The Wallabies have scored a win to be treasured over the All Blacks, defeating the New Zealanders by five points on Saturday night at Suncorp Stadium.
» Click here to read the full match report
Final score
Wallabies 23
All Blacks 18
The Wallabies are playing for pride and momentum leading into the Spring Tour as they look to knock over the All Blacks in Brisbane in the final Bledisloe Cup match of 2017. Catch all the live scores, highlights and action on The Roar from 8pm (AEST).
New Zealand has already wrapped up the Championship and Bledisloe for yet another year but were given a massive scare from the Aussies in Dunedin.
Despite being run all over in Sydney in Game 1, the Wallabies came out firing on the road.
Jumping out of the blocks with two early tries, the Wallabies very nearly pulled off the biggest win in recent memory but dramatically gave up the lead in the dying moments of the game through a heartbreaking try to Beauden Barrett.
The Championship has been one of the most entertaining while also frustrating for the Wallabies this year, with a pair of intense draws against the Springboks leaving the Aussies without key results.
They weren’t able to be split with the South Africans in Perth or Bloemfontein, taking home 23 and 27-point draws respectively.
They were able to end their campaign on a high note though, sliding past Argentina in Mendoza two weeks ago to take second spot in the Championship thanks to a single bonus point over the Boks.
For the All Blacks, they took the title with six wins from as many games for the second year running.
They very nearly fell short of the undefeated mark though, holding on to a one-point win over the Springboks in Cape Town 25-24.
In terms of today’s opponent, the All Blacks dominance over the Wallabies is a broken record, having won every single one of the past 15 Bledisloe Cup’s dating back to 2002.
On top of that, Australia have won just one of their last 18 games against their Trans-Tasman rivals.
Team News
Coach Michael Cheika has made just the one change from the side that beat the Pumas.
It’s a forced change, with 21-year-old Izack Rodda injuring his shoulder earlier in the week and requiring surgery, ruling him out of the rest of this game and the entire Spring Tour as well.
That has opened the door for Rob Simmons to slot into the back row and Ned Hanigan to take his bench spot for his ninth Test in the green and gold.
For New Zealand, they’ve taken a big blow with flyhalf Beauden Barrett being ruled out with concussion symptoms.
Highlanders main man Lima Sopoaga has been called in to replace Barrett, having picked up a dozen caps since making his international debut in 2015.
Cheifs enforcer Brodie Retallick will again miss the game as he did against South Africa due to tragic family reasons as the All Blacks camp continues to rally around him.
Luke Romano will also be absent for family reasons.
Prediction
The Wallabies were entirely different sides in the previous two Bledisloe clashes this year so it’s nearly impossible to predict what kind of side will turn up tonight.
They’ve put in some huge performances across the Championship but have struggled to really put in that 80-minute performance and it’s hurt them and their results.
Without Barrett, the All Blacks could be a little directionless, but this is a world-class side and Sopoaga is a seriously underrated player that has proven his place in the New Zealand side before.
I would hope for Australia’s sake it’s a closer contest than their last home game in Sydney, but the All Blacks should be looking at another clean sweep of the Bledisloe with a win today.
New Zealand to win by 11
ballinhand
Guest
but hodges did convert the kick - foley let the AB's off the hook in dunedin and last night if hed have been on his game the bledisloe would be in australia now the AB's not as good since mclaw retired
Redsfan1
Guest
A Queenslander but an Australian FIRST always. Those playing the state card or NSW conspiracy need to grow up.
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Congratulations Wallaby fans, good win, particularly in the second half... a good result for trans-tasman rugby (damn!! :) ) ... Next up EOYT ... good luck to all SH teams ... go get 'em fellas!
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
At the game, I thought he (SBW) played well both on defence and attack, other than his kick near the end ... wrong option. Inside him Lima, other than kicking of the tee was not great, outside him Crotty was not the player we know. The Wallabies defence was great and generally accurate.
Cam
Roar Rookie
Lol just so u know McMahon is in fact a QLDer. Born in Brisbane. Not saying it's relevant to your cute lil argument you two have gling on, it's just funny reading your comment.
Brian George
Guest
You and your alter ego wild eagle are 2 of them son. The dregs that is...
Gumboot
Guest
Yepers, well done ockers (bastards). I can't wait to read the herald tomorrow saying that you're the best. Damn it. Seriously boys, well done.......Bondi wasn't my cup of tea anyway
double agent
Guest
It's rare to see Hodge slot a ball between the sticks. They're usually knocking a drone out of the sky. Or knocking a four cup beer tray out of the hand of some poor bugger sat behind the posts that can't afford to see four draught beers destroyed by a wayward shot at goal. But today Hodge is The Man! If he never plays another game he can forever hold his head high and be guaranteed a shout from any Rugby supporter in Australia (maybe not QLD because they hate everyone from NSW)
wardad1
Roar Rookie
I will second that .
wardad1
Roar Rookie
Congrats to the Aussies ,commiserations to our boys cant win em all eh ? Had a blast with my younger brother and my son ,good crowd good fun .
double agent
Guest
Nice to see the ABs called on some their chronic illegalities.
double agent
Guest
So many new players = still the best players in the world. I wish we had new players like that!!
ols
Roar Pro
Totally agreed TL
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Guest
Agreed Rebellion
JB
Guest
Hunt would have been so much better because he is from a above a certain latitude. So glad Queenslanders make these comments when the wallabies win shows how pathological the bias is, just enjoy the win, and give credit to McMahon and Folau the two best players on the park that aren't queenslanders
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Guest
Black Wave, since you brought it up - Barnes gave WBs a couple of lucky calls, and ABs at least a couple of lucky calls. What he did do refreshingly was penalise gridiron blocking away from the ball. Not too soon either. If you see that as unfair perhaps you should follow another sport, like gridiron?
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
G'day Chinmay, I saw one stat on tv right at the end that showed 11 missed tackles by WB and an incredible 28 misses by the AB. I know the AB also did more tackles but I never thought I would see an AB team miss that many. Looking at the teams, with so many newbies in the AB team the defence alignments would have been over the shop, especially on turnover balls and counter attacks off lost ball and this would have caused a lot of those missed tackles. Sure the WB won the match but lets give credit to the AB side also. So many new players and they still played a great match. The WB will need to step up even better than tonight to beat a fresh AB side with all their players back on board, but its a start and good for the confidence. I thought Nepo Laulala, Sam Whitelock, Sam Cane and Kieran Read put in great matches in the piggies and R.Crotty and the two wingers also played well. A.Smith did some good things but also a couple of howlers, L.Sopoaga has had better days but he well learn, he has more class than his effort tonight.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Guest
Well played Digger.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Guest
Jake, give yourself an uppercut.
Rev
Guest
I think it has more to do with sonny then our 10's. I remember Dan Carter looked average with Sonny at 12