The All Blacks triumphed over the Wallabies with a score of 33-13 in the second Bledisloe Cup test held in Wellington, marking their last home game of the year.
This victory breaks 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 relief about securing the win in Wellington after a challenging start, noting the team’s strong finish and defensive effort.
In a notable turn of events, the All Blacks ended a streak of not scoring in the final quarter of their matches during the Rugby Championship, thanks to second-half tries from Tamaiti Williams and Caleb Clarke.
Former captain Sam Cane achieved a milestone, becoming the 13th player in All Blacks history to reach 100 test matches. He expressed gratitude for experiencing this moment at home, praising the performance of younger players who are continually improving.
The test match was also the last for both Cane and teammate TJ Perenara, with Barrett acknowledging their significant contributions to the team.
Wallabies captain Harry Wilson noted that while the team had its moments, the campaign was ultimately disappointing. The Wallabies started strong, with flanker Fraser McReight scoring first, but the All Blacks quickly responded with tries from Sevu Reece and Will Jordan, taking the lead.
As the game progressed, the All Blacks took control, with Williams and Clarke scoring in the second half. Despite a late yellow card for Clarke, the All Blacks maintained their lead, wrapping up the match at 33-13, showcasing one of their stronger performances of the tournament.