New Zealand clawed back from a 14-point first-half deficit to overcome Australia in a thrilling Bledisloe Cup encounter in Dunedin on Saturday.
The Wallabies led 17-3 at half time thanks to converted tries from Marika Koroibete and Tom Hooper and a Carter Gordon penalty, but the All Blacks overturned the visitors’ advantage with second-half scores from debutants Shaun Stevenson and Samipeni Finau to claim a 23-20 victory at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
Veteran flyhalf Richie Mo’unga was instrumental in the win, with a well-struck penalty a minute before the final whistle, after Quade Cooper levelled matters from the kicking tee inside the closing stages of a tight contest.
It was a heartbreaking result but an encouraging performance from the Wallabies, who remain winless under Eddie Jones since he returned this year for his second stint in charge.
A vastly inexperienced team, led by new captain Tate McDermott, crossed for two tries in the first seven minutes and threatened to produce a first win over the All Blacks on New Zealand soil since 2001.
But a Kiwi side featuring 12 starting chances held their nerve to make it four wins from four this year and extend their unbeaten streak to 11 Tests.
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It was their patchiest performance of the year, with greater cohesion achieved in the second half when experienced halfbacks Mo’unga and Aaron Smith were introduced off the bench.
Flyhalf Damian McKenzie was guilty of wayward kicking and replaced early in the second half after being outplayed by inexperienced opposite number Gordon.
Gordon’s retention was staunchly defended by Jones in the leadup following a mixed performance in Melbourne, when New Zealand comfortably retained the Bledisloe Cup.
The visitors snatched early command and silenced a crowd of 28,265 with near-identical tries in the left corner.
The first went to Koroibete, before flanker Hooper barrelled over minutes later following a break from fullback Andrew Kellaway.
Australia had the better of the remainder of the first half, coming close to a third try when McDermott was held up over the tryline, but the only further points were a penalty each to Gordon and McKenzie.
The passes began to stick after half time and Stevenson crossed in the right corner before a Mo’unga penalty closed the gap further.
Gordon hit the post with a straightforward penalty shot before New Zealand hit the front when Finau barged across in the 64th minute.
Replacement Cooper kept his nerve with a 48m penalty to level the scores with seven minutes remaining before Mo’unga landed the winning goal.
© Agence France-Presse
Photo: Sanka Vidanagama/AFP