All Blacks v Wallabies recap: All Blacks survive late Wallabies’ comeback to retain Bledisloe Cup
The All Blacks beat the Wallabies 31-28 to retain the Bledisloe Cup in Sydney.
Christopher Reive
That will do it for tonight's blog. Thanks for tuning in. I'll leave you with Liam Napier's report from Sydney.
Enjoy the rest of your Saturday night.
Christopher Reive
Player stats
Harry Wilson made a game-high 22 tackles. Ardie Savea made the most for the All Blacks with 17
Tom Wright made a game-high 131 running metres. Will Jordan made the most for the All Blacks with 87
Cortez Ratima beat a game-high 7 defenders. Wright and Noah Lolosio both beat 4 for the Wallabies.
Cameron McMillan
Christopher Reive
Christopher Reive
Team stats
The All Blacks conceded 18 turnovers to the Wallabies' 16 - both teams winning 8 each.
The Wallabies made 168 tackles, missing 33. The All Blacks made 145, missing 25.
The Wallabies conceded 11 penalties to the All Blacks' 9, though the All Blacks had two yellow cards.
Both teams scored four tries - and neither kicker missed (McKenzie 5/5, Lolosio 4/4)
Christopher Reive
NZ Herald liveblog man of the match goes to Wallace Sititi. He was active on both sides of the ball, took plenty of strong carries, troubled the Wallabies' lineout, and was disruptive at the breakdown.
Savea, Ratima and Vaa'i were also very good.
Christopher Reive
What looked like it was going to be a hiding ultimately turned out to be a one-score win for the All Blacks, which will definitely give fans and pundits something to talk about over the coming week.
The All Blacks looked outstanding in the first half and could have been ahead by more than the 28-14 advantage they had.
They opted for a shot at goal from a penalty 22m out but right in front, and that was the only time they troubled the scorers in the second half.
Defensively, they had a few bad moments - allowing the Wallabies a couple of soft tries in the first half, and struggling at times as the game broke open late in the piece.
But a win is a win and the All Blacks lock the Bledisloe Cup away for another year.
ALL BLACKS SURVIVE
Christopher Reive
It's 31-28 to the visitors.
They have still not scored a point in the final 20 minutes of Rugby Championship test this season
Christopher Reive
Wallabies take the restart but the All Blacks hold the ball carrier up - Savea and Perenara doing to work there.
That'll be it.
Christopher Reive
The All Blacks have scored three points since half time.
Lolosio converts
Christopher Reive
All Blacks lead is just 31-28 now and the Wallabies will have about a minute to try and win this.
WRIGHT PLACE, WRIGHT TIME
Christopher Reive
The Wallabies' fullback finds himself in space and he stretches out to give the hosts some hope.
Game on.
Christopher Reive
Try-saving tackle from Ioane out wide.
Christopher Reive
Wallabies will have a go here, now inside the 22
Christopher Reive
Two minutes remaining
Christopher Reive
Lineout is taken in by the All Blacks but there's no urgency to get it clear and the Wallabies tie it up to earn a scrum.
Christopher Reive
Lienert-Brown is back out there now.
Christopher Reive
Harry Plummer makes his debut for Reece.
Christopher Reive
Penalty All Blacks - Sititi gets over the ball.
I think the All Blacks have found their no 6 of the future. What a game from the young man.
Christopher Reive
Looks like the TMO has spotted a high shot in the build-up from Tosi - and fair enough.
Wallabies kick to touch 5m out.
Christopher Reive
Forward pass from the Wallabies and the All Blacks are let off the hook.
Christopher Reive
Not great distance on the touch-finder but the Wallabies have the about just inside All Blacks territory.
Christopher Reive
All Blacks keeping it in close and looking to protect possession with two in the bin.
But that doesn't work as the Wallabies get the penalty at the breakdown.
Sititi looks to have done a knee injury and Plummer is the only available player on the bench - but the All Blacks No 6 is getting some strapping so it looks like he'll stay out there.
Christopher Reive
Scrum to the All Blacks on halfway. Good scrum and Jordan carries forward.
Christopher Reive
Wallabies go over but they're pulled up for a knock-on in the build-up.
It was clear and a bit surprising it wasn't called immediately.
Christopher Reive
Horribly forward pass from Darry before Clarke gets sent to the bin for a silly play. throwing out his arm and knocking a pass away. Cynical and the All Blacks will finish with a man in the bin.
Christopher Reive
Wallabies with a little chip kick into no-man's land. McKenzie does enough and the All Blacks go again.
Christopher Reive
Sititi challenges the lineout again and gets a hand to it but the Wallabies hang onto it.
Christopher Reive
10 minutes to go. All Blacks have about 5 minutes left with a man in the bin.
Christopher Reive
Pasilio Tosi on for Tyrel Lomax.
Christopher Reive
Well, they were. But then Langi Gleeson got over the ball at the breakdown and the Wallabies get the ball back.
Christopher Reive
All Blacks inside the 22 and looking dangerous.
Christopher Reive
Wallabies back on the ball inside their own half. They put up a contestable kick but it's well collected by McKenzie.
Christopher Reive
Sam Darry into the action for Vaa'i
Christopher Reive
McKenzie finds touch 10m from halfway.
Christopher Reive
Penalty All Blacks. Jacobson gets over the ball at the breakdown.
Christopher Reive
Wallabies straight back on the attack as they swing it through the hands. They're 5m out again.
Lolosio converts
Christopher Reive
31-21 All Blacks lead after 67 minutes.
PAISAMI SCORES; LIENERT-BROWN SIN-BINNED
Christopher Reive
Hunter Paisami with too much skill from 5m out, and Lienert-Brown is sent to the bin for being offside - a case of too many All Blacks penalties.
Christopher Reive
Wallabies just a couple of metres out.
Christopher Reive
Wallabies on the charge now; Salakai-Loto with a strong run inside the 22
Christopher Reive
Jacobson on for Cane.
Christopher Reive
All Blacks collect the lineout. After a couple of set-up phases, Perenara tries to kick clear but it's charged down.
It lands for McKenzie, who thumps it clear.
Christopher Reive
Wallabies win the lineout just inside their own half and Kellaway makes a good run before putting a kick into touch on the All Blacks 22
Christopher Reive
Sititi steals another one and Perenara slams the clearance kick a long way downfield. What a kick.
Christopher Reive
Aumua on for Taylor.
Christopher Reive
Very kickable, but they'll go to the sideline.
Christopher Reive
Penalty to the Wallabies - Tamaiti Williams called for a no-arms tackle.
Christopher Reive
McKenzie scrambles it into touch and the Wallabies take over.
Lolosio with a half break into the 22
Christopher Reive
Good lineout and the All Blacks are punching forward - but they lose it again - Savea has it ripped away at the breakdown - and the Wallabies kick downfield.
Christopher Reive
McKenzie finds tough about 35 out from the Wallabies' line.
Christopher Reive
Huge All Blacks scrum and they get a penalty.
Christopher Reive
Ratima goes off after a great 58-minute shift. TJ Perenara takes his place.
Christopher Reive
And the Wallabies knock it on at the back.
All Blacks get the ball back.
Christopher Reive
So we'll go all the way back into All Blacks territory for a scrum.
Christopher Reive
The All Blacks go the length of the field; McKenzie takes on the defence and gets into space. He flicks it on the inside to Jordan, who finds Taylor and Ratima finishes it.
But it's ruled out as McKenzie's pass to Jordan is ruled forward.
Christopher Reive
Wallabies charge forward but the ball is left behind and the All Blacks take over.
Christopher Reive
56 minutes gone. All Blacks lead 31-14.
Christopher Reive
Another knock on by the All Blacks at the breakdown and the Wallabies have a scrum in enemy territory.
Christopher Reive
Wallabies on the attack, working towards the All Blacks 22
Christopher Reive
All Blacks lineout is messy and the Wallabies get the ball back.
There's a knock-on called, and Wallabies halfback White gets told off by the referee for offering his advice too often.
Christopher Reive
Wallabies get the turnover and kick it well clear, finding the sideline inside All Blacks territory.
Christopher Reive
Penalty to the All Blacks for no clear release. Kick goes to the corner, but about 15m out.
Christopher Reive
Good drop out and the All Blacks start again on halfway.
Christopher Reive
Savea gets over but he's held up. Great defence.
Christopher Reive
They go to the front and now are taking carries one off the ruck.
Christopher Reive
All Blacks get a penalty again and it's going to be a lineout on the Wallabies' 22.
Christopher Reive
All Blacks get the ball back through some desperation from Cane. Lienert-Brown with a beautiful kick but McKenzie's pass at the end of it doesn't find the mark.
Christopher Reive
Wallabies come away with the lineout and they take possession inside All Blacks' territory.
Christopher Reive
Lineout on halfway goes to the back. Jordan drops it onto the boot and the Wallabies kick clear through Nic White.
Christopher Reive
Wallabies show patience, but Savea gets over the ball and it's a penalty to the All Blacks.
Christopher Reive
Wallabies find a bit of space and work up to the All Blacks' 22
Christopher Reive
Vaa'i collects the restart. All Blacks kick deep; Wright brings it back over halfway.
Easy for McKenzie
Christopher Reive
All Blacks lead 31-14 after 45 minutes.
Christopher Reive
Another penalty to the All Blacks. 22m out, McKenzie will take the shot.
Christopher Reive
All Blacks playing under advantage after a big scrum, before getting another penalty further up the pitch.
They kick to touch on the Wallabies' 22
Christopher Reive
Any way, Koroibete knocks it on and the All Blacks have a scrum on their own 22
Team stats
Cameron McMillan
Metres gained
All Blacks 380
Wallabies 234
Tackles
All Blacks 36
Australia 92
Missed tackles
All Blacks 7
Australia 25
Penalties conceded
All Blacks 4
Australia 3
Possession
All Blacks 61%
Australia 39%
Christopher Reive
Tamaiti Williams on for Ethan de Groot, too
We're under way again
Christopher Reive
Anton Lienert-Brown on for Jordie Barrett.
Player stats
Cameron McMillan
Defenders beaten
Cortiz Ratima 6
Will Jordan 3
Five other ABs 2
Tackles
Harry Wilson 14
Matt Faessler 10
Jeremy Williams 9
Metres gained
Tom Wright 98
Caleb Clarke 67
Rieko Ioane 47
Christopher Reive
It feels like that half was one-way traffic, but the score doesn't really reflect the All Blacks' superiority. A couple of soft tries for the hosts, and some good discipline inside their own 22 is keeping them in this.
Jordie Barrett looked a bit worse for wear at the end of the half, so don't be surprised if we see a change in the midfield after the break.
He, Wallace Sitit, Tupou Vaa'i and Will Jordan have been great so far today.
HALF TIME
Christopher Reive
All Blacks 28 (Jordan, Ioane, Clarke, Savea tries; McKenzie 4 cons)
Wallabies 14 (McReight, Faessler tries; Lolosio 2 cons)
Christopher Reive
Debatable call but hey. Let's have another scrum.
Wallabies take it away cleanly and put the ball into touch to end the half.
Christopher Reive
Jordie Barrett crosses out wide, but it's ruled out as Reece knocked it on in the build-up (allegedly)
Christopher Reive
All Blacks about 15m away.
Christopher Reive
The kick to the line and take in a disrupted throw.
Christopher Reive
Penalty All Blacks. Reece with some good work at the breakdown.
Christopher Reive
McKenzie shoots through a gap and looks to send Reece away but they can't execute and Reece knocks it on.
The rugby Gods seem to be against Reece today; he's had several half-chances go begging.
Christopher Reive
Wallabies plugging away after the restart and kick downfield to Will Jordan.
All Blacks v Australia line-ups
All Blacks
1 Ethan de Groot, 2 Codie Taylor, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 4 Scott Barrett (captain), 5 Tupou Vaa’i, 6 Wallace Sititi, 7 Sam Cane, 8 Ardie Savea, 9 Cortez Ratima, 10 Damian McKenzie, 11 Caleb Clarke, 12 Jordie Barrett, 13 Rieko Ioane, 14 Sevu Reece, 15. Will Jordan
Bench: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Tamaiti Williams, 18 Pasilio Tosi, 19 Sam Darry, 20 Luke Jacobson, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Anton Lienert-Brown, 23 Harry Plummer
Australia
1 Angus Bell, 2 Matt Faessler, 3 Taniela Tupou, 4 Nick Frost, 5 Jeremy Williams, 6 Rob Valetini, 7 Fraser McReight, 8 Harry Wilson (captain), 9 Nic White, 10 Noah Lolesio, 11 Marika Koroibete, 12 Hunter Paisami, 13 Len Ikitau, 14 Andrew Kellaway, 15 Tom Wright.
Bench: 16 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 17 James Slipper, 18 Allan Alaalatoa, 19 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 20 Langi Gleeson, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Tom Lynagh, 23 Dylan Pietsch.
All Blacks v Australia - how to follow the action
For live commentary of All Blacks v Australia, join Elliott Smith on Newstalk ZB, Gold Sport and iHeartRadio.
The Alternative Commentary Collective will have live commentary from James McOnie & Tony Lyall from 5.45pm on Sky Sport 9 and iHeartRadio.
You can watch the game on Sky Sport 1 and it will be livestreaming on Sky Sport Now.
You can also find live updates at nzherald.co.nz.