The All Blacks lead the Wallabies 28-14 in the first game of the 2024 Bledisloe Cup on Saturday Afternoon at Accor Stadium.
New Zealand got off to a dream start with fullback Will Jordan slicing through a hole and scoring under the posts in the first 90 seconds.
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Wallabies out to win Bledisloe Cup | 00:47
Rieko Ioane made a break down the left touch line to score in the corner and make it 14-0 after 10 minutes.
Giant winger Caleb Clarke then broke free to dot down in the same corner as New Zealand made it 21-0 after 16 minutes.
The Wallabies finally hit back with flanker Fraser McReight breaking free to score under the posts and cut the All Blacks led back to 14.
But Sevu Reece made the most of a late call-up after pouncing on a turnover to put Ardie Savea over under the posts to restore a 21 point lead.
Hooker Matt Faessler broke away from a maul and dived over to score a crucial try near halftime to keep the Wallabies in the contest.
Jordie Barrett broke free down the right and scored right on halftime, but the try was denied in a controversial decision as the Wallabies trailed by 14 at the break.
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MATCH PREVIEW
The Wallabies host the All Blacks in the first game of the 2024 Bledisloe Cup on Saturday Afternoon at Accor Stadium.
The All Blacks have been forced into a change with Beauden Barrett ruled out with illness, with Will Jordan shifting to fullback and Sevu Reece starting on the wing.
Australia will wear their Indigenous jerseys, with proud Indigenous man Dylan Pietsch a chance to add to his two caps off the bench.
James Slipper will break George Gregan’s long-standing record for most Test appearances for the Wallabies when he comes off the bench for his 140th Test match, eclipsing Gregan’s mark of 139.
Harry Wilson captains the Wallabies in his first Bledisloe Test as skipper, while Scott Barrett will lead an All Blacks side featuring brother Jordie in the starting side.
Noah Lolesio returns from injury at flyhalf for the Wallabies and will be partnered by Nic White at halfback.
Hunter Paisami also returns at centre, with Tom Wright at fullback and Andrew Kellaway shifting to the wing.
Australia are coming off a historic record 67-27 loss to Argentina, while the All Blacks lost both Tests to the Springboks in South Africa, making both sides desperate to prove a point.
The Wallabies need to win the first test to be any chance of winning back the Bledisloe Cup, which New Zealand have held since 2003, with Australia in the midst of a 21 year drought.
In a belter of a day in Sydney both sides will be looking to play with ball in hand as Bledisloe Cup rugby returns to the afternoon.
TEAMS
Wallabies (15-1): Tom Wright; Andrew Kellaway, Len Ikitau, Hunter Paisami, Marika Koroibete; Noah Lolesio, Nic White; Harry Wilson (capt), Fraser McReight, Rob Valetini; Jeremy Williams, Nick Frost; Taniela Tupou, Matt Faessler, Angus Bell
Replacements: Brandon Panega-Amosa, James Slipper, Allan Alaalatoa, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Langi Gleeson, Tate McDermott, Tom Lynagh, Dylan Pietsch
All Blacks (15-1): Will Jordan, Sevu Reece, Rieko Ioane, Jordie Barrett, Caleb Clarke; Damian McKenzie, Cortez Ratima; 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, Sam Darry, Luke Jacobson, TJ Perenara, Anton Lienert-Brown, Harry Plummer
Source Agencies
