The All Blacks triumphed over the Wallabies with a score of 33-13 in their second Bledisloe Cup test held in Wellington, marking their last home game of the year. This victory ends a six-year winless streak for the All Blacks in Wellington and concludes their Rugby Championship campaign with three wins and three losses.
Team captain Scott Barrett expressed his relief at finally winning in Wellington. He noted, “I am really pleased to reverse the curse. We didn’t start too well but finished strong, showing grit on defense while holding out the Australians.”
The All Blacks, who had not scored in the final quarter in previous matches of the Rugby Championship, broke that pattern with second-half tries from Tamaiti Williams and another from Clarke.
The game also celebrated former captain Sam Cane’s milestone as he played in his 100th test. Cane reflected on the moment, stating, “I feel really lucky to have this moment at home in New Zealand.” He praised the younger loose forwards for their impressive performances throughout the tournament.
The match marked the final appearances for both Cane and TJ Perenara in the All Blacks jersey. Barrett acknowledged their significant contributions to the team, highlighting their dedication and sacrifices made on the field.
On the other hand, Wallabies captain Harry Wilson acknowledged that while the team had some promising moments, their campaign was disappointing. He remarked, “We had a few chances at the end to score but didn’t capitalize on them.”
The Wallabies started strong, with flanker Fraser McReight scoring an early try in the eighth minute, converting to lead 7-0. Despite this, the All Blacks quickly responded, with Sevu Reece scoring their first try. A penalty kick from Noah Lolesio later put the Wallabies ahead again at 10-5.
The contest intensified, with the All Blacks taking the lead for the first time thanks to Will Jordan’s try. Just before halftime, Caleb Clarke extended their lead to 19-13 after the All Blacks opted for a risky play rather than a penalty kick.
In the second half, the All Blacks continued to apply pressure, ultimately securing victories with tries from Tamaiti Williams and Clarke, bringing the final score to 33-13. Despite the Wallabies’ efforts towards the end, they were unable to score again, sealing a strong performance for the All Blacks in their Rugby Championship campaign.