Late penalty helps All Blacks edge Wallabies
MATCH REPORT: New Zealand dodged a bullet with a spirited second-half comeback to narrowly beat Australia 23-20 in front of a packed Dunedin.
Trailing 3-17 at halftime, the All Blacks scored two unanswered tries in the second half, while a 79th-minute penalty courtesy of Richie Mo'unga proved to be the difference during a hard-fought battle.
*To recap all the action CLICK HERE!!!
Though the All Blacks emerged victors, with debutants flank Samipeni Finau and wing Shaun Stevenson scoring the All Blacks' tries, it has to be said they were fortunate to be on the right side of the score as they were far from a polished outfit.
In contrast, the Wallabies produced an encouraging performance. They rushed to a 14-0 lead with Marika Koroibete and Tom Hooper crossing the line in the first eight minutes to silence the Dunedin crowd.
Eddie Jones' men deprived the All Blacks of possession and had an early penalty. The visitors' opted for a line-out, which worked out perfectly as Koroibete went over in the corner for the first try.
Minutes later, flank Hooper stretched over after a break by fullback Andrea Kelleway. Gordon made no mistake with the conversions, 14-0.
The All Blacks had trouble gaining possession and territory, eventually, Will Jordan found a gap. However, some great scramble defence by Wallabies halted his efforts. All Blacks eventually got on the board courtesy of a Damian McKenzie penalty.
Wallabies were fully in control after the first quarter, they were creative on attack and asked loads of questions from the All Blacks.
Gordon extended the lead with a penalty before captain Tate McDermott was denied by Ardie Savea on the try line.
Just before the break, the hosts finally managed to get inside the Wallabies 22, but unfortunately for them butchered the line-out.
Trailing by 14 points, the All Blacks came out guns blazing. A powerful carry by Leicester Fainga’anuku set the platform for debutant Stevenson to score. McKenzie added the conversion to take All Blacks into double figures.
The wing Fainga’anuku proved to be a threat, he powered over the line but failed to ground the ball teh TMO spotted.
Richie Mo'unge managed to narrow the deficit with a penalty.
Australia had a chance to extend their lead, but Gordon hit the post with a straightforward penalty shot before New Zealand hit the front when the muscular Finau barged across in the 64th minute.
Replacement flyhalf Cooper kept his nerve with a 48m penalty to level the scores with seven minutes remaining before Mo'unga landed the winning goal.
The scorers:
For New Zealand:
Tries: Stevenson, Finau
Cons: McKenzie, Mo'unga
Pens: McKenzie, Mo'unga 2
For Australia:
Tries: Koroibete, Hooper
Cons: Gordon 2
Pens: Gordon, Cooper
Teams:
New Zealand: 15 Will Jordan, 14 Shaun Stevenson, 13 Braydon Ennor, 12 Anton Lienert-Brown, 11 Leicester Fainga’anuku, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Finlay Christie, 8 Ardie Savea, 7 Sam Cane (captain), 6 Samipeni Finau, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Nepo Laulala, 2 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 1 Tamaiti Williams.
Replacements: 16 Dane Coles, 17 Ofa Tuungafasi, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Tupou Vaa’i, 20 Luke Jacobson, 21 Aaron Smith, 22 Richie Mo’unga, 23 Dallas McLeod.
Australia: 15 Andrew Kellaway, 14 Mark Nawaqanitawase, 13 Jordan Petaia, 12 Samu Kerevi, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Carter Gordon, 9 Tate McDermott (captain), 8 Rob Valetini, 7 Tom Hooper, 6 Fraser McReight, 5 Richie Arnold, 4 Nick Frost, 3 Pone Fa’amausili, 2 David Porecki, 1 Angus Bell.
Replacements: 16 Jordan Uelese, 17 James Slipper, 18 Zane Nonggorr, 19 Will Skelton, 20 Rob Leota, 21 Nic White, 22 Quade Cooper, 23 Izaia Perese.
Referee: Karl Dickson (England)
Assistant referees: Wayne Barnes (England), Christophe Ridley (England)
TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)