All Blacks Overpower Wallabies 50-19 to Secure 24th Consecutive Bledisloe Cup

Peter Lakai, Tupou Vaa’i, Cam Roigard, Codie Taylor, Leroy Carter, Josh Moorby, and Will Jordan crossed for tries as New Zealand surged past Australia in the second half at Eden Park

Last Updated: 10/10/26 9:34am

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Highlights of New Zealand vs Australia in the first Bledisloe Cup Test at Eden Park

New Zealand will retain the Bledisloe Cup for a 24th straight year after powering to a 50-19 victory over Australia at Eden Park on Saturday.

A tightly contested first half, perhaps even edged by the visitors, saw the All Blacks hold a slender three-point lead at the break as the sides exchanged two tries apiece. Back-rowers Peter Lakai and Tupou Vaa’i crossed for the hosts, while full-back Tom Wright and Number 8 Harry Wilson responded for the Wallabies.

The second half proved an entirely different affair, however, as the All Blacks ran in five unanswered tries through scrum-half Cam Roigard, hooker Codie Taylor, and wings Leroy Carter, Josh Moorby, and Will Jordan.

Fly-half Damian McKenzie orchestrated the attack with precision, adding six conversions and a penalty to finish with a 17-point personal haul.

The result extends New Zealand’s unbeaten run at Eden Park to 30 years, dating back to 1994, while Australia has not held the Bledisloe Cup since 2002.

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New Zealand performed their famous haka before facing Australia at Eden Park

Australia, buoyed by their win over world champions South Africa last month, dominated the opening exchanges and struck first in the eighth minute when full-back Wright cleverly straightened the attack to score the opening try.

Australia’s Tom Wright sped over for the opening try of the Test as the visitors started strong

The aerial battle proved pivotal, and New Zealand gained the upper hand when Jordie Barrett won a contest in the air and fed McKenzie, who sliced through the defence before releasing flanker Lakai to level the scores.

The All Blacks’ width in attack continued to trouble the Wallabies, and the hosts capitalised to take a 14-7 lead in the 16th minute when Vaa’i powered low and hard through the defensive line at the culmination of a sustained multi-phase move.

New Zealand’s Tupou Vaa’i forced his way for their second try and the lead

Ryan Lonergan missed a straightforward penalty for Australia in the 24th minute, but McKenzie made no mistake nine minutes later to extend the advantage to 10 points.

The period before half-time has traditionally favoured New Zealand, yet it was Australia who struck three minutes before the interval, with Ben Donaldson breaching the line and finding Wilson in support to narrow the gap.

Harry Wilson got over to get Australia right into the contest before half-time, but their second half proved disastrous

The Wallabies again emerged with intent after the break, but New Zealand struck the first blow of the second half on 50 minutes when scrum-half Roigard darted over from a rolling maul to push the lead to 24-14.

New Zealand scrum-half Cam Roigard scored one of five second-half tries for the hosts

The All Blacks were now relentless, and captain Taylor, leading the side for only the second time, crossed for their fourth try five minutes later.

As Australia struggled to retain possession, wings Carter, Moorby, and Jordan capitalised on the unrelenting pressure in the final quarter to put the contest decisively out of reach.

Leroy Carter scored one of seven All Blacks tries as they powered to a dominant win over Australia at Eden Park

Barrett: ‘It’s special – the Bledisloe Cup means a lot to this country’

All Blacks centre Jordie Barrett to Sky Sports:

“It’s pretty special, the Bledisloe Cup means a lot to this country.

“We spent a lot of time on the road this year, and we spoke about it this week. We wanted to show what it was like to be an All Black and play in front of our fans.

“We’re bloody proud of the performance tonight.

“We wanted to keep maxing out with our energy, and we got a lot of physical dominance up front tonight.”

Centre Jordie Barrett proved a standout performer for the All Blacks on the day

Wilson: ‘We could tell New Zealand were hurting out there’

Australia captain Harry Wilson to Sky Sports:

“Credit to New Zealand, they are a quality side, and playing them here at Eden Park is always tough.

“We did a really good job to be in the fight after that first half, and then we had an opportunity at the start of the second half and blew it.

“It was then tough to get the ball back for the next 30 minutes.

“It was hard to hold your breath. They put us under a lot of pressure and you could tell they were hurting from the result of the South Africa series.

“They bounced back tonight.”

What’s next?

The teams meet again next Saturday in Sydney for the return clash, with the All Blacks travelling to face Australia on October 17 (6am kick-off BST).

That match will also be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event from 6am.

The Bledisloe Cup can no longer be won by Australia this year, as even a victory in Sydney would see New Zealand retain the trophy courtesy of Saturday’s result.

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