The Wallabies and All Blacks rivalry is officially at its most one-sided after the men in gold slumped to a record 11th consecutive defeat to their trans-Tasman rivals in a bruising second Bledisloe Test in Perth.
Hopes of a fairytale farewell for James Slipper were dashed as the Wallabies fell 28-14 in front of 60,113 supporters in their final home game of the year.
Australia’s bid to secure a vital top-six world ranking before December’s World Cup draw remains in limbo.
Australia’s James Slipper waves as he leaves the field.Credit: AP
Yellow cards to Tom Hooper (12th minute) and Len Ikitau (45th minute) left the Wallabies a man down for a quarter of the match as the All Blacks ran in four tries to one, including a double from Quinn Tupaea.
Australia’s slim Rugby Championship hopes are over after playing without Will Skelton for 65 minutes due to a concussion. The towering second-rower’s early exit compounded a night of frustration for Joe Schmidt’s side, who have now lost their past three Tests.
South Africa need to beat Argentina later tonight to take out the Rugby Championship.
Between 1967 and 1978, the Wallabies endured 11 matches without a victory against New Zealand (10 losses and a draw), but are now 0-11 against the All Blacks since 2020.
Trailing 20-9 with 14 minutes remaining, Ikitau burrowed over from close range to give the Wallabies a glimmer of hope before Damian McKenzie’s long-range penalty extended New Zealand’s lead back to nine points. A late try to George Bower rubbed salt in the wound for the Wallabies.
New Zealand’s Quinn Tupaea reacts after scoring one of his two tries. Credit: AP
A dreadful Australian lineout performance in slippery conditions – the Wallabies gave away three of their first five throws – cruelled any momentum or field position they managed to build.
Tane Edmed began decisively and looked composed after his debut start against Argentina last month, which the Wallabies maintain was better than critics suggested.
But a knock-on late in the first half appeared to dent his confidence, and James O’Connor was called on with eight minutes to play but the game all but done.
Skelton’s return was a welcome one for the Wallabies but his late shove of All Blacks halfback Cam Roigard, which saw referee Matthew Carley reverse a penalty in the second minute, was the exact thing Schmidt has been desperate to eradicate from his ill-disciplined side in recent weeks.
The penalty count was level at 14-14.
Skelton has taken it upon himself to ruffle the feathers of Australia’s opponents – he did it with aplomb against the Lions – but on this occasion he got a little excited and paid the price.
However, it was a long journey back from France for Skelton to play just 15 minutes as he failed a head injury assessment. The return business class flight wasn’t a great return on investment for Rugby Australia.
Slipper came within a whisker of a try in his farewell Test before Allan Alaalatoa dotted the ball down in the 13th minute but it was pulled back due to an illegal cleanout from Hooper on New Zealand centre Jordie Barrett.
The All Blacks managed a try through Leroy Carter but three penalties to Edmed kept the Wallabies in front before two late five-pointers to Tupaea gave the visitors a 17-9 half-time lead.
New Zealand missed three of four kicks in the first half, leaving seven points out on the field.
Ikitau didn’t get low enough in defence and paid the price for a head clash.
It was grind for the forwards as rain tumbled down at Optus Stadium but the Wallabies lacked the same spark that handed them wins over the Lions and South Africa.