All Blacks Defeat Wallabies 33-13 in Bledisloe Cup Clash

The All Blacks concluded their 2024 Rugby Championship campaign with a commanding 33-13 victory over the Wallabies in Wellington. This victory marked New Zealand’s first win in Wellington since 2018, providing a boost for the All Blacks despite missing out on the championship title.

The match started on a high note for the Wallabies as Fraser McReight crossed the line early, but despite the promising start, the Australians failed to maintain their momentum. New Zealand’s response was swift, with winger Sevu Reece and fullback Will Jordan both scoring early tries. Caleb Clarke was a standout performer, scoring two tries that contributed significantly to New Zealand’s victory.

Wallabies captain Harry Wilson acknowledged his team’s efforts in the first half, where they led 13-12 at one stage thanks to two penalties from Noah Lolesio. “I thought our first 40 was really good,” Wilson said. “We showed up, we started fast but we struggled with possession in the second half.”

The All Blacks’ second-half prowess came to the fore as they dominated possession and territory, preventing the Wallabies from scoring. Tamaiti Williams also added to the All Blacks’ try tally after the break. Beauden Barrett, playing fly-half, orchestrated New Zealand’s attack effectively, while the defense, described as ‘gritty’ by All Blacks captain Scott Barrett, held the Wallabies scoreless in the latter half.

For New Zealand, this match served to reverse their recent misfortunes in Wellington and answered questions about the team under new head coach Scott Robertson. The win was celebrated with recognition for Sam Cane, who reached his 100th cap milestone, and TJ Perenara, who concluded his international career on home soil.

Despite the defeat, there were some positive signs for the Wallabies in the performance of individuals such as Dylan Pietsch, who made his starting debut and impressed with his effort. However, the broader issues of turnovers and missed tackles remain a concern for coach Joe Schmidt as his side prepares for their upcoming northern hemisphere tour, which includes matches against England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland.