All Blacks Retain Bledisloe Cup in Dominant 50-19 Victory Over Wallabies

Bledisloe Cup – First Test

New Zealand (17) 50

Tries: Lakai, Vaai, Roigard, Taylor, Carter, Moorby, Jordan Cons: McKenzie (6) Pens: McKenzie

Australia (14) 19

Tries: Wright, Wilson, Nasser Cons: Lonergan (2)

New Zealand retained the Bledisloe Cup for a 23rd consecutive year, overpowering Australia to extend their remarkable unbeaten record at Eden Park.

The All Blacks have not lost at the Auckland venue since 1994, and a dominant second-half performance lifted their unbeaten run in the city to 54 Tests.

Australia stayed competitive at the break, trailing 17-14, but New Zealand blew the visitors away after the interval, crossing the try line five times.

Peter Lakai, Tupou Vaa’i, Cam Roigard, Codie Taylor, Leroy Carter, Josh Moorby and Will Jordan scored for the hosts, while fly-half Damian McKenzie contributed 15 points to secure the trophy contested annually between the two nations.

The victory halted a three-match losing streak for New Zealand following their series defeat to world champions South Africa earlier in the summer.

For the Wallabies, the result marked their first defeat since Les Kiss replaced Joe Schmidt as head coach in July, ending a six-game unbeaten run.

Australia were chasing their first win at Eden Park since 1986 and took an early lead by controlling the initial stages, with full-back Tom Wright crossing for a try.

New Zealand responded emphatically, and with scrum-half Roigard’s probing kicks unlocking the defense, they turned the match with tries from Lakai and Vaa’i.

Wallabies captain Harry Wilson scored to keep the margin manageable, but the All Blacks accelerated in the second half.

Roigard added another try shortly after the break, before Taylor, Carter, Moorby and Jordan went over as Australia struggled to contain the hosts’ relentless attacking waves. Josh Nasser scored a late consolation try for the visitors, but the contest was already decided.

The second match of the two-Test series will be held in Sydney at Accor Stadium on 17 October.

New Zealand: B Barrett; Jordan, Tupaea, J Barrett, Carter; McKenzie, Roigard; De Groot, Taylor (c), Newell, S Barrett, Lord, Vaa’i, Lakai, Sititi

Replacements: Aumua, Bower, Tosi, Frizell, Segner, Preston, Loane, Moorby

Australia: Wright; Jorgensen, Henry, Ikitau, Sua’ali’i; Donaldson, Lonergan; Bell, Paenga-Amosa, Alaalatoa, Williams, Salakaia-Loto, Valetini, McReight, Wilson (c)

Replacements: Nasser, Ross, De Lutiis, Shaw, De Crespigny, McDermott, Meredith, Potter

Referee: Andrew Brace (Ire)

Assistant referees: Luke Pearce (Eng) & Damian Schneider (Arg)

TMO: Mike Adamson (Sco)

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