The All Blacks held off a late comeback from the Wallabies to secure a 31-28 victory in Sydney, winning the Bledisloe Cup for the 21st consecutive year. After a blistering start saw New Zealand run in three tries in the first 15 minutes, the Wallabies fought back in the second half to push the game to the wire.
New Zealand’s fast start was marked by tries from Will Jordan, Rieko Ioane, and Caleb Clarke, all within the opening quarter. Their high-tempo attack left Australia reeling, as they raced to a 21-0 lead. Clarke’s try came after powering through two Wallabies defenders, capping off a slick passage of play. Despite their early dominance, New Zealand struggled to maintain that momentum for the remainder of the game.
The Wallabies responded with a try from Fraser McReight, breaking through after a set-piece play. Another quick reply came through Matt Faessler just before halftime, reducing the gap to 28-14 as the All Blacks headed into the break.
The second half continued to expose New Zealand’s scoring troubles, as they managed only three points while the Wallabies chipped away at their lead. Hunter Paisami’s try and Tom Wright’s late effort brought Australia within three points, making the final moments tense for the visitors. However, the All Blacks were able to hold on, as a knock-on by the Wallabies ended their hopes of reclaiming the trophy.
T.J. Perenara, who came on as an impact player in the second half, made a crucial try-saving tackle, helping to keep the All Blacks in control when the game appeared to be slipping away.
Despite their second-half struggles, the All Blacks’ early blitz was enough to seal the win and retain the Bledisloe Cup, continuing their two-decade-long dominance in the historic rivalry. The Wallabies’ quest to end their drought in the competition remains unfulfilled, as they were unable to capitalise on their late surge.
The All Blacks will host the Wallabies for the second game of the Bledisloe Cup series at Wellington’s Sky Stadium next Saturday, 28 September 2024, where they will look to complete a series sweep in front of their home crowd.