LIVE: All Blacks respond to Wallabies burst to take slender lead
The All Blacks have powered away for a 33-13 victory over the Wallabies to claim a Bledisloe Cup sweep.
The Wallabies started fast as they opened the scoring for a 10-5 lead after Fraser McReight's early try.
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However, the All Blacks back three were deadly as tries to Caleb Clarke, Will Jordan and Sevu Reece gave them a six point lead at the break.
From here, it was all the Kiwis as they controlled the second half, with Clarke's second sealing the win.
It caps off an emotional night for the All Blacks as Sam Cane celebrated his 100th Test with a win.
"We just couldn't get the ball back in the second half. They dominated the possession, particularly in that third quarter. The only time we really did get it was scrambling out of our half," Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt said post game.
"I thought we created a few things early and probably had a lot of frustration in the first half with slow ball. We started really strongly, got that try and then missed a couple of chances.
"They connected so well back off the sideline, running laterally and then connecting with their runners."
The Wallabies spoke of their intent to start fast and back it up early with a brilliant display of Rugby.
A great blindside break from Andrew Kellaway nearly produced the opening try, with Jake Gordon unable to regather the game.
Their relenting pressure delivered the opening try as Fraser McReight dived over from close in the seventh minute.
The All Blacks responded in the 16th minute as a break from Anton LIenert-Brown put Sevu Reece over in the corner.
Noah Lolesio’s penalty from the kick-off extended Australia’s lead, only for a solo effort from Will Jordan to give the All Blacks a 12-10 lead just after the first quarter.
The Australians continued to press the All Blacks with a physical style of Rugby, allowing Lolesio to add another penalty before the break.
However, the All Blacks struck before the break through Caleb Clarke for a 19-13 half-time lead.
This inspired the Kiwis as they continued to press as the Australian defence held tough to start the second half.
The All Blacks found a way through in the 55th minute through Tamaiti Williams as the prop burrowed his way over.
Clarke’s second extended the lead ten minutes later with a powerful burst set up by replacement Damian McKenzie.
The Wallabies kept fighting for a response but couldn't find a way through the Kiwis' defence as they sent Cane off in style.
"It’s not the result we wanted,” captain Harry Wilson said.
“I thought our first 40 was really good. We showed up and started fast, but we struggled with possession in the second half and had a few chances at the end to get some points on the board but we didn’t.
“We haven’t got the results that we’ve wanted but I’ve felt we’ve improved but ultimately we need to win. It’s a tough way to finish the tournament.”
ALL BLACKS 33
Tries: Reece, Jordan, Clarke 2, Williams
Cons: B. Barrett 4/5
WALLABIES 13
Tries: McReight
Cons: Lolesio 1/1
Pens: Lolesio 2/2
ALL BLACKS v WALLABIES TEAMS
Wallabies (15-1): Tom Wright; Andrew Kellaway, Len Ikitau, Hunter Paisami, Dylan Pietsch; Noah Lolesio, Jake Gordon; Harry Wilson (capt), Fraser McReight, Rob Valetini; Jeremy Williams, Nick Frost; Taniela Tupou, Matt Faessler, Angus Bell
Replacements: Brandon Panega-Amosa, Isaac Kailea, Allan Alaalatoa, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Langi Gleeson, Tate McDermott, Ben Donaldson, Josh Flook
All Blacks (15-1): Will Jordan; Sevu Reece, Rieko Ioane, Anton Lienert-Brown, Caleb Clarke; Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara; Ardie Savea, Sam Cane, Wallace Sititi; Tupou Vaa'i, Scott Barrett (capt); Tyrel Lomax, Codie Taylor, Ethan de Groot
Replacements: Asafo Aumua, Tamaiti Williams, Pasilio Tosi, Patrick Tuipulotu, Luke Jacobson, Cortez Ratima, Damian McKenzie, David Havili
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia)
Assistant Referees: Karl Dickson (England) and Damian Schneider (Argentina)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (France)
