So close, and yet so bitterly far.
The Wallabies’ long Bledisloe Cup drought, and their even longer losing streak at Eden Park, continues after a gallant performance ended in more disappointment at the hands of the All Blacks.
One old foe was hard enough to overcome, but two proved too big a job, with the All Blacks and referee Andrea Piardi combining to see off the Wallabies 33-24.
In a two-game series, the defeat means the All Blacks retain the Bledisloe Cup for a 23rd straight year, and equal the Kiwis’ record streak of wins (10) over Australia.
The All Blacks looked to have the game in control early with a 17-point lead, but the Wallabies fought back to trail by just 20-17 at halftime. With Piardi – the same referee who officiated the contentious second Lions Test – hammering the Wallabies in the second half, the Kiwis pushed ahead to lead 26-17 with 20 minutes left.
Len Ikitau of Australia charges forward Credit: Getty Images
But the Wallabies refused to give up, and a try from Carlo Tizzano in the 68th minute set up a thrilling finish and the raised the tantalising prospect of Australia snatching their first win at Eden Park since 1986.
A contentious decision by Piardi to send winger Harry Potter to the sin bin in the 73rd minute, however – for what appeared to be a legitimate pilfer – allowed the Kiwis to build pressure – and with an extra man, they scored a match-sealing try soon after.
It was a gut-wrenching defeat for the Wallabies, who pushed the jittery All Blacks and were in with a genuine chance of finally ending the Eden Park hoodoo.
But they let the All Blacks off the hook far too many times, and paid a price for too many simple mistakes, inconsistent execution at the breakdown and ill-discipline.
The Wallabies lost the penalty count 15-10, and while they had legitimate gripes about many of Piardi’s calls, the lessons of the loss to Argentina weren’t heeded.
Key players had scratchy nights, too, with fly-half James O’Connor kicking errantly for most of the game, raising the question of why the playmaker came to fly to England and back last week.
Billy Pollard of Australia charges forwardCredit: Getty Images
The loss came at a severe cost, too, with halfback Tate McDermott suffering an apparently serious muscle tear in his leg which looks likely to sideline him for a while.
Ryan Lonergan had a strong debut after coming on to replace him in the first half.
The Wallabies looked shot early when they fell 20-3 behind after 22 minutes, but a typically resilient fightback saw them rally and go into the halftime break trailing by just three points.
A few minutes after his old man, former All Black Eroni Clarke, sang the anthem, All Blacks winger Caleb Clarke got on the board early for the All Blacks with third-minute try.
It came after the Kiwis built pressure with a penalty in the Wallabies’ 22, and some too-generous defence offered by the Aussie outside backs.
The Wallabies clawed back a penalty goal in the sixth minute, but the Kiwis replied with a three-pointer soon after, then continued to build pressure via an aerial strategy aimed particularly at Potter’s edge.
Camped on Australia’s line, Leroy Carter eventually punched in for a second try off the edge of a ruck, perhaps with a hint of obstruction helping out.
A lack of urgency under the high ball, and O’Connor’s kicking yips, continued to let the Kiwis out of their half too easily.
The All Blacks extended their lead after the TMO reversed a Wallaby penalty to give the ball back to the Kiwis in the Wallabies’ 22. Stern line defence followed, but impressive Kiwi No.9 Cam Roigard eventually found a gap to sneak through and score.
The All Blacks lost key man Beauden Barrett soon after, though, and it coincided with the Wallabies finally building some pressure on the Kiwis.
After kicking to the corner from a penalty, the Wallabies drove a lineout close and Billy Pollard barged over for a try in the 29th minute.
Potter’s tendency to leave his wing and roam paid off in the 38th minute, too, when good phase play and quick ruck ball saw the Wallabies find space on the left edge, and ever-threatening centre Len Ikitau bounced out and laid on a try for Potter.
Harry Potter of Australia scores a tryCredit: Getty Images
The Wallabies brought on a new pair of props at halftime but didn’t capitalise on the pressure they put on New Zealand. After charging into the black 22, the visitors gave up three straight penalties and Damien MacKenzie knocked over a gift three-pointer in the 47th minute to take the score to 23-17.
With Piardi hammering the Wallabies, the Kiwis took another penalty in the 59th minute to push their lead out to 26-17.
Somehow, despite the one-armery of Piardi, the Wallabies stayed in the fight and when they began chancing their arm wide, the Kiwis buckled.
After a rushed kick into touch from Jordie Barrett on his own line, the Wallabies rolled in a try in the 68th minute to Tizzano to make the score 26-24 with 12 minutes left.