New Zealand’s record win over Australia

New Zealand hit hard from the start by crushing Australia (43-5, 26-0 in the first half) in the opening rugby tournament, thus winning the Bledisloe Cup, the traditional cup between the two teams, on Saturday at ANZ Stadium in Sydney. This is the All Blacks’ biggest success against the Wallabies, now ahead of the 43-6 signed in New Zealand in 1996. In the heavy rain, the All Blacks scored six attempts and half of them were Richie Mo’unga, composing 23 points (2 attempts, 5 diversions, 1 penalty). It was especially wonderful.

Sam Cane’s teammates immediately put a terrible pressure on the Australian XV, which quickly reflected on the scoreboard: from the sixth minute, column Karl Tu’inukuafe wrapped up a Blacks hack that was run after the key. And in the minutes that followed, New Zealand were denied two attempts after watching the video, Dan Cole, the new phenomenon Caleb Clark in the 11th and 14th minutes, was unable to control the ball inside the goal. It would have discouraged more than one team. Not so from the All Blacks, who added three more attempts in those first 40 minutes, including two from Mo’unga, to reach the break in the final score of 26-0. Tests took place, like the second Test from Mo’unga, who sailed to defend the Wallabies before flattening on a superb cross pass from Aaron Smith behind a regrouper.

almost complete copy

Disciplined, conquering, and adventurous, New Zealand made an almost perfect copy: one penalty kick against them in the 33rd minute, and one hand foul that occurred. Toinokawaf, the author of the first attempt in the 15th minute, was convicted. In a more volatile second period, the Australians recovered, leading the New Zealanders several times to make the mistake of regrouping. They then took advantage of some of their opponents’ relaxation to score their only attempt in the opener, Noah Lolisio. But Michael Hooper’s teammates weren’t around for long. After about twenty minutes of buoyancy, the All Blacks set out again to assault the Australian lines, which they have breached two more times in the past 10 minutes. Winger Rico Ewan, the luxurious substitute, scored his 25th attempt in 31 games in the 72nd minute, then Jordi Barrett completed the first Blacks victory after a superb run, set off with a low pass, Muunga, the man of the match.