New Zealand vs. Australia: Score and Report from 2015 Bledisloe Cup Clash
New Zealand retained the Bledisloe Cup for the 13th year in succession, as they put Australia to the sword at Eden Park with a stunning 41-13 victory.
The All Blacks came into Sunday’s game off the back of a 27-19 defeat in the first match, but they produced an exceptional display to land 2015’s trophy—comprehensively outplaying the Wallabies all over the park.
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It was Australia that opened the scoring after a jittery start from New Zealand, though, with Quade Cooper kicking over a penalty after three minutes.
However, all that seemed to do was bring New Zealand out of their slumber, and it wasn’t long before Dan Carter found the gap between the posts to level things up at 3-3.
The Wallabies were contributing to their own downfall after a strong start, playing some clumsy rugby and inviting pressure from the All Blacks.
You just knew they were going to take advantage sooner rather than later, and with 23 minutes on the clock, Dane Coles dotted down for the first try of the match.
It was great work from Carter to release the hooker, who then showed an incredible turn of pace to reach the line. Journalist Brendan Gallagher commented on Coles’ quick feet:
Carter kicked over with minimal fuss to make it 10-3, before adding another penalty eight minutes later to further extend the hosts’ advantage.
Cooper reduced arrears with a penalty of his own to make it 13-6, but it was clear that the Kiwis meant business.
The half-time score didn’t do Steve Hansen’s men justice, although it wasn’t long before the All Blacks made their dominance count.
They came out in the second half all guns blazing and put the Aussie defence under pressure, which they simply couldn’t handle.
And just eight minutes into the second period, New Zealand got their reward as they were handed a penalty try.
Nehe Milner-Skudder went racing through after a piece of individual magic before offloading to Aaron Smith, who was taken out with a high tackle from Cooper just yards shy of the try line.
Carter added the extras, 20-6, but with Cooper now in the sin bin and all the momentum with New Zealand, Australia had reason to be worried.
It took them all of two minutes to get the ball over the line again, with Ma’a Nonu on the end of a flowing counter-attack.
Conrad Smith then made sure of the victory by crossing shortly after to make it 34-6—Australia were dead and buried. Milner-Skudder was once again instrumental in the hosts’ brilliance, and BBC Sport’s Caroline Chapman was one of many singing his praises:
The Wallabies were just praying for the final hooter, but it got worse before it got better. Nonu chalked up his second try of the day and Carter kicked to make it 41-6.
Then came a moment for every All Black fan to savour, as Richie McCaw departed Eden Park after becoming the nation’s most-capped Test player of all time with 142 appearances.
He left the ground to a standing ovation—even from the Australia supporters—and England Rugby commented that such a thrashing was the perfect way for the captain to break the record:
There was still time for Australia to grab a consolation. Israel Folau did brilliantly to pluck the ball out of the air and force his way over.
Even so, New Zealand were never in danger of surrendering their dominance. The 41-13 final scoreline almost flattered Australia, as they simply weren’t at the races.
For the All Blacks, though, Sunday’s Bledisloe Cup victory was the perfect preparation for next month’s World Cup campaign in England.
Hansen’s men come into the tournament as heavy favourites; and based on their dismantling of the talented Aussies, it’s easy to see why.
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