Australia v New Zealand LIVE: Result and reaction as All Blacks survive thrilling Wallabies comeback

New Zealand survived a thrilling Australia comeback to cling on to a narrow victory in Sydney and continue their stronghold over the Bledisloe Cup.

With both sides looking to salvage difficult Rugby Championship campaigns, the All Blacks started fast and surged into a 21-0 lead as they ran rampant in the first 15 minutes. A further try from Ardie Savea before half-time suggested that Scott Robertson’s visitors would pull clear in the second half to incflict more punishment on a wounded Wallabies side still searching for direction.

But the hosts swelled in the second half, with their bench making a significant impact to swing momentum their way. Keeping the All Blacks to just a single Damian McKenzie penalty after the interval, late tries from Hunter Paisami and Tom Wright moved Australia to within a score as they threatened to produce a remarkable, unexpected fightback.

Yet despite New Zealand losing two backs to the sin bin, there was always just slightly too much for Joe Schmidt’s side to do after their sluggish start. With a second and final Bledisloe Cup meeting of the year to come in Wellington next week, the All Blacks have retained the trans-Tasman prize, as they have done each year since 2003.

Re-live all the action from Sydney in our live blog below:

Australia vs New Zealand LIVE

• All Blacks cling on to victory against Wallabies in Sydney

• FT: Australia 26-31 New Zealand

• TRY! AUSTRALIA 21-31 New Zealand (Hunter Paisami, 66 minutes)

• HT: Australia 14-28 New Zealand

• TRY! AUSTRALIA 14-28 New Zealand (Matt Faessler, 37 minutes)

• TRY! Australia 7-28 NEW ZEALAND (Ardie Savea, 25 minutes)

• TRY! AUSTRALIA 7-21 New Zealand (Fraser McReight, 18 minutes)

• TRY! Australia 0-21 NEW ZEALAND (Caleb Clarke, 16 minutes)

• TRY! Australia 0-14 NEW ZEALAND (Rieko Ioane, 10 minutes)

• TRY! Australia 0-7 NEW ZEALAND (Will Jordan, 2 minutes)

• KICK OFF!

All Blacks survive thrilling Wallabies comeback to cling on to Bledisloe Cup

10:23 , Harry Latham-Coyle

New Zealand scored four tries in the first 25 minutes and held off a late Australian fightback with 13 men to beat the Wallabies 31-28 in a Rugby Championship thriller at Stadium Australia.

The All Blacks were held to one penalty in the second half and lost two players to yellow cards, but their early lead proved enough to earn an eighth straight win over their neighbours and ensure they would retain the Bledisloe Cup for another year.

The Wallabies will take heart from their second half fightback, especially after the record 67-27 loss to Argentina two weeks ago.

All Blacks survive thrilling Wallabies comeback to cling on to Bledisloe Cup

James Slipper presented with commemorative cap

09:13 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A lovely presentation is made to James Slipper, with George Gregan handing over a special cap to mark Slipper’s surpassing of his Wallabies cap record. The All Blacks form a tunnel to applaud the veteran prop after international appearance 140 - a remarkable number for a true warrior of the sport.

Scott Barrett speaks after securing the retention of the Bledisloe Cup

09:02 , Harry Latham-Coyle

“Probably a bit relieved, to be honest,” the All Blacks skipper says. “In the last 15, we found ourselves in a bit of a hole, but we held on with a bit of scramble defence.

“That’s the nature of the Aussies. They don’t lie down, and they proved that. I’m pleased that the boys could hang on. I’m hugely proud, we were a bit wounded coming back from South Africa and our confidence was a bit low. But we showed tonight, at the start, what we are capable of.

“We front up each day and train pretty hard. We’re still not polished by any means.”

Wallabies full-back Tom Wright speaks to the host broadcaster

09:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle

“That sort of fight has been in our game throughout all eight Test matches this year. We are just not consistent enough, unfortunately. We gave ourselves opportunities in the first half but we gifted too many to them, and they’ll hurt you if you aren’t good enough.

“We wanted to put on a performance that our fans could be proud of. The fans were a big reason why we were able to bounce back after half-time.”

FT: Australia 28-31 New Zealand

08:59 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A few relieved sighs from those in the All Blacks ranks - so near, so far for Australia, but that was a second half performance to re-instil belief both within the squad and into the Wallabies fans.

FULL TIME! Australia 28-31 New Zealand

08:58 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Australia 28-31 New Zealand, 80 minutes

08:56 , Harry Latham-Coyle

This has been remarkable from Australia. New Zealand still have just that Damian McKenzie penalty to show for their second half efforts.

But that may be that! Hunter Paisami is held up by Ardie Savea and TJ Perenara for long enough that referee Karl Dickson calls mauol, and there’s no extricating the ball from the massed bodies.

Survive a scrum, and the All Blacks will have clung on...

TRY! AUSTRALIA 28-31 New Zealand (Tom Wright, 79 minutes)

08:54 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Tom Wright escapes Damian McKenzie’s clutches and the comeback is on!

Noah Lolesio converts to close the gap to three points. What drama in Sydney!

Australia 21-31 New Zealand, 78 minutes

08:53 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Dylan Pietsch is freed on the left and puches to within a metre. Advantage coming...but the Wallabies won’t need it!

Australia 21-31 New Zealand, 77 minutes

08:53 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A first All Blacks cap for Harry Plummer, called in today after Beauden Barrett’s injury. The versatile Blue has gone in to fly half with Damian McKenzie moving to full-back and Will Jordan out to the wing. Anton Lienert-Brown is back on in the centres.

The Wallabies will have a scrum on the edge of New Zealand’s 22 as they force a maul unplayable. Three minutes to find two scores.

Australia 21-31 New Zealand, 76 minutes

08:51 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Penalty to New Zealand! The maul runs aground and lock Jeremy Williams is totally isolated as he bundles into Scott Barrett. Wallace Sititi, producing a star-making performance, is technically perfect in his jackal - that might, might be enough.

Australia 21-31 New Zealand, 75 minutes

08:50 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Anton Lienert-Brown waits to return but will not be allowed to do so before the Wallabies throw a lineout on the All Blacks ten-metre. A score here would really throw the cat among the pigeons.

Forward pass! A dextrous flick from Harry Wilson as he takes contact but it’s forward out of the hand to Andrew Kellaway.

Back for a penalty, though, for a high tackle from Pasilio Tosi. No thought of three - to the right corner Noah Lolesio sends his forwards.

Australia 21-31 New Zealand, 74 minutes

08:47 , Harry Latham-Coyle

New Zealand go into close-out mode, getting their burly men to make conservative carries. But the danger of that strategy is that regular rucks afford the opposition opportunities to try and jackal - and Dylan Pietsch turns over Wallace Sititi to earn the Wallabies a penalty.

Six minutes, ten points. All Blacks coach Scott Robertson shoots a slightly anxious looks across to forwards coach Jason Ryan.

Australia 21-31 New Zealand, 73 minutes

08:46 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Australia sprint beneath the posts to excite sections of the crowd, but a knock-on from Andrew Kellaway earlier had been spotted by just about everyone except referee Karl Dickson. Dickson awards the try before quickly reversing his decision to go back to halfway for a scrum - the All Blacks totally stopped, so will be rather glad.

YELLOW CARD! Caleb Clarke is sent to the sin bin! Australia 21-31 New Zealand, 72 minutes

08:44 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The All Blacks are down to 13 men! Caleb Clarke thrusts out a blocking hand to deny Andrew Kellaway a free run up the right and he’s sent to the sin bin!

He will not return, and there will be a couple of minutes for the Wallabies to play with a two-man advantage.

Australia 21-31 New Zealand, 71 minutes

08:43 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The lineout battle has been good today, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto just doing enough to keep the ball out of Wallace Sititi’s hands. The young All Blacks blindside has been really impressive as a defensive jumper.

Australia 21-31 New Zealand, 70 minutes

08:41 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The All Blacks threaten to allay those fears with a gleeful gambol up the left, Caleb Clarke and Wallace Sititi prominent, but when they come back to the right, the visitors are penalised. Was Harry Wilson on his feet when contesting at the ruck? It appears not, but the officials are satisfied and reward the Wallabies captain’s work.

A worry, though, for James Slipper on his record day - the prop is heading off for an HIA. Angus Bell returns.

Australia 21-31 New Zealand, 69 minutes

08:39 , Harry Latham-Coyle

New Zealand’s final quarter collapses are beginning to become a concern. They were so good in this portion in the England series but they’ve been guilty of giving the game away against Argentina and South Africa (x2) in this Rugby Championship campaign.

Australia 21-31 New Zealand, 68 minutes

08:37 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Australia go straight from the restart! Out of their own 22 Brandon Paenga-Amosa and Fraser McReight lead the charge, Tate McDermott scampering onwards thereafter. TJ Perenara makes a stern tackle to stall momentum, and it’s the scrum half again making a vital intervention to allow a couple of teammates to win a breakdown penalty.

TRY! AUSTRALIA 21-31 New Zealand (Hunter Paisami, 66 minutes)

08:34 , Harry Latham-Coyle

And Hunter Paisami scythes through from close range!

New Zealand are going to lose a player, too. Paisami provides the finishing touches with a cannonball charge after his forwards had gone close, and Anton Lienert-Brown is sent to the sin bin for a succession of All Blacks penalties.

The Wallabies are back within ten.

Australia 14-31 New Zealand, 65 minutes

08:33 , Harry Latham-Coyle

There goes Lukhan Salakaia-Loto! The big lock goes bounding between a gaping hole in the All Blacks fringe defence and crunches to within ten metres of the New Zealand line.

Australia 14-31 New Zealand, 64 minutes

08:32 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A less effective clearance from Perenara a couple of minutes later travels as far as the forearm of the giant Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, and the replacement nine is fortunate that it ricochets right to Damian McKenzie. He completes the clearing job.

Sam Cane is replaced by Luke Jacobson.

Australia 14-31 New Zealand, 62 minutes

08:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A misfire! The All Blacks get two jumpers up and Wallace Sititi, the second of them, ensures Brandon Paenga-Amosa’s throw fails to find its target. TJ Perenara clears quite brilliantly off his left boot.

Australia 14-31 New Zealand, 61 minutes

08:29 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A no-arms tackle from Tamaiti Williams gives Australia a penalty. To the corner they go.

Australia 14-31 New Zealand, 59 minutes

08:27 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The All Blacks haven’t got their red zone intensity or accuracy right in this half, another opportunity squandered with Allan Alaalatoa seemingly the man with the pinching paws. Australia’s defence has been much, much better since the interval.

Australia 14-31 New Zealand, 58 minutes

08:25 , Harry Latham-Coyle

TJ Perenara replaces Ratima at scrum half. An excellent outing from the youngster.

NO TRY! Australia 14-31 New Zealand, 57 minutes

08:22 , Harry Latham-Coyle

And the All Blacks go coast-to-coast to capitalise! But a forward pass will rule it out!

Oh, it was a thing of much magnificence. Damian McKenzie burns Rob Valetini and conects with Will Jordan, who shimmies and shakes a defender. Codie Taylor joins his Crusaders chum and shows his speed, picking his pass perfectly to Cortez Ratima, who finishes superbly.

But Valetini recovered so, so well to snare McKenzie’s shirt, turning the fly half as he passes and thus forcing his toss to Jordan forward. The TMO calls down just as McKenzie prepares to strike his conversion: NO TRY!

Australia 14-31 New Zealand, 56 minutes

08:21 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Lukhan Salakaia-Loto is thrown into the Wallabies tight five, Nick Frost off from the second row. Can the Wallabies force their way back into the contest?

So nearly! Harry Wilson makes a half-break but can’t quite keep his feet for long enough to find a teammate with his pass.

Australia 14-31 New Zealand, 55 minutes

08:19 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Nic White gets a warning from referee Karl Dickson after screaming at the official about...well, I’m not quite sure. It’s Australia’s scrum for a knock on - Dickson lays down the law, though, to White, one former lippy number nine informing a kindred spirit that any further chatback will bring a penalty.

Australia 14-31 New Zealand, 54 minutes

08:17 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Still we wait for the first try of the half. Another Wallabies replacement: after three years out of the side, hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa makes his international return, taking the place of Matt Faessler. Tamaiti Williams is on at loosehead for New Zealand.

Superb work from Harry Wilson to end New Zealand’s latest exploration of the Wallabies 22 - the Australia skipper pilfers possession and allows his side to clear.

Held up! Australia 14-31 New Zealand, 52 minutes

08:14 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The All Blacks forwards pile on the pressure and has Ardie Savea managed to ground? The number eight had been upright in his carry but such is his strength that he might just have writhed free...or not! Held up briliantly by Nic White, Noah Lolesio and Harry Wilson. Karl Dickson was quick his on-field call, and spot on, as a TMO check confirms.

Australia 14-31 New Zealand, 50 minutes

08:12 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A history-making moment - James Slipper replaces Angus Bell and becomes the most-capped Wallabies player of all-time, surpassing George Gregan.

Australia 14-31 New Zealand, 49 minutes

08:12 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A bizarre passage! Both teams throw the ball away: Australia first allow Sam Cane to nip in as three Wallabies watch a bouncing ball but don’t act upon it, affording the flanker the time to nip in. Anton Lienert-Brown’s clever grubber sends Sevu Reece onwards and his pass to Damian McKenzie is sharp - unlike the fly half’s blind ball out the back door that evades a teammate. Curious!

Australia 14-31 New Zealand, 48 minutes

08:10 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A nasty bounce threatens to cause undue stress for Noah Lolesio after Will Jordan had kicked slightly aimlessly ahead, but the fly half composes himself and passes to Nic White, who clears his lines well.

Australia 14-31 New Zealand, 48 minutes

08:09 , Harry Latham-Coyle

But after 14 phases, Ardie Savea latches over the top and draws a holding on penalty.

Australia 14-31 New Zealand, 46 minutes

08:08 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Punchy carries from Len Ikitau and Angus Bell generate momentum for Australia, while Harry Wilson and new man Allan Alaalatoa keep the continuity going. Into the All Blacks 22 they go.

PENALTY! Australia 14-31 NEW ZEALAND (Damian McKenzie, 45 minutes)

08:07 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A simple way to get the second half scoring started for Damian McKenzie, gobbling up three points from bang in front.

Australia 14-28 New Zealand, 44 minutes

08:06 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Anton Lienert-Brown is on for Jordie Barrett and makes metres with his first carry. Australia are then penalised again for playing the ball on the floor.

Scott Barrett points at the sticks.

Australia 14-28 New Zealand, 43 minutes

08:05 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The All Blacks again get a nudge on at scrum time, and are rewarded with a penalty on this occasion.

Australia 14-28 New Zealand, 42 minutes

08:03 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Australia employ the same long lineout play that worked so well for Fraser McReight’s try in the first half, though this time go to the outside and a charging Marika Koroibete. Not for the first time today, the wing can’t take a pass on the run.

Second half...

08:02 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Back underway in Sydney.

HT: Australia 14-28 New Zealand

07:49 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Tough stuff for Australia, unable to counter New Zealand’s pace, power and precision as the All Blacks surged into a lead. It could, and perhaps should, be more of an advantage for the visitors, but until the Wallabies find a way of tightening up defensively the gap only looks set to grow.

Two scores from lineouts courtesy of Fraser McReight and Matt Faessler will give the hosts some hope - but Joe Schmidt’s side will need to be much better in the second half to fight back into this one.

HALF TIME: Australia 14-28 New Zealand

07:47 , Harry Latham-Coyle

NO TRY! Australia 14-28 New Zealand, 40 minutes

07:44 , Harry Latham-Coyle

All too easy!

New Zealand strike on the half-time hooter, their forwards sucking the Wallabies in and the backs sweeping back blind to finish it off through Jordie Barrett.

Scratch that, it won’t count! TMO Stuart Terheege comes in to pick up a knock-on from Sevu Reece...and that looks to be a strange call. Reece’s gather at the base of the ruck wasn’t clean but I’m not sure he’s lost that forward. A curious intervention from the official to deny Barrett a try.

Australia 14-28 New Zealand, 39 minutes

07:43 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A breakdown penalty will grant New Zealand that opportunity...

Australia 14-28 New Zealand, 38 minutes

07:42 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A butchered chance from the All Blacks! Damian McKenzie cuts Australia open, scurrying by Rob Valetini, but his infield pass is behind Sevu Reece with Cortez Ratima waiting to finish beyond the wing.

Given this Wallabies defensive effort, you’d imagine another opportunity will come but that’s a rare moment of imprecision.

TRY! AUSTRALIA 14-28 New Zealand (Matt Faessler, 37 minutes)

07:39 , Harry Latham-Coyle

They can! The maul skes towards the touchline but Matt Faessler picks his timing perfectly to burst away, skipping past Sam Cane, who will be disappointed not to have brought the hooker to ground.

Noah Lolesio converts impressively from the left.

Australia 7-28 New Zealand, 35 minutes

07:38 , Harry Latham-Coyle

New Zealand feel harshly done by as they are pinged despite appearing to be in the ascendancy at the scrum. Can Australia pounce from the penalty? To the corner they will go...

Australia 7-28 New Zealand, 35 minutes

07:36 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Ardie Savea’s try, meanwhile, took him beyond Richie McCaw as the most prolific All Blacks forward of all-time. An extraordinary player.

Australia 7-28 New Zealand, 34 minutes

07:35 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The hosts won’t make much of it - after making initial progress with the maul, the ball becomes tied up in the undergrowth was All Blacks limbs lock around it. Nic White can’t extract it; scrum, New Zealand feed.

Australia 7-28 New Zealand, 33 minutes

07:34 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Tom Wright gets a chance to stretch his legs in the open field, spotting a poorly-formed All Blacks chase. He’s lacking in a teammate to take a pass taht would have allowed the counter-attack to continue, but a lazy New Zealand tackler concedes a penalty for failing to roll away. Australia kick down into the 22.

Australia 7-28 New Zealand, 30 minutes

07:32 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Australia’s attempt to make inroads ends when Codie Taylor strips Rob Valetini, though the Wallabies regather to force Rieko Ioane into touch.

But that’s another silly, sloppy set-piece error. Matt Faessler’s throw has been under pressure so the call is to the front, but the toss to the arriving Angus Bell does not travel the required five metres.

Australia 7-28 New Zealand, 29 minutes

07:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Tupou makes amends with a vital jackal penalty just as the All Blacks build momentum again.

Australia 7-28 New Zealand, 27 minutes

07:29 , Harry Latham-Coyle

That Fraser McReight try aside, Australia have got very little right. Taniela Tupou is deemed the cause of a collapse at scrum time to grant New Zealand another advancement into deep Wallaby territory.

TRY! Australia 7-28 NEW ZEALAND (Ardie Savea, 25 minutes)

07:25 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Australia are the architects of their own downfall!

A perfect illustration of this encounter so far. Australia play out the back thrice just inside their own half but the accuracy is poor, and Hunter Paisami’s pat-on hits the deck. Sevu Reece comes through to collect and has the composure to wait for support, which arrives in the frightening form of Ardie Savea. Try number four arrives inside half-an-hour.

Australia 7-21 New Zealand, 24 minutes

07:24 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A 50:22 from flanker Fraser McReight! The Wallabies turn the ball over on the deck - Taniela Tupou’s jackalling excellent - and McReight goes old school centre half, “’ave it!” as he gets rid. A friendly bounce off the surface skews his kick out of play isnide the All Blacks 22, a huge territorial gain for Australia.

But New Zealand pinch another lineout!

Australia 7-21 New Zealand, 22 minutes

07:22 , Harry Latham-Coyle

One pass too many! Cortez Ratima snipes to within five metres and flicks to Scott Barrett, who could have biffed closer to the line but instead tries to pass blindly to Will Jordan. Alas, there is an Australian defender in the way, who can’t quite believe his luck as Barrett’s pass lands in his lap.

Australia 7-21 New Zealand, 21 minutes

07:21 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The worry for Australia will be that New Zealand look likely to score each time they touch it. Only a crocodile roll from Rieko Ioane, righty penalised, prevents them from charging again into deep Wallabies territory.

Tupou Vaa’i then steals a lineout on halfway. Back the visitors come on the hunt for a fourth score.

TRY! AUSTRALIA 7-21 New Zealand (Fraser McReight, 18 minutes)

07:18 , Harry Latham-Coyle

How Australia needed that!

First chance, first try for the Wallabies, and it is wonderfully worked. Having identified that New Zealand leave the space at the tail of the lineout vacant, a long throw from Matt Faessler finds a fading Rob Valetini, who pops into that gap for Nic White. Fraser McReight goes with his scrum half and is on hand to finish the job.

TRY! Australia 0-21 NEW ZEALAND (Caleb Clarke, 16 minutes)

07:15 , Harry Latham-Coyle

And there is that third try!

Oh, Australia. Having initially repelled the All Blacks, Harry Wilson chucks a pass in the vague direction of Rob Valetini that Caleb Clarke pinches all too easily. New Zealand build pressure, Will Jordan again threatening as he roams with menacing intent, and there’s room for Clarke to gallop into down the left.

There’s still a fair bit to do for the wing, but a step off his left and burly bash into a couple of Australian bodies takes him to within reaching distance of the line.

Australia 0-14 New Zealand, 14 minutes

07:14 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Sevu Reece is twice denied a run to the line up the right, first by a leaping Tom Wright’s intelligent (and important) interception, and then by a forward pass from a tumbling Ardie Savea. The Wallabies feel like they are having to hang on here.

Australia 0-14 New Zealand, 12 minutes

07:13 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Caleb Clarke didn’t perhaps kick on in the way that it looked like he might during the last World Cup cycle but, injury aside, the Blues wing is having an excellent summer. He’s timing his injections much better and beginning to impress as a linking distributor, too.

TRY! Australia 0-14 NEW ZEALAND (Rieko Ioane, 10 minutes)

07:10 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Too much pace, too much power!

A second score from the All Blacks and it’s another cracker. Caleb Clarke sparks it with a dart up the middle, the wing shedding a tackler and offloading to Wallace Sititi. Cortez Ratima weaves between reeling Wallabies and has his pick of a three-man overlap - Rieko Ioane is his chosen recipient, and the centre scores Test try number 37 untouched.

Australia 0-7 New Zealand, 9 minutes

07:08 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Boom! Harry Wilson absolutely thunders through Will Jordan on kick chase, rocking the full-back with a picture perfect tackle.

But there’s space appearing for the visitors thereafter...

Australia 0-7 New Zealand, 7 minutes

07:07 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A bright opening passage in attack from Australia. Hunter Paisami’s hands at the line are tidy and Andrew Kellaway loops to provide extra distributing fingers. Had Marika Koroibete taken a pass at the end of it, the Walabies would have gained 50 metres, but the wing is left frustrated having fumbled a pretty simple take.

Australia 0-7 New Zealand, 4 minutes

07:05 , Harry Latham-Coyle

New Zealand look up for this. More neat handling allows Caleb Clarke to rumble up the left, but a knock-on a couple of rucks later checks their momentum. The Wallabies will feed the game’s first scrum.

TRY! Australia 0-5 NEW ZEALAND (Will Jordan, 2 minutes)

07:02 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Who needs Beauden Barrett? A scintillating finish from Will Jordan!

It’s all too straightforward for the full-back. A pass pulled back at the line by Tupou Vaa’i finds Jordan arcing out the back, with four Wallabies forwards sucked in on a pod of three All Black counterparts. That leaves Rob Valetini isolated and unable to crab across to cover a growing gap that Jordan simply canters through, and the full-back puts his foot down to accelerate between two covering defenders and under the sticks.

Australia 0-0 New Zealand, 1 minute

07:01 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Damian McKenzie almost misjudges his opening kick off, flighting it to land just inside the touchline. Australia are forced into touch.

McKenzie goes to the air in the All Blacks’ first attacking movement...and Noah Lolesio fumbles! Nic White is there to mop up but that was a slightly shaky moment for the fly half.

KICK OFF!

07:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle

And we are underway in Sydney!

Haka

06:59 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The All Blacks lay down the challenge, TJ Perenara leading the Haka as a few Wallabies mean mug. Bledisloe I is upon us.

Anthems

06:56 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A bumper crowd in Sydney give “Advance Australia Fair” a bit of punch. Stadium Australia will host the final Lions Test next August - built for the 2000 Olympics, it’s quite the place.

Australia vs New Zealand

06:50 , Harry Latham-Coyle

James Slipper leads the Wallabies out past a clutch of Australian greats, George Gregan and John Eales among those clapping him out. The loosehead’s longevity and consistency over these last 14 years have been incredible, riding his side’s ups and downs.

Australia vs New Zealand

06:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Here we go then. Can Australia capitalise on that late New Zealand shuffle and keep their hopes of a first Bledisloe Cup in more than two decades alive?

Australia vs New Zealand

06:40 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A significant blow, then, for the All Blacks, losing such an experienced and important figure. Will Jordan’s long-term future may well be at full-back but Scott Robertson had talked up how well his chosen back three fit together; a late reshuffle is never welcome.

Late team news

06:37 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Late breaking team news from Sydney - Beauden Barrett has been ruled out due to injury. Will Jordan moves to full-back and Sevu Reece starts on the wing.

Harry Plummer could make his debut off the bench.

Australia vs New Zealand match officials

06:35 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Referee: Karl Dickson (Eng)

Assistant Referees: Nika Amashukeli (Geo) & Damian Schneider (Arg)

TMO: Stuart Terheege (Eng)

A big day for Damian McKenzie

06:25 , Harry Latham-Coyle

There is just a little bit of pressure developing on Damian McKenzie, the fly half perhaps not having hit the heights some expected during this extended run in the starting shirt. There are a few moving parts at play when it comes to the future of the All Blacks’ tens: McKenzie is being linked with a move to the Top 14, while Richie Mo’unga suggested earlier this year that he could cut his three-year deal in Japan short to return to New Zealand.

For now, though, it is McKenzie’s show to run and there is a need to nail the basics slightly better than he did in those two South Africa Tests. The flashes have never been the problem for the Chiefs fulcrum - but ensuring that the All Blacks play in the right way in the right areas will go a long way towards securing Bledisloe Cup success.

Nic White back amongst things for Australia

06:15 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A start for the scrappy Nic White suggests that Australia will try to get in New Zealand’s faces, the scrum half an expert at riling the opposition and energising his own side. Uncertainty over the future direction in the halves is, more broadly, a concern for Joe Schmidt as he considers how best to take this team forward, with whispers that former All Black Tawera Kerr-Barlow may be called up ahead of their European tour. Kerr-Barlow has been very, very good for La Rochelle over the last few years after winning his last New Zealand cap in 2017.

Joe Schmidt with inside knowledge of All Blacks

06:05 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Joe Schmidt spent the last two years as a senior advisor to Ian Foster, helping to orchestate the turnaround that took the All Blacks to last year’s World Cup final. While Scott Robertson’s arrival has changed the New Zealand environment, Schmidt can still count upon inside knowledge to some degree as he looks to get one over his compatriots.

“I know their strengths and I know their weaknesses, they probably have a lot less of those than they do strengths,” the Wallabies head coach said.

“They were a great group. But I really enjoy these guys I’m working with now.

“The Bledisloe is a massive trophy. It’s something that I know the All Blacks treasure and the Wallabies would like to treasure.

“It would be great if they could at least get a hand on it and keep it alive to Wellington.

“But I think what we’ve been working on is just trying to do elements of the game better, rather than talking about anything that’s outcome focused.”

Scott Robertson explains Beauden Barrett’s return

05:55 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Beauden Barrett‘s return in the number 15 jersey means a shift to the right wing for Will Jordan with Caleb Clarke recalled to the left wing after recovering from injury. Sevu Reece drops to the bench as back-three cover.

“When Caleb came back, the best balance for us was to put Beauden at fullback and Will on the wing,” All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson said on Thursday.

“They’ve had a great combination there, all three of them have. [Will]’s played some great test footy on the wing. Just because he’s starting on the wing doesn’t mean he can’t finish at fullback.

“We have selected an experienced team which has combinations that have played some of our best rugby this season. The Bledisloe Cup is so revered by both of these teams, we are expecting a classic showdown against our Australian rivals.”

Team news - New Zealand

05:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Ethan de Groot is fit to return from a neck injury and starts at loosehead for New Zealand, while Beauden Barrett is also brought back into the run-on side. The eldest Barrett brother’s inclusion sees Will Jordan shift to the right wing, and Pasilio Tosi is set for only a second cap as the reserve tighthead.

New Zealand XV: 1 Ethan de Groot, 2 Codie Taylor, 3 Tyrel Lomax; 4 Scott Barrett (capt.), 5 Tupou Vaa’i; 6 Wallace Sititi, 7 Sam Cane, 8 Ardie Savea; 9 Cortez Ratima, 10 Damian McKenzie; 11 Caleb Clarke, 12 Jordie Barrett, 13 Rieko Ioane, 14 Will Jordan; 15 Beauden Barrett.

Replacements: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Tamaiti Williams, 18 Pasilio Tosi, 19 Sam Darry, 20 Luke Jacobson; 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Anton Lienert-Brown, 23 Sevu Reece.

Team news - Australia

05:40 , Harry Latham-Coyle

James Slipper is in line to surpass George Gregan as the most capped Wallabies player of all-time when the loosehead wins his 140th cap off the bench. Fraser McReight and Hunter Paisami return from injury in the back row and centres respectively, while Nic White and Noah Lolesio form a new half-back partnership with Jake Gordon and Ben Donaldson dropping out of the squad entirely.

Australia XV: 1 Angus Bell, 2 Matt Faessler, 3 Taniela Tupou; 4 Nick Frost, 5 Jeremy Williams; 6 Rob Valetini, 7 Fraser McReight, 8 Harry Wilson (capt.); 9 Nic White, 10 Noah Lolesio; 11 Marika Koroibete, 12 Hunter Paisami, 13 Len Ikitau, 14 Andrew Kellaway; 15 Tom Wright

Replacements: 16 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 17 James Slipper, 18 Allan Alaalatoa, 19 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 20 Langi Gleeson; 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Tom Lynagh, 23 Dylan Pietsch.

Australian rugby chief dismisses talk of one-sided British and Irish Lions series despite record defeat

05:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Australian rugby chief Phil Waugh has dismissed fears that next summer’s British and Irish Lions series could be uncompetitive, insisting that the Wallabies are making “progress” despite a record defeat to Argentina.

Joe Schmidt’s Australia were thrashed 67-27 by the Pumas to continue a difficult Rugby Championship campaign and now face back-to-back Bledisloe Cup encounters with New Zealand.

It follows a pool stage exit from last year’s World Cup under Eddie Jones, who subsequently departed for Japan, while this year has also seen the Melbourne Rebels fold amid financial issues.

Worries have therefore grown that next summer’s tour could lose lustre with Andy Farrell’s Lions strong favourites to sweep their hosts.

But Waugh, capped 79 times by the Wallabies during his playing career believes there is “plenty of time” for Schmidt to arrest the slide and turn Australia around.

Australian rugby chief dismisses talk of one-sided Lions series despite record defeat

James Slipper set to break caps record

05:15 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Australia captain Harry Wilson said sending James Slipper home a winner after his record 140th test was a major motivation for the team ahead of their Rugby Championship Test against New Zealand.

Slipper, 35, will surpass George Gregan as Australia’s most-capped player when he comes off the bench as a replacement prop at Stadium Australia in the first of back-to-back tests against the All Blacks.

“It’s a massive motivation for us this weekend, he is a great servant to our game and he’s a great mate to everyone in the team,” number eight Wilson told reporters outside the Sydney Opera house on Friday.

“He’s been such a good person for Australian rugby and I really hope we can do him proud tomorrow.”

Wilson said the players had made up 140th test T-shirts and Slipper had been showered with congratulatory messages from everyone from former Wallabies team mates to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

Australia vs New Zealand

05:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle

It is more than two decades now since Australia last held the Bledisloe Cup, though they arrive with hope of ending that run. Joe Schmidt can welcome back Fraser McReight and Hunter Paisami, two of his best performers this year, while the Kiwi coach has urged his side to focus on the fact that they played relatively well for three halves in Argentina, asking them to forget the second half collapse as the Pumas ran riot a fortnight ago.

The Wallabies are obviously underdogs but their record this year mirrors that of their visitors: won four, lost three.

Australia vs New Zealand LIVE

Friday 20 September 2024 08:12 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A very good day to you, and welcome along to The Independent’s LIVE coverage of the penultimate round of the 2024 Rugby Championship. Australia and New Zealand have had a fortnight to lick their wounds after damaging defeats to Argentina and South Africa respectively, and now brace for the first of back-to-back Bledisloe Cup battles in Sydney. Can the Wallabies show signs of life to salvage their campaign? Or will the All Blacks return to full force and cling on to the trans-Tasman prize?

Kick off is at 6.45am BST.