The Wallabies have won the opening game of the 2019 Bledisloe Cup, belting a 14-man All Blacks during the second half with a stunning attacking display.
After a tight first half where both teams wasted opportunities after an aggressive start, it was the sending off of Scott Barrett just 50 seconds out from halftime which altered the course of the game.
The All Blacks number four was ruled to have made illegal contact to the back of Michael Hooper’s neck, and the red card left the All Blacks with a 14-man defensive line which struggled to stop the Wallabies charge.
The Wallabies had the better of the first ten minutes of the game, getting out to a brilliant start in Perth.
A Christian Lealiifano penalty goal had them into the early lead, before a Reece Hodge try off a nice flick pass on the left-hand side from James O’Connor cemented the early advantage.
Australia might have been up ten points to nothing after as many minutes, but as the All Blacks so often do, they found a way to hit back and get back in front of the contest.
The All Blacks opening try came from a kick, with Anton Lienert-Brown managing to win the race to the footy ahead of Michael Hooper, who was busy battling with Kieran Read, before Rieko Ioane scored the All Blacks second try just a couple of minutes later to put them into the lead.
The nature of the visitors come back, including an exciting counter raid for the New Zealanders second try had the Wallabies worried, but some missed opportunities from both sides in the following minutes saw the game break into a back and forth arm-wrestle.
Some poor discipline, including the send off of Barrett just before halftime, allowed Christian Lealiifano to kick a pair of penalty goals in the final minutes before the main break, and the Wallabies would take a 16-12 lead into the sheds.
Tries to Lukhan Sakakai-Loto and Nic White shortly after halftime kicked the Wallabies away to a 14-point lead, however, a try shortly afterwards to Beauden Barrett kept the All Blacks in the contest.
The Wallabies put the game to bed in the following minutes though, with Marika Koroibete scoring a try in the middle of the ground around the ruck, before Hodge followed it up with his second.
Ngani Laumape got the All Blacks a late sniff, but it was never going to be enough, with a shaky Wallabies outfit managing to hold on despite some crazy decisions in the final five minutes, kicking when they simply didn’t need to.
A try to Kurtley Beale in the final 90 seconds put the icing on the cake for a fabulous Wallabies victory.
The 47 points scored by the Wallabies is their greatest ever total against the All Blacks, with the two teams now set to cross the ditch next weekend for Game 2 in Auckland.
It’ll be must-win for the Wallabies, who must win both matches in the shortened 2019 series to reclaim the Cup.
Wallabies 47
All Blacks 26
Clifto
Roar Pro
Ok I'll bite. Sanchez impression? Pppfffft
LifestyleSpecialist
Roar Rookie
Regardless Reiko Ioane was in front of Smith and therefore off side even if the pass went backwards and Reiko reach behind him to grab the ball (which he kind of did). Offside line does just apply to kicks!
Homer Gain
Guest
Not sure there was much force and not too impressed with Hooper's Nicolas Sanchez impression. That said. Barratt is a serial offender, so there is some karma involved here.
CUW
Roar Rookie
i think there is a general sense of disrespect towards auzzy from NZ in this match. which i did not see against argies or sffas. sooner this silly slapping and pushing gets out of the system will serve better for nz. and there is no doubt that retallick is the guy nz miss most. also i have a feeling that Franks is on his last legs - his influence is no more there as far as i see. i saw an article by some doctor who predicted the game of rugger - all codes - may be gone within 10 years due to health concersn. i think Cane is a good exampple - he is not the same coming back , and same goes for others like SBW , Franks ....
feed ya backs
Roar Rookie
Falau who?
QED
Roar Rookie
I hadn’t heard about the injury worries so that’s concerning. In any event I have my fingers in my ears and I’m not listening – just let me have a couple of days before the clarion bells of reality wake me up !
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Yes QED, a lot to like. However our long-awaited ‘summer’ needs more than a few swallows. -Next week’s game is at a graveyard for Wallaby Dreams 33 years of them. - The ABs will adjust and they will click and when they do we will need to unclick them. Let’s see how we go about that. - We don’t know yet if we have picked up injuries. CLL and Arnold went down. Will they back up? Coleman could cover Arnold but who covers Lealiifano? The most similar OZ 10 to Christian isn’t even in the squad. - There are still question marks over 6 for mine even though LSL had a solid game, and - If available, Where would a fit Pocock fit? We played really well. Haven’t seen gold teamwork like that for a long time. Congratulations Mr Cheika. In this game you proved me wrong.
FunBus
Roar Rookie
Yep, I'd have lost a packet betting on that match.
jgeres
Roar Rookie
Wallabies were dominant before the red card mate. look at the half time stats.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Got it, sorry
Kane
Roar Guru
Either way doesn’t matter now. England beat Wales and NZ remain No1
TP12
Roar Rookie
Not to mention not blowing their scrum up.
TP12
Roar Rookie
Yes, for the game, of course. I meant a loss for the Bledisloe but wasn't very clear
Wise Old Elf
Guest
Could be the beginning of a decade of dominance by Australia. A bit of that RL Kangaroo might has rubbed off on little brother union.
gatesy
Roar Guru
I just got the Wallabies at $5.50 on the betting market for next week. I got them at $4.50 last night - did well, but bet conservatively - get on them at $5.50 lads. I reckon that the Wallabies are now on track.
The Isn`t
Roar Rookie
Remember 2011 when Quade Cooper was on fire for the reds? All blacks had an average test season in that RWC year and they demolished Wallabies at Eden Park semis. ABs can pin-point their shortfalls, other teams take time to do that.
Ex force fan
Guest
One letter better than wonderful
Flyman
Roar Rookie
The game is neither won nor lost in the 39th minute, have to play the full 80 and the WB’s played against 14 men for 41 minutes. I am still not convinced but will take the win on the day.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Fair point, I misinterpreted what you meant.
Harry Jones
Expert
I liked our D in this RC. Relentless ...