80m to score yet another intercept try.
Barrett makes another absolute mess of the conversation from gimme range. What is going on with those kicking tees?
60 mins: The interchanges are coming thick and fast for the final 20 minutes, a passage that begins with Australia winning a scrum penalty against the All Blacks feed on New Zealand’s 22. The Wallabies kick to the corner. Another score and they could still have life...
@JPHowcroft maybe simpler if the Wallabies just forfeit the next Bledisloe and save their energy for something more productive
— Assoc Prof Doug Shelton (@DShelt) September 5, 2021
58 mins: Not for the first time in this Bledisloe series, Australia’s tackling on the outside just wasn’t up to scratch.
TRY! Australia 7-23 New Zealand (Jordan, 55)
Akira Ioane, take a bow. From the lineout on the left New Zealand throw the ball right and when it gets to the big No 6 in the right centre position he straightens up and shrugs off the tackler at his legs, fends off another at arm’s length, then brushes past a third limp gold tackler. Pounding towards the line he gives off the score to Jordan on his outside.
Barrett makes an absolute mess of the conversion. Dreadful kick.
54 mins: Lineout on halfway and the All Blacks secure and expand through hands from right to left. Ioane is almost through but he’s scragged and Jordan kicks for territory. McDermott continues his strong showing, running the ball back at pace, but he lacks support and New Zealand are soon back in possession. Barrett isn’t interested in anything too fancy, dabbing the ball forward off his boot and forcing a line drop out.
52 mins: Dave Rennie wanted to focus on the period after half-time, and his team have responded.
TRY! Australia 7-18 New Zealand (Fainga'a, 50)
Australia have momentum. McDermott has threatened to break the line all day, and finally he does. He has no support though so he has to accept contact from McKenzie, but he does well to keep the ball alive. The ruck is quick, Fainga’a is up to the line speedily, and once he accepts the pass one out he cannot be stopped. The Wallabies finally have a try!
Lolesio makes no mistake with the simple conversion.
Updated
48 mins: Lineout, maul, Havili with a thumping run, but Australia nail the tackle and break at speed. This is a blistering counterattack down the right - Kerevi, Kellaway, then Banks with room to lengthen his stride - but Ionae catches up and hauls him down like a big cat pouncing on a savannah herbivore. That was a massive moment. And it ends with Damian McKenzie entering the field of play as the 15th man in a black jersey.
47 mins: Australia attack off the lineout just inside New Zealand’s half and they hit the line quickly, especially Ikitau, but the All Black defence is all over the breakdown and soon force the penalty. Barrett boots it many a mile and the ABs are in attacking 22.
Retallick is now skippering the tourists as Savea takes a breather. The subs have begun early today.
46 mins: Scrum penalty to the Wallabies, but the clearing kick is poor and Australia are still on their own 22. Finally there’s a releasing kick downfield. Jordan accepts it and chips and chases his own ball. Koroibete does well to stand his ground in midfield and Australia attack down the right, but they run out of touch.
44 mins: It’s a terrible throw and Australia gather. Then Papalii executes a simple turnover, then the Wallabies regather - what is going on out there? Back to the boot both teams go and New Zealand come up well on top territorially in the aftermath. From inside his 22 McDermott then tries to box kick clear but it’s charged down and the ball dribbles into touch near the try line.
A ragged start to the half, but New Zealand won’t mind as they continue with 14 men for another couple of minutes.
42 mins: Australia accept the kick-off and keep things short on the left. McDermott box kicks to halfway from his 22 and New Zealand run a scrappy couple of phases before Jordan and Banks exchange kicks and New Zealand will have a lineout just inside Australian territory.
41 mins: The second half is underway. Can the Wallabies rescue something?
Dubbo Don is back. “Q: How many times can a Wallabies supporter say F*** in one half?”
I feel your pain Don, I feel your pain. For the third match in a row it’s a case of doing plenty right, but enough crucial things wrong to make you want to tear your hair out. I think it’s clear that for all this group’s qualities, there is something missing to take them to the level the ABs and Springboks are at.
Half-time: Australia 0-18 New Zealand
With 15 men the All Blacks were 13 points better than the Wallabies, with 14 the margin was only five-points. Either way, Australia remain unable to find the combination to unsettle this incredible outfit.
Updated
TRY! Australia 0-18 New Zealand (Papalii, 40+1)
The AB lineout 10m from the line becomes a thrilling driving maul, it goes, and goes, and goes! TRY! That is one hell of a flex. The New Zealand forwards rumble all the way over and Papalii has the honour of touching down. What a drive!
Barrett misses the conversion from the right touchline.
39 mins: the All Blacks forwards agin try to milk the clock with slow phase ball in midfield. Eventually there’s a kick to halfway that Koroibete tries to run back, but he’s pinged for not releasing after the tackle. The All blacks have nearly absorbed 15 minutes with 14 men.
38 mins: No try. Koroibete hit the deck under the forest of legs in the maul and it was his second or third movement that saw him over the line. Australia remain scoreless.
38 mins: Great lineout, the maul has momentum, they’re over the line - is there a touchdown? Who’s in the middle of it? Koroibete!? What is he doing there!? The TMO is taking a look...
37 mins: The visiting forwards keep the ball in hand, absorbing tackles, and time. They also show some incredible handling skills for big men and rumble from the 22 to halfway. Barrett again goes for the chip kick and it looks to work again - but there’s a ricochet Australia’s way and it sets up great counterattacking play in broken field. The left wing is the focus of attack and there are gold jerseys in support of the breaking Koroibete. Ikitau tries to go alone, but he ends up isolated, and eventually Lolesio is forced to kick to the opposite corner and the try goes begging with a Kellaway knock-on. Play is called back for a penalty - Australia kick to the corner.
35 mins: The Australian lineout just about works and the forwards get to work with a series of short drives - Swinton almost punches a hole, Valetini threatens... but then he tries the miracle offload and gifts possession to New Zealand on their 22. That was dumb footy.
34 mins: When the scrum finally settles McDermott snipes brightly to give the Wallabies some go-forward. Kerevi makes metres, and there’s some momentum building, but it fizzles out and play is called back for an offside. This has all become scrappy and disjointed - which suits the 14-man All Blacks.
33 mins: Australia have a scrum feed on halfway, but it takes an age and needs resetting twice. That allows Hooper to return, patched-up, wearing a scrum cap.
32 mins: New Zealand slowing the game down, as you’d expect, looking to get to half-time and regroup. They won’t enjoy knocking on a lineout on halfway, contested well by Philip.
30 mins: Weber and Jordan combine from the back of the scrum to move NZ downfield. Barrett kicks crossfield again, knowing there’s a penalty advantage, and after the ball flies dead play is recalled.
RED CARD! (J Barrett, 28)
Wow! That was a huge call against the All Blacks. The incident itself is debatable with it being Barrett’s ball to collect, but to the letter of the law it is a penalty for dangerous or reckless play. However, it seems tough to upgrade it from a yellow to a red. That said, in this year’s TRC a red card means New Zealand can replace Barrett after 20 minutes. Can the Wallabies capitalise either side of half-time.
Updated
28 mins: Oooh, the TMO is now involved. From the restart Australia kick high to J Barrett. The fullback leaps incredibly high, but as he comes through his foot is raised and his boot catches the chasing Koroibete in his face.
27 mins: Oh my. that was not a difficult penalty, and Lolesio has missed! That was 25m out in line with the left-hand upright. Awful awful kick in perfect conditions. Deary me.
26 mins: Slow ball off the lineout so McDermott box kicks. Koroibete does superbly to win the contested mark with Jordan and keep the move rolling. Australia kick again, but it isn’t canny enough and the All Blacks kick clear.
The lineout is good and off the back McDermott is so close to punching a hole in the line before he’s scragged. It sets up good field position though, and that’s reinforced when Slipper is hit off the ball by Laulala and the Wallabies can finally register on the scoreboard.
25 mins: the Australian scrum holds firm near its line and Valetini breaks with ball in hand to set up a solid ruck from which the Wallabies can kick clear. They’re helped by an offside against Papalii and the ball is soon on halfway.
24 mins: McDermott box kicks, J BArrett takes it well, hands off to Ioane, and he scorches through the line and into broken field 20m from the line. Retallick is up in support until he’s felled like a giant redwood. Still the black jerseys pour forward like a menacing oil slick on the golden shore, but the Wallabies hold firm and force the ball out on the right wing.
Michael Hooper leaves the field with a cut eyebrow, for a change. A stray Retallick size 25.
22 mins: The kick to halfway results in a slick AB lineout and the ball moving from right to left through hands - but once it nears the left touchline it’s stolen in contact by Banks and Australia can regroup on their 22.
20 mins: They’re very very good, the All Blacks. Already today we’ve seen them defend resolutely, kick intelligently, and attack with creativity. By comparison, Australia look like a blunt instrument. Not short of effort, but miles behind in terms of nous and game awareness. For another exhibit, the All Blacks yet again kick away possession from the restart, absorb a long series of mundane phases, and then win the breakdown turnover.
TRY! Australia 0-13 New Zealand (J Barrett, 18)
New Zealand’s forwards get to work on the right edge just inside their own half. B Barrett spots a flat defensive line so dabs a grubber through for the speedster Jordan to fly onto. He approaches the gold fullback - does he have support? Of course he does - J Barrett is on the inside shoulder to burn to the posts.
That was absolutely brilliant rugby.
B Barrett kicks the easy extras.
🤯 Crazy good!
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) September 5, 2021
🎥: @skysportnz #AUSvNZL pic.twitter.com/6oomOTiJTz
Updated
16 mins: again, the All Blacks are happy to kick away possession from the restart. Koroibete hits the line hard in reply, so does Banks, but after he’s tackled everything gets messy and New Zealand force the turnover and kick downfield. Australia try to hit back down the left through Koroibete but then as soon as the ball goes infield it’s slow and the visiting defensive line is up like an iron curtain.
Penalty! Australia 0-6 New Zealand (Barrett, 15)
The All Blacks accept the easy three points.
13 mins: An even scrum just about ends Australia’s way, but McDermott is soon in a world of pain as he tries to snipe against a defensive line flying up onto him. The turnover is immediate and the kick downfield is chased at rapid pace and the Wallabies can only usher the ball into touch. The New Zealand lineout is solid and they can build 15m out. A breakdown penalty is taken quickly by Savea and he smashes his way 5m from the line. There are at least two further penalties at the resulting ruck and Australia are warned they’re risking a yellow card with such professional fouls.
11 mins: New Zealand secure the restart despite the sun in their eyes, but they can only hold firm until Weber box kicks. Banks climbs to mark strongly and set up the counter on the right flank. Australia go through multiple phases without crossing the gainline, and after ten head-down bum-up efforts an All Black hand knocks on trying to smother McDermott’s delivery. Plenty of industry, little penetration from the hosts.
Penalty! Australia 0-3 New Zealand (Barrett, 9)
Barrett calmly chips the ball over the dot. New Zealand on the board.
9 mins: Scrappy lineout, but safe, from Fainga’a. Australia try to run through midfield but the All Black line is too strong and after the Wallabies go sideways Banks is caught at the bottom of the breakdown and Barrett can shoot for goal from 30m out, 10m in from the left touchline.
7 mins: And now a scrum penalty to the Wallabies for the front row collapsing. New Zealand looked set for a score of some description, but now Australia are back near halfway.
5 mins: Good kick from Barrett, solid lineout, powerful maul, the All Blacks are rumbling... Barrett improvises, kicking long crossfield from right to left. Ioane gathers and passes back inside in one motion, but Australia win the breakdown. Play is recalled for an earlier NZ penalty. The kick to the corner results in another safe lineout and rolling maul - but Australia gain some traction and the ABs end up spinning their wheels in the right corner until the penalty is awarded to the Wallabies. A welcome win for the home pack - Swain in particular earning plenty of credit.
4 mins: No try. Play has been called back for an offside gold jersey at the ruck that Kerevi just careered through. Major warning for the Kiwi defence.
4 mins: The All Blacks keep things short for a few phases until B Barrett chips to the right corner. The Wallabies collect safely and dig their way out of congestion - and then they explode! Welcome back Samu Kerevi! He blasts his way through the breakdown and 30m beyond halfway. Koroibete is on his inside shoulder and accepts the well-timed pass to power the remaining metres to the line... but does he touch down? Stacks for the TMO to look at it with the grounding, offside in the build-up, and maybe a forward pass too - but that could be the opening try...
3 mins: The set-piece has not started well for the Wallabies. After the lineout was stolen the first scrum feed - for New Zealand - ends with a penalty in their favour.
2 mins: It is unfamiliar, but not unwelcome to watch a Test in such sunny conditions. Australia’s newish gold jerseys really sparkle in the Perth light. They don’t help with set pieces though as Fainga’a misses his first lineout throw after the All Blacks were happy to kick possession away early after the kick-off.
Kick-off!
Australia drop the ball on the centre spot and Bledisloe III is underway!
Lots of stares at the end of the haka. There’s going to be plenty of feeling in this one.
Rugby does pageantry well. Even in broad daylight the welcome to country and anthems were a terrific spectacle. And now a haka; we are being spoiled.
The more experienced skipper Michael Hooper jogs out with his gold shirted troops following behind.
Both XVs assemble for the welcome to country and national anthems.
Out come New Zealand, top to toe in black. A smattering of Kiwis make them feel welcome. Ardie Savea puffs out his cheeks at the front of the mob on his first match as captain.
Gidday Optus 👋#AUSvNZL pic.twitter.com/6inFfJgZd5
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) September 5, 2021
Updated
Dave Rennie has spoken to the TV guys and mentioned there’s been a focus on starting well after half-time, and avoiding the costly 10-15 minute drop-offs. Other key words include brutality, accuracy, and foot-on-the-throat. The Wallabies are grumpy.
Updated
There’s just enough time left to whet your appetites with Bret Harris’ scene-setter.
Good to be here 👊 pic.twitter.com/6i6DgWWSP9
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) September 5, 2021
It is bee-yuuuuuu-di-full in Western Australia right now. This match will be played beneath a cloudless sky in temperatures around 20C. There is a whisper of breeze, but nothing like the Eden Park gales. No excuses.
Nic White was mic’d up during the warm-ups, and the major takeaway - through deep breaths - was the Wallabies are keen not to make mistakes this afternoon and avoid inviting pressure upon themselves, as they did in Auckland.
In the history books this fixture will appear as a straightforward third Bledisloe Cup fixture, but plenty has gone on behind the scenes since game two, and it has left Rugby Australia furious.
Don has logged on from beautiful Dubbo, eager for the action to get underway. “Waiting for the game today reminds me of being at school and being told by the teacher to come to his office after the class. It meant a sure caning was ahead. The time passing was worse than the actual punishment. Fortunately times have changed and Australians are only caned in rugby these days.”
Thanks Don, although I am now slightly concerned you may have PTSD.
All Blacks XV
Ian Foster has been forced into three childbirth-related changes, and select a new skipper, but the All Blacks XV retains a formidable look.
There’s only one alteration to the pack with Scott Barrett replacing Samuel Whitelock in the second row. In the captain’s absence Ardie Savea will lead his country for the first time.
It’s a revamped backline with Brad Weber getting the nod over TJ Perenara as Aaron Smith’s understudy, while Beauden Barrett is the impossibly good replacement for Richie Mo’unga at five-eighth.
Behind them there’s further reshuffling with Anton Lienert-Brown‘s return from injury at centre shifting Rieko Ioane to the left wing in place of Sevu Reece. While at fullback Jordie Barrett starts ahead of Damian McKenzie.
“We are ready, and the team is really determined to finish off this block of Tests against Australia with a top performance,” Foster said. “We’ve had a really unique situation going into this Test, with quarantine back in New Zealand and a ‘soft’ quarantine here in Perth, but the work that has gone in preparing the players has been outstanding, so when the whistle goes on Sunday, we’ll be ready.”
Our 2️⃣3️⃣ to face Australia on Sunday 🔥
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) September 3, 2021
6:00pm kick-off NZT pic.twitter.com/QYgvBeK46y
Wallabies XV
Following the mauling in Auckland Dave Rennie has resisted the urge to make wholesale changes. There’s only one alteration to the pack with hooker Folau Fainga’a making it an all-Brumbies front row while Brandon Paenga-Amosa nurses a neck injury.
In the backs the only changes are in the centres, which has been a problem area for Australia in recent Tests. Samu Kerevi is a significant recall and he features for the first time in two years alongside Len Ikitau. Matt To’omua’s in-out run continues with an out, while Hunter Paisami is attending the birth of his child.
“We were really disappointed with the last outing; we sort of played pretty well in the first 40 minutes but you can’t give up soft points to the All Blacks and we got hurt from it,” Rennie said during the week. “We’re a lot better side than that scoreline suggested so we’re keen for a positive response.”
💪 #YourTeam for today!
— Wallabies (@wallabies) September 5, 2021
🏟 Optus Stadium, Perth
⏰ 2:00pm AWST / 4:00pm AEST Sun Sep 5
🎟 https://t.co/NXKrRrzS9j
📺 @9Gem & @StanSportAU #NZLvAUS #WAllabies #BledisloeCup #TRC @eToroAU @CadburyAU pic.twitter.com/JL94ZzVTFu
Preamble
Hello everybody and welcome to live coverage of the Wallabies v the All Blacks from Optus Stadium in Perth. The third and final match in the Bledisloe Cup series, and fourth fixture of this year’s Rugby Championship, kicks-off at 2pm local time (4pm AEST / 6pm NZST).
New Zealand already have the Bledisloe Cup sewn up for the gazillionth year in a row following back-to-back victories at Eden Park, but that doesn’t mean this is a dead rubber. With The Rugby Championship now taking centre stage there’s all to play for in the unfamiliar surrounds of Perth’s magnificent Optus Stadium.
The Wallabies have been licking their wounds since the second of those Auckland defeats, frustrated with performances on the field and annoyed with New Zealand Rugby off it. On home soil Australia will be keen to assert themselves.
The All Blacks will not be at full strength with arguably the team’s three most important players all remaining on the Shaky Isles with their partners in the late stages of pregnancy. Fortunately Ian Foster needed only to call the Barrett household for reinforcements.
I’ll be back with more shortly, but if you would like to join in, you can reach me by email or Twitter (@JPHowcroft).
Stage is set ☀️#AUSvNZL pic.twitter.com/fqyLpJIFiJ
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) September 5, 2021
Updated
