All Blacks clean sweep Wallabies in Perth
MATCH REPORT: The All Blacks extended their trans-Tasman dominance, beating Wallabies 28-14 in the final round of the Rugby Championship on Saturday in Perth.
It was a very scrappy affair in wet weather conditions as both teams struggled to dominate proceedings.
However, the All Blacks were clinical when it mattered and they scored four tries to one in front of 60,113 fans in Perth Stadium, many of whom supported the visitors.
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Quinn Tupaea’s double late in the first half broke the game open before teeming rain slowed down the second period.
The home side was unable to send off the retiring Slipper, Australia’s most capped player, on a high in his 151st and final Test.
The injury-ravaged All Blacks made a slew of changes after a 33-24 triumph last week at Eden Park saw them once again retain the Bledisloe Cup.
Australia’s hopes of an upset were boosted by the inclusions of Will Skelton and Rob Valetini, adding heft to their forward pack.
Having crawled out of the blocks at Eden Park, the Wallabies were determined to start strongly but a fired-up Skelton conceded a penalty for shoving Tamaiti Williams to the ground.
Damian McKenzie could not make him pay, pulling the penalty wide, as the Wallabies dominated the early exchanges despite Leroy Carter burrowing over for the first try in the seventh minute.
The slick Wallabies tore through the right side, only for an Allan Alaalatoa try to be scrubbed after an infringement from Tom Hooper resulted in a yellow card.
The Wallabies were dealt a blow when Skelton trudged off in the 14th minute and he did not return after failing his Head Injury Assessment.
Having endured the onslaught, the All Blacks gained a stranglehold before the interval through spectacular back-to-back tries from Tupaea.
New Zealand’s 17-9 half-time lead would have been greater but for McKenzie’s off night with the boot, missing one conversion from point-blank range.
Slipper was substituted just after the resumption, walking off to strong applause from the crowd.
Heavy rain fell as the game went into a lull.
McKenzie found his radar in the 61st minute to break the scoring drought, but the Wallabies hit back moments later when Len Ikitau dotted down.
A rejuvenated McKenzie snuffed out Australia’s comeback with a brilliant penalty from the right side as the All Blacks continued their dominance.
Man of the match: The one player who has been consistan has been Ardie Savea. The All Black loose forward was solid in defence and make some big turnovers.
Moment of the match: The moment of magic was Quinn Tupaea’s double in the closing minutes of the first half. The centre scored a great try chasing a kick off Jordie Barrett and had a double moments later from a quick tap by Will Jordan with a massive fend on Tom Hooper
The scorers:
For Australia:
Try: Ikitau
Pens: Edmed 3
For New Zealand:
Tries: Carter, Tupaea 2, Bower,
Con: McKenzie
Pens: Mckenzie 3
Yellow cards: Top Hooper (Australia, 12 – croc roll), Len Ikitau (Australia, 44 – head on head tackle)
Teams:
Australia:15 Max Jorgensen, 14 Harry Potter, 13 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 12 Len Ikitau, 11 Filipo Daugunu, 10 Tane Edmed, 9 Jake Gordon, 8 Harry Wilson (captain), 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Tom Hooper, 5 Will Skelton, 4 Nick Frost, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Billy Pollard, 1 James Slipper.
Replacements: 16 Josh Nasser, 17 Tom Robertson, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Jeremy Williams, 20 Rob Valetini, 21 Ryan Lonergan, 22 James O’Connor, 23 Josh Flook.
New Zealand: 15 Will Jordan, 14 Leroy Carter, 13 Quinn Tupaea, 12 Jordie Barrett (vice-Captain), 11 Leicester Fainga’anuku, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Cam Roigard, 8 Peter Lakai, 7 Ardie Savea (vice-Captain), 6 Simon Parker, 5 Fabian Holland, 4 Scott Barrett (captain), 3 Fletcher Newell, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Tamaiti Williams.
Replacements: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 George Bower, 18 Pasilio Tosi, 19 Patrick Tuipulotu, 20 Wallace Sititi, 21 Cortez Ratima, 22 Rieko Ioane, 23 Ruben Love.
Referee: Matthew Carley (England)
Assistant referees: Karl Dickson (England), Morné Ferreira (South Africa)
TMO: Andrew Jackson (England)
*Additional source: AFP
