Rugby Championship: New Zealand close in on the title by crushing Australia

New Zealand beat Australia (40-14) on the sixth and final day of the Rugby Championship on Saturday 24 September in Auckland and took a step towards the title while waiting for the outcome of their long distance duel with South Africa.

Thanks to the attacking bonus won by the Australians, the New Zealanders lead the standings with 19 points. South Africa, who host Argentina at 5:05pm (Paris time, GMT+2), must also win the attacking bonus and have a margin of at least 39 points to hope to win the competition in the overall goal average. This major victory and this third consecutive success in the Rugby Championship give some air to Ian Foster, a manager who has defied ups and downs, with six defeats in his last 11 matches.

“I’m happy with the performance, we can always improve, but I liked our style,” Foster said after the match. After their hard-fought victory in Melbourne last week (39-37), winning a try after the siren, the New Zealanders showed more control on Saturday at Eden Park in a uniquely one-sided match.

It was winger Will Jordan who found the way to the target first (23), for his 21st try in as many selections, well served by Jordy Barrett and after passing Australian center Jason Pittaya in the run.

Then Ian Foster’s men showed their mettle and were rewarded with a penalty try (27) after the Wallabies’ knock-out fell just in front of goal. They took off in the second half, still thanks to the forwards, with tries from Samuel Whitelock (47th), Cody Taylor (54th) and Samsune Takeyaho (66th). Difficult to defend for a long time, the Blacks surrendered only twice, first after a kick that New Zealand opener Richie Muonga blocked with a try from Colby Vaenga (60), and then the end of the match completely, flattening Pitaya under the posts. (80 + the second).

“Stopping them from scoring in the first 60 minutes was massive,” said All Blacks captain Samuel Whitelock. The most punished team in the competition, Australia again showed indiscipline, notably punishing them with two yellow cards (Jed Holloway from the third, Dave Borecki at the 27th), taking their total to 9, again rugby’s highest, championship. Among the four major countries in the southern hemisphere.

“Playing at 13 after the two yellow cards in the first half really put us on the defensive, and get to know Wallabies outpost and captain James Slipper. It’s a very disappointing result for us.”