Rattled All Blacks have points to prove despite lifting Wellington curse

New Zealand 33 Australia 13

The curse of the capital is finally lifted. New Zealand had been without a win in Wellington since 2018 but, ultimately, the manner of this victory over their closest rivals Australia was comfortable if not entirely convincing as the All Blacks won the Bledisloe Cup.

For stretches, particularly in the first half, the Wallabies’ cerebral, spirited attack had the All Blacks rattled, just as it did at the end of last weekend’s encounter in Sydney. There were ingenious first-phase strike moves, funky five-metre tapped-penalties and an audacity to run from deep – all with the hallmarks of Joe Schmidt, Australia’s Kiwi head coach – which at times had New Zealand chasing shadows. The issue for the Wallabies was that they could not sustain the creativity for 80 minutes, but their spirit proved they have potential despite their second consecutive fourth-placed finish.

Despite the victory, depending on what happens in this afternoon’s title decider between South Africa and Argentina in Mbombela, New Zealand could finish Scott Robertson’s debut championship as head coach in third. The likelihood is, however, that Saturday’s five-try victory in Wellington will have secured second place for the All Blacks, who remain without a Rugby Championship title since 2019.

The Wallabies’s reward for a quick start in the New Zealand capital came in the eighth minute, when flanker Fraser McReight barrelled over from close range. Noah Lolesio’s boot kept Australia’s noses in front after the All Blacks had opened their account with tries from Sevu Reece and Will Jordan. The match’s key moment came on the stroke of half-time, with the Wallabies a point ahead, with New Zealand turning down an eminently kickable three points and punting into the corner. Australia managed to scupper the All Blacks’ attack but a fabulous run from Caleb Clarke saw the wing under the sticks untouched for the first of his two tries.

That was the killer blow for Australia; New Zealand had been second best for 40 minutes and yet headed in for half-time oranges ahead on the scoreboard. From there, no matter the power of Taniela Tupou, the industry of Harry Wilson, nor the pace-power balance of the Wallabies back three, New Zealand accelerated. With Wallace Sititi running riot on the back row, Clarke’s second and a powerful surge from replacement prop Tamaiti Williams put the result beyond doubt.

Next up for these two is a tour of the northern hemisphere in the autumn. Both face England at Twickenham and Ireland in Dublin, with the All Blacks also travelling to Paris and Rome; Australia also face Wales and Scotland. Both will have points to prove.

Match details

Scoring sequence: McReight try (0-7), Reece try (5-7), Lolesio penalty (5-10), Jordan try (12-10), Lolesio penalty (12-13), Clarke try (19-13), Williams try (26-13), Clarke try (33-13)

New Zealand: Jordan; Reece (McKenzie, 62), Ioane (Havili, 66), Lienert-Brown, Clarke; Barrett, Perenara (Ratima, 62); De Groot (Williams, 52), Taylor (Aumua, 66), Lomax (Tosi, 66), S Barrett (capt), Vaa’i (Tuipulotu, 62), Sititi, Cane (Jacobson, 67), Savea.
Australia: Wright; Kellaway, Ikitau (Donaldson, 75), Paisami, Pietsch (Flook, 63); Lolesio, Gordon (McDermott, 60); Bell (Kailea, 60), Faessler (Paenga-Amosa, 49), Tupou (Alaalatoa, 44), Frost (Salakaia-Loto, 58), Williams, Valetini (Gleeson, 60), McReight, Wilson (capt).
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (GRU)

New Zealand v Australia: As it happened ...

10:12 AM BST

Upcoming fixtures for Australia

Saturday 9th November: England

Sunday 17th November: Wales

Sunday 24th November: Scotland

Saturday 30th November: Ireland

10:11 AM BST

Upcoming fixtures for New Zealand

Saturday 26th October: Japan

Saturday 2nd November: England

Friday 8th November: Ireland

Saturday 16th November: France

Saturday 23rd November: Italy

10:09 AM BST

State of play

Here is how the table looks with one game remaining, which sees South Africa host Argentina in Nelspruit:

1. South Africa: 5 games, 19 pts

2. New Zealand: 6 games, 16 pts

3. Argentina: 5 games, 14 pts

4. Australia: 6 games. 5pts

A fairly miserable competition for Joe Schmidt’s side, bottom by a mile with just one win to their name.

10:04 AM BST

Captain Scott Barrett speaking post-match

“We are relieved to ‘reverse the [Wellington] curse’. We did not start too well but I am really pleased with how we finished; the grit in defence and holding out Australia.”

On their poor last 20 minutes during this Rugby Championship”

“We have been talking about it for the last three weeks. We talked about our effort, which showed tonight on our own line so it was pleasing not to let them in.”

On TJ Perenara and Sam Cane:

“Both have given a lot to the jersey. TJ at home here [in Wellington], he has been impressive this week. Sam, 100 Tests, every time he comes out he puts his body on the line and am hugely proud of him.”

On final home game of 2024:

“Pleased to finish on a high in our last home game of 2024. I would like to thank the home fans for coming out tonight, it was amazing, and everyone at home. Thank you very much.”

09:59 AM BST

The thoughts of centurion Sam Cane

On the back-rowers coming through:

09:54 AM BST

Full-time

McKenzie smashes the ball out of play and New Zealand finish the 2024 Rugby Championship with a 33-13 win over Australia. They will not win the competition this year but finish on a high with back-to-back victories over Australia to retain the Bledisloe Cup once again. New Zealand will feel it is a fitting result for Sam Cane, who became the 13th All Black to play 100 Tests for the nation.

09:50 AM BST

78 mins: New Zealand 33 Australia 13

Australia set the maul but New Zealand do really well to disrupt it and win the scrum.

09:50 AM BST

77 mins: New Zealand 33 Australia 13

Wright makes a break and slides a kick across to Kellaway on the right wing. From the breakdown on the edge of the New Zealand 22, Clarke is penalised for offside and is shown a yellow card. Australia go to the corner...

09:49 AM BST

75 mins: New Zealand 33 Australia 13

New Zealand approach the Australia 22 after a great set-piece move from McKenzie and Jordan, who are just so dangerous with ball in hand. Australia though win the penalty and can move downfield. Five minutes remain.

09:44 AM BST

72 mins: New Zealand 33 Australia 13

Australia win the line-out and set the maul but captain Wilson knocks on just a few metres from the New Zealand line.

09:43 AM BST

70 mins: New Zealand 33 Australia 13

It will likely be too little, too late but Australia are into the New Zealand 22 once again. Wilson looks like he will be held up but he flicks the ball back to his teammate. New Zealand are offside so Australia have a penalty advantage. They cannot take advantage of it so we go back for the penalty just five metres out. New Zealand captain Scott Barrett is given a similar warning to Harry Wilson not long ago that the next infringement will result in a yellow. Barrett argues that is the first penalty near their line but the referee is having none of it.

09:39 AM BST

67 mins: New Zealand 33 Australia 13

Australia have one of their first forays into the New Zealand 22 in a while but are penalised for holding on within 10 metres of the New Zealand line.

The whole of Wellington rises as centurion Cane comes off on his 100th cap. Potentially the last cap in New Zealand for Cane.

09:37 AM BST

TRY! Clarke adds another for New Zealand

That will be game, set and match. New Zealand work it well down the left as a couple of passes out the back send Clarke clear down the left-hand touchline inside the Australia 22. He is so difficult to stop and, despite the best efforts of Paisami, Clarke gets over with his momentum. B Barrett gets the conversion and the home side now lead 33-13. That is their first points in the final quarter of a game during this Rugby Championship.

09:34 AM BST

63 mins: New Zealand 26 Australia 13

An emotional moment for Perenara, who leaves the field that he has called home for so long with the Hurricanes in Super Rugby. This could well be the last time he plays in a New Zealand jersey on home soil and the crowd give him a good send-off.

09:33 AM BST

62 mins: New Zealand 26 Australia 13

New Zealand think they have scored and for quite a while it looks like the officials have missed a couple of knock-ons in the build-up but before B Barrett can take the conversion he is stopped so the TMO can take a look. Taylor knocked the ball on on the ground and Cane also knocked on in the build-up. The try is correctly disallowed and, in all honesty, it could have been ruled out for a number of reasons. In the end it is rightly chalked off.

09:29 AM BST

60 mins: New Zealand 26 Australia 13

Another penalty goes the way of New Zealand and Australia captain Wilson has received a warning that the next infringement will result in a yellow card. New Zealand to the corner...

09:27 AM BST

59 mins: New Zealand 26 Australia 13

New Zealand surprisingly do not have a great recent record in Wellington, winless in their last five games in this stadium. But they are starting to turn the screw now with 20 minutes remaining. Ratima and McKenzie are preparing to come on as New Zealand hit the Australia 22.

09:23 AM BST

TRY! New Zealand extend their advantage

Taylor goes to the back of the line-out and finds Sititi. New Zealand set the maul but break out through Taylor. They keep it tight through the forwards and have a penalty advantage for offside. They do not need the penalty though as Williams, having only just come on, powers over under the posts for his second Test try. The conversion is as easy as it gets and New Zealand now lead 26-13. A commanding and unassailable lead now?

09:21 AM BST

54 mins: New Zealand 19 Australia 13

Jordan is so lethal with ball in hand. The ball is loose in midfield and he accelerates into the Australia 22. New Zealand have it just a few metres out and have a penalty advantage. We go back to that penalty and New Zealand are going to the corner, just five metres out...

09:19 AM BST

52 mins: New Zealand 19 Australia 13

The ‘All Blacks’ chant goes up in the stands as New Zealand head into the Australia 22 but Ioane knocks on so the chance is gone for the home side. They make a change in the front-row as Williams replaces de Groot.

09:16 AM BST

49 mins: New Zealand 19 Australia 13

I think that is what you call village rugby there. New Zealand win a penalty just inside the Australia half and Perenara opts to go quickly. But, in his attempt to show urgency, he knocks the ball on as he takes the quick tap and Australia win the scrum.

The customary rendition of ‘Sweet Caroline’ rings around the stadium in Wellington.

09:12 AM BST

46 mins: New Zealand 19 Australia 13

What will give Australia hope in this match is how poor New Zealand have been in the final quarter of games during this Rugby Championship. But they nearly shoot themselves in the foot. Pietsch’s kick ahead is blocked and caught by Jordan, who sprints ahead down the right-hand touchline. He kicks ahead towards the try line but Australia recover to deny the hosts.

09:10 AM BST

44 mins: New Zealand 19 Australia 13

B Barrett attempts a cheeky kick over the top into the Australia 22 and it nearly finds Jordan but Gordon gathers the ball and kicks away from danger.

Tupou’s time in this game has finally come to an end as Alaalatoa replaces him.

09:07 AM BST

42 mins: New Zealand 19 Australia 13

Tupou was down a minute into the first half with a knee injury but managed to play on. Just over a minute into the second half he is down receiving treatment again after a stinger to his shoulder. Like in the first half he will be able to continue for now.

09:05 AM BST

Second half

We are back under way in Wellington. Will New Zealand complete another victory over Australia or can Joe Schmidt’s side bounce back?

08:50 AM BST

TRY! Hosts take lead into half-time

New Zealand already have a penalty advantage as Australia illegally bring down the maul. Lienert-Brown times his offload to perfection and Clarke runs a great line. There is no stopping the winger there as he goes over. B Barrett lands the easiest of conversions from out in front and New Zealand lead 19-13 at the break.

08:48 AM BST

39 mins: New Zealand 12 Australia 13

Into the final minute of this first half and New Zealand will have the final say as they have a penalty inside the Australia 22. They could go for goal but instead take the aggressive option and go to the corner...

08:45 AM BST

PENALTY! Lolesio restores Australia’s lead

One of the easier kicks from right in front of the posts and Australia lead by one with three minutes left in this first half.

08:44 AM BST

36 mins: New Zealand 12 Australia 10

Australia have a number of penalty advantages as they enter into the New Zealand 22. McReight comes so close to adding to his earlier try but is held up over the line so we go back for the Australia penalty for a tackle off the ball by centurion Cane. It is an easy three points so Australia point to the posts...

08:39 AM BST

32 mins: New Zealand 12 Australia 10

Instead of kicking from their own 22, Australia opt to run it out. Wright pulls off a great inside step and makes a great break. He gets towards halfway but he gets his offload towards Kellaway all wrong.

08:37 AM BST

29 mins: New Zealand 12 Australia 10

New Zealand have a penalty in a central position just inside the Australia half as Tupou is penalised for a no-arms tackle. They go for the corner instead of going for goal but great work from Piestch keeps it in play and Australia can then clear towards halfway.

08:33 AM BST

26 mins: New Zealand 12 Australia 10

Australia go through double-digit phases outside the New Zealand 22 but make no real inroads. It is a good defensive set by the home side, who end up ushering Austrlia into touch.

08:30 AM BST

TRY! Jordan gets New Zealand’s second of the game

Australia were on top but they now found themselves behind. New Zealand make their way towards the Australia 22. Jordan runs a good line and then through sublime footwork, the dangerous full-back skips through and goes over relatively untouched. B Barrett gets the conversion and New Zealand take the lead for the first time.

08:27 AM BST

19 mins: New Zealand 5 Australia 10

Straight from the kick-off, Clarke is penalised for taking Frost out in the air. Initially it was deemed a fair contest but then Clarke was pinged.

08:26 AM BST

PENALTY! Australia extend lead

Lolesio lands the penalty and Australia lead 10-5 just shy of the 20-minute mark in Wellington.

08:25 AM BST

18 mins: New Zealand 5 Australia 7

That is what you call a coach-killer. New Zealand are pinged for not releasing and Australia win the penalty. Tupou was the man to win the penalty at the breakdown and he has seemingly recovered from that early knock. Lolesio goes for goal...

08:24 AM BST

TRY! New Zealand respond through Reece

It all stems from a turnover in midfield, wher Vaa’i charges forward. New Zealand then ship it to the right and after great footwork from Sititi, he offloads to Lienert-Brown. A terrific pass to his right finds Reece on the right-hand touchline, who has too much pace for Ikitau and goes over. B Barrett cannot land the conversion so Australia lead by two.

08:22 AM BST

15 mins: New Zealand 0 Australia 7

For the first time today New Zealand make a good break down the left-hand touchline through Clarke, who is so dangerous with ball in hand. They make their way up to the Australia 22 but at a crucial moment try-scorer McReight wins a big penalty at the breakdown to relieve the pressure on the visitors.

08:20 AM BST

13 mins: New Zealand 0 Australia 7

The start to this match has been a complete and utter contrast to Bledisloe Cup Act I a week ago. New Zealand raced into a dominant lead in the first 20 minutes but today Australia have been the ones to get off to a fast start.

08:17 AM BST

10 mins: New Zealand 0 Australia 7

Straight from the kick-off, Australia break from their own 22. Ikitau is the man to make the initial break and through a series of good offloads, they make it into the New Zealand but the ball goes forward.

08:16 AM BST

TRY! McReight gives Australia the lead

The away side have an early lead. McReight, who scored in Sydney last weekend in a losing cause, powers over from close range to get the first try of the match. Lolesio smashes the conversion straight through the middle from wide out and Australia lead 7-0 inside the opening 10 minutes.

08:14 AM BST

7 mins: New Zealand 0 Australia 0

The arm is out for another penalty advantage and, after a good defensive set by New Zealand, we go back to the penalty to Australia. The visitors take a quick tap...

08:13 AM BST

5 mins: New Zealand 0 Australia 0

This has been a much better start for Australia this week compared to last, not that it is hard! They have a penalty inside the New Zealand 22 after going through numerous unsuccessful phases. They kick to the corner rather than go for the posts...

08:11 AM BST

3 mins: New Zealand 0 Australia 0

How have Australia mucked that up? It is a great move down the blindside by the visitors as Kelleway breaks down the right-hand touchline. He kicks ahead and the bounce gives Jordan all sorts of troile. Barrett then makes a mess of picking up the ball, which gives Gordon the chance to flop on the ball and score, but he knocks on over the line. Big let-off for New Zealand, huge missed opportunity for Australia.

08:09 AM BST

2 mins: New Zealand 0 Australia 0

Tupou is going to attempt to play on as play will resume with a scrum so a real test of how Tupou’s right knee is feeling.

08:08 AM BST

1 min: New Zealand 0 Australia 0

Play is halted just 60 seconds into the game as Tupou is down for Australia. He is a huge unit and has stayed down after carrying the ball into contact. He does not look good and this would be an early blow for the visitors, especially as Alaalatoa would have to play nearly the full 80 minutes at tighthead prop, which is far from ideal for a front-row player.

08:05 AM BST

Kick-off

We are under way in Wellington.

08:03 AM BST

Haka time

As is customary, New Zealand perform the haka ahead of kick-off in front of a packed-out crowd in Wellington.

07:57 AM BST

Anthem time

Both sides emerge from the tunnel in Wellington, Australia led out by captain Harry Wilson, New Zealand by 100-cap man and former captain Sam Cane. He becomes the 13th man to do so after his debut in 2012 and this could well be his last cap for New Zealand as he heads to Japan. He has a beaming smile across his face as he comes out onto the pitch and looks to be revelling in this moment.

Now it is time for the national anthems; ‘Advance Australia Fair’ followed by ‘God Defend New Zealand’.

07:53 AM BST

Reminder of the team news

New Zealand starting XV: Jordan; Reece, Ioane, Lienert-Brown, Clarke; Barrett, Perenara; De Groot, Taylor, Lomax, S Barrett (capt), Vaa’i, Sititi, Cane, Savea.

Replacements: Aumua, Williams, Tosi, Tuipulotu, Jacobson, Ratima, McKenzie, Havili.

Australia starting XV: Wright; Kellaway, Ikitau, Paisami, Pietsch; Lolesio, Gordon; Bell, Faessler, Tupou, Frost, Williams, Valetini, McReight, Wilson (capt).

Replacements: Paenga-Amosa, Kailea, Alaalatoa, Salakaia-Loto, Gleeson, McDermott, Donaldson, Flook.

07:42 AM BST

What can Australia do?

It has not been the easiest of starts for Australia head coach Joe Schmidt. He replaced Eddie Jones after a dismal World Cup for Australia, but has won just one game during this Rugby Championship and they will finish bottom of the table no matter what happens today.

07:36 AM BST

Milestone for Cane

07:31 AM BST

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07:25 AM BST

The thoughts of New Zealand captain Scott Barrett

On New Zealand’s poor recent record in Wellington:

“Probably clutching at straws here thinking back. I guess the last time we’re here, we’re against Argentina and we couldn’t get out of our own half. That was a huge problem in that game and we were slow to adapt.

“No two Tests matches are the same but we want to front up and get the win tomorrow night. We want to finish this (Rugby) Championship strong.

“We’ve felt like we haven’t had a complete performance this season yet so we’re looking to do that tomorrow night.”

“We’ve had a great week. A few milestones, the last game for a few guys who this has been their home ground for a long time so we’ve touched on that and we want to make it a special night for them.

“You do have to touch on (the milestones), you can draw upon that for energy and your fuel for the team. We have done that but we have to front up tomorrow night.”

07:21 AM BST

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07:16 AM BST

Team news

Scott Robertson has decided to change his fly-halves as Beauden Barrett, who missed last weekend’s win over Australia due to illness, getting the nod ahead of Damian McKenzie, who has been an ever-present for Robertson. Barrett’s brother Jordie is out with a knee injury so Anton Lienert-Brown replaces him at inside centre. Both half-backs have been changed as TJ Perenara starts at scrum-half.

New Zealand starting XV: Jordan; Reece, Ioane, Lienert-Brown, Clarke; Barrett, Perenara; De Groot, Taylor, Lomax, S Barrett (capt), Vaa’i, Sititi, Cane, Savea.

Replacements: Aumua, Williams, Tosi, Tuipulotu, Jacobson, Ratima, McKenzie, Havili.

Australia make two changes to their starting XV as winger Marika Koroibete is injured, so he is replaced by Dylan Pietsch. Joe Schmidt continues to change his scrum-halves as Jake Gordon, who was not in the matchday squad last week, starts with Nic White dropping out entirely. James Slipper, who became the country’s most-capped player last weekend, is ruled out through injury so is replaced on the Australia bench by Isaac Aedo Kailea.

Australia starting XV: Wright; Kellaway, Ikitau, Paisami, Pietsch; Lolesio, Gordon; Bell, Faessler, Tupou, Frost, Williams, Valetini, McReight, Wilson (capt).

Replacements: Paenga-Amosa, Kailea, Alaalatoa, Salakaia-Loto, Gleeson, McDermott, Donaldson, Flook.

07:05 AM BST

Bledisloe Cup Act II

Good morning and welcome to coverage from the final round of the 2024 Rugby Championship as New Zealand host Australia in Wellington. Last weekend we were treated to a thriller in Sydney in the first Bledisloe Cup match of 2024. New Zealand had raced to a 21-0 lead inside the opening 20 minutes before Australia rallied to make it a tense ending as New Zealand held on in the end to win 31-28. Victory in Sydney last Saturday means that New Zealand have retained the Bledisloe Cup for another year as Australia’s wait to get their hands back on the trophy goes on; they have not won the Bledisloe Cup since 2002.

New Zealand sit in third place on 11 points after just two wins in their five games so far, behind South Africa and Argentina. New Zealand have won the majority of the Rugby Championships since Argentina joined the competition just over a decade ago, winning 10 of the 12 editions, but could finish up in third come the end of the day. Australia are rooted to the bottom of the table on five points with just the one victory to their name and will remain last no matter what happens this weekend.

One man who will not be lining up for New Zealand today is Jordie Barrett, who has been ruled out with an injury to his medial collateral ligament in his left knee. He limped off at half-time during the win over Australia in Sydney and is a doubt for the start of the Autumn Internationals in November. Leinster fans may be a little concerned as well, with Barrett set to join them in December on a short-term deal. One Barrett is missing but another is back from illness as Beauden Barrett is preferred to Damian McKenzie at fly-half. McKenzie has started all eight games that New Zealand head coach Scott Robertson has been in charge but Barrett, on his 131th cap, will get the start.

“We were always planning to give Beauden a go,” said Robertson. “Damian [McKenzie] has started every game until now and we’ve got to give guys opportunities. He’s had a great season to date. There’s areas of his game he can get better, but he can come on and game-manage what we need to do to finish the match.”

It will be a proud day for Sam Cane, who will today become the 13^th player to play 100 Tests for New Zealand. You would think home advantage is key and for so many years it was for New Zealand as they were almost unbeatable, especially at home. However they are winless in five Tests in Wellington, dating back to 2018, so perhaps that will give hope to an Australian side lacking in confidence.

Later today South Africa host Argentina in the final game, with South Africa close to winning their first Rugby Championship since 2019.