The All Blacks and Wallabies have played out a thrilling draw in Bledisloe 1, finishing all square at 16-all after an enthralling match.
Reece Hodge had a long-range injury-time penalty to win the game hit the posts, only for another eight minutes of play in which both Australia and New Zealand wasted chances deep in attack to find a win.
The Wallabies managed to recover the ball of Hodge’s attempt, but couldn’t find a way through the All Blacks’ defence even with the try-line mere metres away. The hosts then returned the favour, somehow failing to score even though a typical late try seemed inevitable.
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While the result is far better than what the bookies were tipping for Australia, new coach Dave Rennie was quick to douse suggestions the draw would be treated as any kind of victory, saying his team are still “miles away from where we need to be”.
“We’re disappointed,” he said after full-time. “We’re certainly not celebrating in the changerooms.”
The Wallabies dominated posession right from kick-off, spending more than 60 per cent of the 89 minutes played with the ball in hand, but while they threatened at times in the first half, it was New Zealand who were far more dangerous with ball in hand in the opening stanza.
They crossed the chalk on their first proper journey into Australian territory, Jordie Barrett streaking away down the right to touch down in the corner, although Wallabies fans were quick to point out Reiko Ioane put a foot into touch in the lead-up to the try. However the visitors weren’t blameless either, as a missed lineout had gifted possession to the All Blacks.
The gusty, windy conditions made Barrett’s conversion of his own try too difficult, and made things awfully difficult for kickers and receivers alike; a New Zealand penalty kick for touch went dead, there were a number of knock-ons off kick returns, and at one stage Nic White had a box kick blown so far off course it ended up back in the Australian halfback’s hands.
Even so, the Wallabies’ lineout woes were inexcusable, with missed throws at both ends of the field first leading to three All Blacks points from an ensuing penalty and later costing them a valuable attacking opportunity.
Folau Fainga’a got his throw right on the stroke of halftime, but the hooker then inexplicably threw the ball away running around the back of the lineout to allow Ioane to score after the siren. Fortunately for Fainga’a and the Wallabies, though, the All Blacks centre had knocked the ball in attempting to ground it, and the teams went into the sheds with New Zealand up 8-3.
That lead was extended to ten points straight after the break. James O’Connor missed a kickable penalty and soon after Aaron Smith had been put away to cross in the corner.
That spurred the Wallabies into finding some tryscoring form. First it was Marika Koroibete getting on the end of a set play off the lineout, capitalising on some lovely lead-up play from O’Connor to finish spectacularly in the corner.
Then it was his opposite, Filipo Daugunu, who crossed next to the right sideline after a ball popped loose from a ruck and White flicked it up to the winger. Consecutive missed conversions had the scores tied up at 13.
Barrett had a chance to put the All Blacks back in the lead but couldn’t kick truly from a penalty 40 metres out straight in front, and after a monster drop-out New Zealand were pinged for not rolling away and O’Connor found the target from the tee to put Australia up by three.
However with just two minutes left it was Australia’s turn to infringe, Rob Simmons penalised for changing his bind at the maul and Barrett made no mistake to tie things up. And even with Hodge’s late attempt and the nerve-wracking madness which followed, that 16-all scoreline is how things would remain at full-time.
All Blacks 16 (J Barrett, Smith tries; J Barrett 0/2 conversions; J Barrett 2/3 penalty goals) drew with Wallabies 16 (Koroibete, Daugunu tries; O’Connor 0/2 conversions; O’Connor 2/3 penalty goals)
ozziedude
Roar Rookie
We all know the kiwis complain about refs when they lose; 99 and 07 still come up along with echoes of ol’suzie... im sure that was coming next...
Lux Interior
Roar Rookie
Too right. Joubert kept Les Blues in that one, constantly offside and off their feet at every breakdown. There was even a good old fashioned eye gouge late in the game that went unpunished. Still, the best side on the day won in the end. Good times.
Matt
Guest
I agree, the worst refereeing performance in history was the 2011 RWC final
Phantom
Roar Rookie
There could of been a couple of yellow jerseys in the bin for those late and no arms tackles
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
Unbelievable marking by Cully. S.Cane got my shared Thugby MotM chocolates with JOC. The two of them were easily best on field. A.Savea was very good in the rucks but likely the soggy ground slowed his speed off the mark. S.Frizell was pretty good without ripping it apart. Cane a 8½, Savea 6½ and Frizell a 5½.
elvis
Roar Rookie
I don't like penalty because it seems to suggest not one of the other 15 players in the maul did anything illegal. Picking one thing and then giving that side 3 points is just wrong. Also mauls are one sided enough without stopping someone who is trying to contest the ball.
Micko
Roar Rookie
NZ don't enjoy as great a record in Wellington at that stadium for some reason. I'm curious what was their record there in whatever previous stadium they played there?
Tree Son
Roar Rookie
I heard the ref screaming at him too but he was caught up in the maul so how fast could he get out of there really? Will watch again, as at the time I dont recall noticing Simmons was in until that last maul penalty.
Handles
Roar Guru
Yeah but. Simmons was penalised twice for maul offences. In the key one, the ref was screaming at him not to keep playing, but he did. Honestly, the worst sort of "finisher" is the one who comes on determined to make an impact and gives away penalties.
elvis
Roar Rookie
I've never seen a penalty for that in 40 years of watching rugby. Maybe the ref was watching too much video of the Brumbies to be prepared to ref a maul.
elvis
Roar Rookie
He managed to spot 4 or 5 Aussies coming in on the side of the ruck through the game without any difficulty.....
elvis
Roar Rookie
It wasn't the mistakes, it was the inconsistency. Like when the WB smashed the AB scrum and the ref is telling the halfback to play the ball, but when it went the other way, it was a penalty to the ABs. Or the advantage, the ABs played for ages and went way downfield, but then came back for 3 points, whereas when the Aussies went nowhere it was advantage over. Surely giving the ball to the ABs 5 metres out is not an Aussie advantage? Neutral refs are a must to avoid perceptions of home town bias.
Diamond Jackie
Roar Rookie
Astute. Assuming we lose next week , if we win both at home the Bledisloe is ours!!
Diesel 2.0
Roar Rookie
Can't wait for the Eden Park game. I don't see the AB's losing but I also don't see them winning by plenty. However, good luck trying to win even 1 of those games in Aus.
Diesel 2.0
Roar Rookie
Very true and the Cake tin is quickly becoming a cauldron for drawn matches and now adding this one to it.
Diesel 2.0
Roar Rookie
I think Aus were too to be fair. They had most of the possession and metres gained and didn't win. What a game.
fiwiboy7042
Roar Rookie
couldn't read the book! No copy!
Brian
Guest
In fairness, if they were at home, and had the ref in their pocket, and still didn't win...then their supporters should feel like their team lost.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Yes, I am totally. I’m also completely bias towards the ABs and the Crusaders, and Canterbury and Tasman for what it’s worth. I’ve often stated that clearly. However, that doesn’t automatically make me wrong. We are in stage 4 lockdown (Melbourne) and you should be wearing your mask at all times to prevent the spread of COVID-19. I do not wear my mask as much as I should. I’m a hypocrite, but I’m still right. See how that works? Unless you were meaning to call me an Ancient Greek philosopher called Hypocrites, in which you have me mistaken.
CUW
Roar Rookie
@ jameswm Ref has been inconsistent all year so no surprise in that. Just last week in a miter 10 match he called penalty advantage off when the team kicked the ball. when the other team did same he went back to the penalty. despite many claims NZ refs have gone soft about the breakdown penalties - for eg no longer do they penalize squeeze ball and quite lax on cleanout - specially the arriving player having to stay on feet but Gardener is also rsponsible for missing the last minute penalty when Vaii played the ball on the ground - coz ref was on the other side and touchie had the same view we had on TV.