Australia
24
Match Complete
New Zealand
22
| 78 |  | J. Barrett | ||
| 78 |  | T. Vaa'i | ||
| R. Hodge | | 76 | ||
| T. Tupou | | 74 | ||
| R. Hodge |  | 69 | ||
| R. Hodge | | 58 | ||
| 52 | | J. Barrett | ||
| 51 | | C. Taylor | ||
| R. Hodge | | 49 | ||
| 32 | | J. Barrett | ||
| R. Hodge | | 20 | ||
| 8 | | R. Ioane | ||
| T. Wright | | 2 |
| 2 | Tries | 3 | ||
| 1 | Conversions | 2 | ||
| 4 | Penalty Goals | 1 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
Match result
The Wallabies have won the final Bledisloe Cup game of the year, defeating the All Blacks 24-22 at Suncorp Stadium to end the four-match series on a high.
Wallabies 24
All Blacks 22
Match preview
The Wallabies will welcome the All Blacks to Brisbane in the final game of the 2020 Bledisloe Cup series as they look to get back on the right track and build some momentum for their Tests against Argentina. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of what promises to be an exciting match starting from 7:45pm (AEDT).
Both Dave Rennie and Ian Foster have made a number of changes for this final game in the series so fans will get to see some new combinations and faces – some more surprising than others.
For the home side Rennie has made nine changes as a result of injury and form and some have really caught the eye. Perhaps the biggest surprise is Reece Hodge starting at number ten, replacing Noah Lolesio. Lolesio didn’t have a good game in Sydney but Hodge hasn’t played flyhalf for the Rebels this year and has only worn the jersey once for the Wallabies and that was three years ago against Japan. Lolesio will come off the bench so perhaps this move is about protecting him a little and hints to a more simple, direct game plan from the Wallabies.
Lachie Swinton’s selection supports this idea that we’ll see a more direct, aggressive game plan as he replaces Ned Hanigan. There are some who feel he’s not ready yet for Test match duty and considering the way the All Blacks were able to gain plenty of ground attacking the short side in Sydney, Swinton is in for a baptism of fire. But if he can get in some early hits and get himself into the game, he does have the confrontational style of play that could knock the All Blacks off their game.
Following that hard-running pattern, Rennie has picked Hunter Paisami at inside centre to replace the more attack-minded Irae Simone. The final form and game-plan switch in the starting XV is Tom Wright for Filipo Daugunu on the wing and not many will be surprised by this one after the game Daugunu had in Sydney.
The other changes see Tom Banks replace Dane Haylett-Petty at fullback, Rob Simmons for Lukhan Salakaia-Loto in the second row and then on the bench Angus Bell is in for Scott Sio, Folau Fainga’a for Jordan Uelese and Liam Wright for Fraser McReight.
That’s a lot of changes and you have to ask where the attacking creativity is going to come from to unlock the All Blacks. Nicholas Bishop wrote on The Roar earlier this week that the Wallabies had failed to “control the controllables” in Game 3 and had struggled to defend in the areas that they knew the All Blacks would be targeting. This new-look side isn’t really a side for the future but can it be a side that plays a successful, tighter game tonight and get a result?
For the All Blacks there are plenty of changes too with Akira Ioane getting his first cap (how many of you were shocked to hear that he hadn’t played for the All Blacks already?) and Asafo Aumua, Cullen Grace and Will Jordan all ready to come on from the bench.
In the backs there’s a lot of moving around. Richie Mo’unga is rested and replaced at ten by Beauden Barrett. Jordie Barrett will move to fullback and then Sevu Reece will take the empty wing spot. Ngani Laumape and TJ Perenara will start too and Reiko Ioane moves out one spot to wing.
Codie Taylor is back in, Scott Barrett will start at lock replacing Patrick Tuipulotu and Ardie Savea will start at number eight.
The 16-all draw from Bledisloe 1 feels like a distant memory and both Wallabies fans and players alike couldn’t be blamed for wondering whether it was actually a dream. While the Cup itself might be staying in New Zealand for another year, this dead rubber really does matter. Play well, gain confidence and then beat Argentina and things will feel much better. Lose badly in Brisbane, stutter against the Pumas and maybe win just one of those games and it’s a different story for Dave Rennie and his team.
Prediction
The Wallabies are understandably big underdogs but after the pain of Sydney they will be desperate to put in a performance that they and their fans can be proud of. However, while the effort will be there, the skill and the experience just isn’t there yet to challenge this All Blacks side.
All Blacks by ten.
Game information
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Kick-off: 7:45pm (AEDT)
TV: Fox Sports
Online: Kayo Sports, Foxtel Go
Odds: Wallabies $6.05, All Blacks $1.13
Wallabies
1. James Slipper, 2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 3. Allan Alaalatoa, 4. Rob Simmons, 5. Matt Philip, 6. Lachlan Swinton, 7. Michael Hooper (c), 8. Harry Wilson, 9. Nic White, 10. Reece Hodge, 11. Marika Koroibete, 12. Hunter Paisami, 13. Jordan Petaia, 14. Tom Wright, 15. Tom Banks. Bench: 16. Folau Fainga’a, 17. Angus Bell, 18. Taniela Tupou, 19. Ned Hanigan, 20. Liam Wright, 21. Tate McDermott, 22. Noah Lolesio, 23. Filipo Daugunu
All Blacks
1. Karl Tu’inukuafe, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Ofa Tuungafasi, 4. Scott Barrett, 5. Samuel Whitelock, 6. Akira Ioane, 7. Sam Cane (c), 8. Ardie Savea, 9. TJ Perenara, 10. Beauden Barrett, 11. Rieko Ioane, 12. Ngani Laumape, 13. Anton Lienert-Brown, 14. Sevu Reece, 15. Jordie Barrett. Bench: 16. Asafo Aumua, 17. Alex Hodgman, 18. Tyrel Lomax, 19. Patrick Tuipulotu, 20. Cullen Grace, 21. Brad Weber, 22. Damian McKenzie, 23. Will Jordan
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
After watching the replay, the Thugby MotM bottle of Speight's dishwater goes to the WB lock Matt Philip. He was in the thick of the action for the whole game. Is that correct that Sam Cane got the official vote? He played a mighty game but M.Philip and M.Hooper surely were better.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
I love the heart that Koroibete plays with. He makes a mockery of people who criticise PI born players for a lack of passion for playing for the Wallabies. You’d struggle to find a player that consistently plays with the effort and puts his body on the line the way Koro and Hooper do.
Mark Richmond
Roar Guru
Not sure about that, but only because it’s one game from Wright. If he can replicate that then no, Koroibete is up and down.
Double Agent
Guest
So why was Savea crying?
taylorman
Roar Guru
Thought ref was fine in a difficult match. The two reds create a dialogue of ‘ruining the game’ but they happened pretty close to eachother and although it’s awkward, Akira can feel a bit robbed having to sub for a prop after turning out pretty well, it was still even Stevens for most of the match. Both sides had good moments, and there was a lot of scrappy play that tested the ref but overall, fair result, both sides got to try different combinations, and oz finished better in the end. Funny game rugby. ABs go from a home draw, to a win, to a record win, then a loss. Go figure. :stoked:
Scott
Guest
Only, give up. The problem is not with you
Tony
Guest
You’re wrong, Phantom. After White fumbles the ball, the ref signals that it’s gone backwards and plays on, but you can hear him say: “Can you check that; I thought it went [inaudible]”. Play continues for a few more seconds and then the ref blows the whistle and says to the players: “I got the call; it’s a knock on”. They go back and the TMO tells the ref that it wasn’t a knock on - Barrett had reached out while on the ground and knocked the hall out of White’s hands. The TMO was asked to check, and he did.
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
And to you DB!
HiKa
Roar Rookie
Yep. Players have to aim lower with a bit of margin so that a small mistake doesn't make for an early exit (and potential long term brain injury for the other guy).
Olly
Roar Rookie
It is a yellow card even without any warning....
Olly
Roar Rookie
Wtf, at what point did I say it was not a yellow card....knocking the ball down is a yellow card regardless of the repeat infringements and a warning. I am saying, HOW DID THE VIDEO REF MISS IT. It was the onfield ref who gave him the yellow card, not the video ref
Hoges
Roar Rookie
It was pretty clear Barret infringed knocking the ball out of Whotes hands, the All Blacks were on a last warning - yellow card the only and correct option.
Olly
Roar Rookie
I get that and that is why the on field refs missed it. But he asked the video ref to check it and the video ref cleared it. Did he even look at the video, I could see it live that he knocked it out of his hand. The onfield ref only saw it on the big screen thanks to Hooper telling him to watch the replay…..how did the video ref get this so wrong when he was asked to check it the first time?
Olly
Roar Rookie
Can you read my comment again. You have completely missed what I said. I am saying, how did the video ref miss the infringement and initial clear Scot B. He only got caught because the producer played it again on the big screen so the onfield ref could see it.
Micko
Roar Rookie
Yep, poor kiwis couldn't catch a break there: tied the final, then tied the tiebreaker...and still lost! :sick: :thumbdown:
Hoges
Roar Rookie
The all blacks were on a field arming at that point - next infringement yellow card. Are you new to rugby???
dolphinberserk
Roar Rookie
SB was super sneaky about it so maybe on first view the v ref didn't see it, but then took a look in slo mo?
Hoges
Roar Rookie
The law is – any contact with the head whether careless, reckless or intentional in the absence of mitigating factors is a red card offence. Both red cards were accurate calls any way you look at it. Both players will likely serve a suspension. Every player on the field knows the bloody rules well before they take the field?!?
dolphinberserk
Roar Rookie
Whiner of the match goes to ...
dolphinberserk
Roar Rookie
You could turn the sound down.