Australia v New Zealand LIVE: Latest score and updates as All ...
Both the Wallabies and All Blacks are in need of a win as they meet in Sydney
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Australia and New Zealand will look to salvage difficult Rugby Championship campaigns as they meet in the first of back-to-back Bledisloe Cup clashes.
Joe Schmidt’s hosts are reeling after a record defeat in Argentina that raised yet more tough questions over the state of the Wallabies. While boosted by the return of a couple of key figures from injury, a tournament wooden spoon will beckon if the home side are beaten today ahead of a trip to Wellington next week.
The All Blacks, meanwhile, were again narrowly squeezed out by the Springboks in their last outing, continuing a run of defeats to South Africa that includes last year’s World Cup final. Scott Robertson’s side are out of the chase for a title they have won in seven of the last eight years, and will now focus on holding on to a Bledisloe Cup that has been in their possession since 2003.
Follow all the latest from Sydney in our live blog below:
The All Blacks haven’t got their red zone intensity or accuracy right in this half, another opportunity squandered with Allan Alaalatoa seemingly the man with the pinching paws. Australia’s defence has been much, much better since the interval.
Harry Latham-Coyle21 September 2024 08:27
TJ Perenara replaces Ratima at scrum half. An excellent outing from the youngster.
Harry Latham-Coyle21 September 2024 08:25
And the All Blacks go coast-to-coast to capitalise! But a forward pass will rule it out!
Oh, it was a thing of much magnificence. Damian McKenzie burns Rob Valetini and conects with Will Jordan, who shimmies and shakes a defender. Codie Taylor joins his Crusaders chum and shows his speed, picking his pass perfectly to Cortez Ratima, who finishes superbly.
But Valetini recovered so, so well to snare McKenzie’s shirt, turning the fly half as he passes and thus forcing his toss to Jordan forward. The TMO calls down just as McKenzie prepares to strike his conversion: NO TRY!
Harry Latham-Coyle21 September 2024 08:22
Lukhan Salakaia-Loto is thrown into the Wallabies tight five, Nick Frost off from the second row. Can the Wallabies force their way back into the contest?
So nearly! Harry Wilson makes a half-break but can’t quite keep his feet for long enough to find a teammate with his pass.
Harry Latham-Coyle21 September 2024 08:21
Nic White gets a warning from referee Karl Dickson after screaming at the official about...well, I’m not quite sure. It’s Australia’s scrum for a knock on - Dickson lays down the law, though, to White, one former lippy number nine informing a kindred spirit that any further chatback will bring a penalty.
Harry Latham-Coyle21 September 2024 08:19
Still we wait for the first try of the half. Another Wallabies replacement: after three years out of the side, hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa makes his international return, taking the place of Matt Faessler. Tamaiti Williams is on at loosehead for New Zealand.
Superb work from Harry Wilson to end New Zealand’s latest exploration of the Wallabies 22 - the Australia skipper pilfers possession and allows his side to clear.
Harry Latham-Coyle21 September 2024 08:17
The All Blacks forwards pile on the pressure and has Ardie Savea managed to ground? The number eight had been upright in his carry but such is his strength that he might just have writhed free...or not! Held up briliantly by Nic White, Noah Lolesio and Harry Wilson. Karl Dickson was quick his on-field call, and spot on, as a TMO check confirms.
Harry Latham-Coyle21 September 2024 08:14
A history-making moment - James Slipper replaces Angus Bell and becomes the most-capped Wallabies player of all-time, surpassing George Gregan.
Harry Latham-Coyle21 September 2024 08:12
A bizarre passage! Both teams throw the ball away: Australia first allow Sam Cane to nip in as three Wallabies watch a bouncing ball but don’t act upon it, affording the flanker the time to nip in. Anton Lienert-Brown’s clever grubber sends Sevu Reece onwards and his pass to Damian McKenzie is sharp - unlike the fly half’s blind ball out the back door that evades a teammate. Curious!
Harry Latham-Coyle21 September 2024 08:12
A nasty bounce threatens to cause undue stress for Noah Lolesio after Will Jordan had kicked slightly aimlessly ahead, but the fly half composes himself and passes to Nic White, who clears his lines well.
Harry Latham-Coyle21 September 2024 08:10
