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Beauden Barrett in action during the 2018 Bledisloe Cup
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New Zealand thrashed Australia 36-0 to retain the Bledisloe Cup for a 17th-successive season at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday.
Copyright Steve Haag Sport Hollywoodbets
The result never looked in doubt as the All Blacks made the most of some Wallaby errors to power their way to a convincing victory. It may not be enough for them to hang on to their number one world ranking, but overall Steve Hansen will be satisfied with the performance of his men.
Michael Cheika on the other hand, will be left to rue a number of missed opportunities as his Australian side failed to build on the promise of last week by putting on a rather meek showing in the end.
Both sides enjoyed dominant periods during the first quarter, but a successful Richie Mo’unga penalty meant the hosts maintained a narrow lead following two missed Christian Leali’ifano efforts.
The two outfits continued to trade blows throughout the first-half, but neither managed to gain a clear upper hand until a loss of focus in the Australian defence allowed Mo’unga to tear away for the opening try.
Another to Aaron Smith soon after completely changed the context of the contest as the men in black raced away to a 17-0 lead.
Dane Coles was shown yellow for some argy bargy with Nick White, but the Wallabies were unable to make the most of their numerical advantage as both sides headed for the shed with New Zealand firmly in command.
While the All Blacks’ second-half showing was in no way perfect, they still managed to take their chances when it counted most.
Sonny Bill Williams, Sevu Reece and George Bridge added to the scoreline as the World Champions sealed a comfortable win.
New Zealand – 36
Tries: Mo’unga, Smith, Williams, Reece, Bridge
Cons: Mo’unga (3), B Barrett
Pens: Mo’unga
Yellow card: Coles
Australia – 0
All Blacks – 15 Beauden Barrett, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Anton Lienert-Brown, 12 Sonny Bill Williams , 11 George Bridge, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read (c), 7 Sam Cane, 6 Ardie Savea, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu, 3 Nepo Lualala, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Joe Moody.
Subs: 16 Codie Taylor, 17 Ofa Tuungafasi, 18 Angus Ta’avao, 19 Jackson Hemopo, 20 Matt Todd, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Ngani Laumape, 23 Jordie Barrett.
Wallabies – 15 Kurtley Beale, 14 Reece Hodge, 13 James O’Connor, 12 Samu Kerevi, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Christian Leali’ifano, 9 Nic White, 8 Isi Naisarani, 7 Michael Hooper (c), 6 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 5 Adam Coleman, 4 Izack Rodda, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Tolu Latu, 1 Scott Sio.
Subs: 16 Folau Fainga’a, 17 James Slipper, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Rob Simmons, 20 Liam Wright, 21 Will Genia, 22 Matt Toomua, 23 Adam Ashley-Cooper.
Written by Shaun Goosen for Hollywoodbets
