The 2024 Rugby Championship match between Australia and New Zealand, held on September 21, concluded with a narrow victory for the All Blacks, who triumphed 31-28 in a gripping contest. This encounter marked another chapter in the storied rivalry of the Bledisloe Cup, as Australia sought to end their prolonged losing streak against New Zealand. Despite their efforts, the Wallabies faced challenges that reflected their inconsistent performance throughout the tournament .
New Zealand survived a thrilling Australia comeback to cling on to a narrow victory in Sydney and continue their stronghold over the Bledisloe Cup.
With both sides looking to salvage difficult Rugby Championship campaigns, the All Blacks started fast and surged into a 21-0 lead as they ran rampant in the first 15 minutes. A further try from Ardie Savea before half-time suggested that Scott Robertson’s visitors would pull clear in the second half to incflict more punishment on a wounded Wallabies side still searching for direction.
But the hosts swelled in the second half, with their bench making a significant impact to swing momentum their way. Keeping the All Blacks to just a single Damian McKenzie penalty after the interval, late tries from Hunter Paisami and Tom Wright moved Australia to within a score as they threatened to produce a remarkable, unexpected fightback.
After dominating the first half, rampantly running in four tries to lead 28-7 after 26 minutes to silence the 68,061 crowd, Damian McKenzie’s 45th-minute penalty proved the All Blacks’ only points of the second half.
It seems no matter what they do the All Blacks can’t solve their final-quarter meltdowns.
This time they buckled to concede two yellow cards to Anton Lienert-Brown and Caleb Clarke to cast themselves under huge pressure to scramble two players short for the tense closing stages.
History will show it’s another year without the cup. And I must admit at 21-0 I persoanlly thought w were looking at 60+ to NZ. The Wallabies rediscovered some belief, rediscovered some aggro and skill and I rediscovered my love for the team. I’ll take that from a defeat any day of the week.
GreenandGoldRugby.com (G&GR) is the home on the web for passionate followers of Australian rugby. We are unashamedly focused on two elements of that statement: Australian and Rugby. You’ll find no other sport or country’s interest our site.
Read more
Chengdu Open: Adrian Mannarino pasts Yi Zhou Government offer free at-home COVID-19 testSarah H
Also on site :
- Fuel trucking company faces penalties in state pollution lawsuit
- BREAKING Carlo Ancelotti handed one year prison sentence for tax fraud
- SF Giants broadcaster drops perfect radio call of walk-off inside-the-park homer