Bledisloe Cup pain continues for Wallabies as All Blacks turn the second half screws
Updated . First published at
WELLINGTON: Australia's Bledisloe Cup misery has continued after the All Blacks smashed their Sky Stadium hoodoo on Saturday night.
New Zealand had already locked the cup away for another year by beating the Wallabies in Sydney but Australia had the opportunity to end another unwanted streak in Wellington.
The Wallabies had not beaten the All Blacks in New Zealand since 2001 and that ugly record extended as the hosts turned the second half screws for a 33-13 win.
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Taniela Tupou of Australia reacts after an injury. Getty
The victory snapped New Zealand's five game winless streak at the venue (two draws, three losses).
"Really pleased to reverse the curse," All Blacks captain Scott Barrett said on Stan Sport.
It was also a happy farewell to All Blacks stalwarts Sam Cane and TJ Perenara who were playing their final Tests on home soil.
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The match was former captain Cane's 100th Test.
The Wallabies have finished last in the Rugby Championship with a 1-5 record.
"Obviously gutted, it's not the result we wanted. We struggled with possession in the second half," Australia captain Harry Wilson said on Stan Sport.
"New Zealand were defending really well, they had 15 men on their feet. We haven't got the results we wanted. I feel like we improved but we need to win."
Australia scored first through Fraser McReight and only trailed 19-13 at halftime before New Zealand were roared home in front of a capacity crowd.
"I thought we created a few things early but what we had a lot of frustration in that first half was slow ball," Schmidt told Stan Sport.
"We were digging ball out from amongst bodies on our side and that was really frustrating because it broke our rhythm. We started really strongly, got that try and then missed a couple of chances.
"They connect so well back off the sideline a couple of times running back laterally and then connecting up with square runners.
"Caleb Clarke doing it, Will Jordan doing it and we didn't quite stay connected. They run some pretty good guys in screens in those areas so we've got to be able to push past them and still make those tackles.
Caleb Clarke celebrates with Sevu Reece and Beauden Barrett of New Zealand. Getty
"But just talking to Scott Barrett there, we made them work for it and we're going to keep working for ourselves and make sure opponents do have to work for anything they get and we try to get a little bit more.
"Certainly the start was really positive. I felt we carried really strongly. Our carry/clean game was really strong."
New Zealand 33 (Caleb Clarke 2, Sevu Reece, Will Jordan, Tamaiti Williams tries; Beauden Barrett 4 conversions) Australia 13 (Fraser McReight try; Noah Lolesio conversion, 2 penalties). HT: 19-13
