All Blacks retain Bledisloe Cup after 'ridiculous' refereeing call breaks Wallabies hearts

Jordie Barrett's try after the fulltime siren following a contentious refereeing decision gave New Zealand a 39-37 win over Australia on Thursday and the Bledisloe Cup for a 20th consecutive year.

New Zealand established big leads in each half — 10-0 after 12 minutes and 31-13 with 25 minutes to play — but the Wallabies rallied each time in a brutal, physical encounter that featured yellow cards and injuries to both teams.

Australia fullback Andrew Kellaway scored twice within five minutes then a long-range penalty goal from replacement scrumhalf Nic White lifted the Wallabies into the lead for the first time with three minutes remaining at 37-34.

The All Blacks waived a late penalty kick to level to go for a winning try from an attacking lineout, and appeared to blow it by conceding a penalty themselves.

But veteran Wallabies flyhalf Bernard Foley took his time with a kick for the sideline with only seconds on the clock, and referee Mathieu Raynal intervened to give the All Blacks a scrum at close range.

The All Blacks duly won the scrum and spread the ball to the right corner for Barrett to score the winner.

It was a bitter result for the Wallabies, who haven't won the annual Bledisloe Cup series since 2002.

"It's probably the most gutting way to finish a game, in my opinion," Australia skipper James Slipper said.

Wallabies coach Dave Rennie has spoken to Stan Sport about the heartbreaking finish and that controversial refereeing call for time wasting,

"I'm gutted. We deserve better. The couple of yellow cards. We were down 31-13. To fight back showed character. Disappointing way to lose it," Rennie said.

The coach then watched replays of French referee Mathieu Raynal dealing with Bernard Foley before giving the All Blacks a scrum.

"I was talking to Bernard. He told the boys to play but there was no real urgency. The clock... I don't know. It lacks a bit of feeling for such an important moment in the game. You would have thought kick it out and let us play the last couple of minutes.

"Tough to take."

Wallabies lock Jed Holloway is extremely gracious after that heartbreaking defeat.

"The referee has a job to do," Holloway says.

"We were not good enough. Props to New Zealand. They are world class. We have to go back to the drawing board."

The All Blacks have retained the Bledisloe Cup in incredible fashion as Jordie Barrett scores a try in the corner for a 39-37 win.

It was only possible after French referee Mathieu Raynal gave the All Blacks a scrum feed after deciding that Bernard Foley was guilty of time wasting.

"Delayed game, essentially. Delayed game on the restart," Sean Maloney says.

Tim Horan has never seen anything like it.

"Ridiculous call from the referee. Bernard Foley was waiting to kick the ball out," Horan says.

Raynal is booed as he leaves the field.

"They are going to break the hearts of the Wallabies," Maloney says.

"We have never seen a Test like it and we have never seen a finish like it. The reign of the All Blacks in the Bledisloe Cup continues."

The Wallabies lead 37-34 after 77 minutes as Nic White nails a monster penalty from near halfway!

Can they hold on?

The All Blacks surge forward but Lalakai Foketi has won a breakdown penalty with 90 seconds to go!

This is incredible as Pete Samu scores a wonderful try in the corner and Bernard Foley slots a sideline conversion to level the scores at 34-34 after 74 minutes.

"Great ball from Koroibete but Pete Samu, how he has still got the legs to do this and get the return pass? Exceptional effort. Astounding," Tim Horan says.

"He still had that energy and that ability. Dave Rennie is suitably impressed!"

The All Blacks lead is now out to 34-27 as Richie Mo'unga slots a critical long range penalty with nine minutes left to play.

What an incredible Test match this is!

The Wallabies are right back in the contest as Andrew Kellaway completes a quickfire double within five minutes to ignite Marvel Stadium.

New Zealand's lead has been cut to 31-27 after 68 minutes.

"Showing three of his best qualities with speed, speed, more speed," Andrew Mehrtens says.

"He has managed to get away from flying Richie Mo'unga and Rieko Ioane. Some achievement."

After being denied in the first half, Andrew Kellaway gets his try after all as the fullback runs a nice line to receive the offload from Bernard Foley and fly to the line.

The All Blacks lead is now 31-20 after 62 minutes.

That is a thing of beauty as Beauden Barrett and Will Jordan combine for a classy New Zealand try.

Jordan caught Barrett's cute chip kick in full flight and changed direction smoothly to skin the Wallabies defence.

"He had a couple of looks. He knew he had time. It was the little chip kick. He looked up to see where the opposition players were," Andrew Mehrtens said.

"Coming down at the same time and he accelerated again. You could talk about that try all night, right back with the communication to Beauden Barrett and the little chip kick over. The timing and execution was exquisite."

You'd think that is the ball game with the All Blacks up 31-13 after 57 minutes.

A win would ensure the Bledisloe Cup remains in NZ hands.