Having pilloried the Aussies for conceding eight tries in a record 54-34 defeat in Sydney seven days earlier, the critics were classing their return clash with the world champions in Dunedin as one of the greatest rugby tests of the 21st century. It was quite a turn-around for the Wallabies.
Add the two games together and you’ve got 152 points and 22 tries in two Tests in the southern hemisphere’s equivalent to the Six Nations. They are never going to die wondering down under, as the stats for the two games prove.
Just take a look at the approach of the two teams by analysing the metres run, breaks and passes made and the number of off loads. If they bring the same style to the Principality Stadium we should be in for some spectacular rugby.
| Australia v New Zealand in the Rugby Championships 2017 | |||||
| Round 1 | Passes | Metres Run | Clean Breaks | Def Beaten | Off Loads |
| Wallabies | 215 | 556 | 13 | 23 | 14 |
| All Blacks | 182 | 652 | 27 | 30 | 18 |
| Round 2 | |||||
| All Blacks | 197 | 537 | 17 | 32 | 9 |
| Wallabies | 123 | 432 | 9 | 14 | 7 |
| Totals | |||||
| Wallabies | 338 | 988 | 21 | 37 | 21 |
| All Blacks | 305 | 1189 | 44 | 62 | 27 |
The Wallabies let New Zealand build-up a massive lead before scoring four second half tries themselves in the opening game in Sydney. Under the roof in Dunedin it was the Aussies who got off to the flying start, leading by 17 points and then twice coming from behind to put themselves in the position to win.
And when Kurtley Beale crossed for his side’s fifth try with four minutes to go it looked as though the Wallabies, 29-28 ahead, were going to notch their first win on New Zealand soil since 2001. But you can never, ever, ever count out the All Blacks.
They were awarded a scrum of an apparent knock-on at the re-start and cometh the hour, cometh Beauden Barrett! The reigning World Rugby Player of the Year was in the right place at the right time to receive the pass that allowed him to cut through and break Australian hearts with a try that he also converted to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
It was a spectacular end to a spectacular match. It left Aussie head coach Michael Cheika dreaming of what might have been – and the All Blacks with the Bledisloe Cup for a 17th successive year.
“I am always proud and pleased with the team. I see what they’re doing off the field and even though chaps are throwing eggs and bombs and everything our way – that’s the way she rolls,” said Cheika. “It’s all good, but the gallant loser thing is not on. We should have won that game and we know it.”
While Barrett stole the show, Israel Folau’s 70 metre interception try was the pick of the bunch and there were world class performances on both sides all over the field. It just proves how tough a task it is going to be for Wales in November.
And look out for the Springboks as well! Wales may have beaten them in Cardiff last year, but they are getting better and better, their 41-23 win over the Pumas in Salta completing the double to get their Rugby Championship off to a great start ahead of their Round 3 trip to Australia.
The Rugby Championship – Round 1
Australia 34, New Zealand 54
South Africa 37, Argentina 15
Round 2 – Saturday, 26 August
New Zealand v Australia – Dunedin (08:35 BST)
Argentina v South Africa – Salta (18:30 BST)
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WALES v AUSTRALIA – Saturday, 11 November 2017 (17:15)
WALES v GEORGIA – Saturday, 18 November 2017 (14:30)
WALES v NEW ZEALAND – Saturday, 25 November 2017 (17:15)
WALES v SOUTH AFRICA – Sat 2 December 2017 (14:30)
