NEW ZEALAND scored four tries in the first 20 minutes and held off an Australian fightback with 13 men late on to beat the Wallabies 31-28 in a Rugby Championship test at Stadium Australia yesterday.
The All Blacks were held to one penalty in the second half and lost two players to yellow cards, but their early lead proved enough to earn an eighth straight win over their neighbours and ensure they would retain the Bledisloe Cup for another year.
The Wallabies will take heart from their second-half fightback, especially after the 67-27 loss to Argentina two weeks ago. But they were unable to turn pressure into points sufficiently to make up for their error-prone first quarter.
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A 21st Rugby Championship title is beyond the All Blacks after a home loss to Argentina and two away to South Africa, but they will look to finish the tournament with a 3-3 record when they face the Wallabies again in Wellington this week. — Reuters
