Recap: All Blacks crush Wallabies again thanks to first-half blitz

The All Blacks kept their unbeaten run at Eden Park alive and retained the Bledisloe Cup with a dominant victory over Australia, but will look to
keep that form going as both teams meet in Sydney.

Despite being unable to win the Bledisloe Cup for the 24th straight season, the Wallabies can feel positive about facing an All Blacks side weakened by injuries.

Asafo Aumua, Anton Segner, Ethan Blackadder and Leroy Carter were all injured at Eden Park, with replacements being called in to shore up the squad with an already long list of absences.

Richie Mo’unga and Fehi Fineanganofo were ruled out in the run-up to last week’s test, while Ruben Love is having ankle surgery which keeps him out for the rest of the year.

Josh Moorby has been brought in to replace Leroy Carter, while Fabian Holland takes Josh Lord’s place and George Bower plays in place of Ethan de Groot.

Cortez Ratima, Samisoni Taukei’aho and Du’Plessis Kirifi are all expected to feature in Sydney off the bench.

Meanwhile, the Wallabies will be without midfielder Len Ikitau, who suffered a concussion at Eden Park, and outside back Jordan Petaia, who has an ankle injury.

The All Blacks have won their past 12 tests against Australia.

The All Blacks retained the Bledisloe Cup in Auckland. Photo / Alyse Wright

All Blacks v Wallabies history

Played – 182

All Blacks won – 129

Wallabies won – 45

Draws – 8

All Blacks points scored – 4101

Wallabies points scored – 2661

All Blacks v Wallabies past five meetings

2026 – All Blacks 50-19, Auckland

2025 – All Blacks 28-14, Perth

2025 – All Blacks 33-24, Auckland

2024 – All Blacks 33-13, Wellington

2024 – All Blacks 31-28, Sydney

All Blacks v Wallabies line-ups

All Blacks: 1. George Bower, 2. Codie Taylor (c), 3. Fletcher Newell, 4. Scott Barrett, 5. Fabian Holland, 6. Tupou Vaa’i, 7. Peter Lakai, 8. Wallace Sititi, 9. Cam Roigard, 10. Damian McKenzie, 11. Josh Moorby, 12. Timoci Tavatavanawai, 13. Quinn Tupaea, 14. Will Jordan, 15. Beauden Barrett

Reserves: 16. Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17. Xavier Numia, 18. Pasilio Tosi, 19. Shannon Frizell, 20. Du’Plessis Kirifi, 21. Cortez Ratima, 22. Chay Fihaki, 23. Rieko Ioane

Wallabies: 1. Aidan Ross, 2. Josh Nasser, 3. Allan Alaalatoa, 4. Jeremy Williams, 5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 6. Rob Valetini, 7. Fraser McReight, 8. Harry Wilson (c), 9. Ryan Lonergan, 10. Declan Meredith, 11. Harry Potter, 12. Isaac Henry, 13. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 14. Max Jorgensen, 15. Tom Wright

Reserves: 16. Billy Pollard, 17. Angus Bell, 18. Massimo De Lutiis, 19. Josh Canham, 20. Carlo Tizzano, 21. Kalani Thomas, 22. Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, 23. Filipo Daugunu

Form guide (past five tests)

All Blacks:

Beat Australia 50-19

Lost to South Africa 43-28

Lost to South Africa 29-24

Lost to South Africa 33-26

Beat South Africa 33-16

Wallabies

Lost to New Zealand 50-19

Beat South Africa 42-38

Drew with Argentina 28-28

Beat Argentina 27-21

Beat Japan 56-17

Luke Pearce last took charge of an All Blacks fixture in July when they beat France in Christchurch. Photo / Photosport

All Blacks v Wallabies referee

England’s Luke Pearce has been promoted from his duties as assistant referee last week and takes centre stage for the Bledisloe test in Sydney. He might be a good luck charm for All Blacks coach Dave Rennie, having taken charge of his first game in the job against France, which the All Blacks won 34-32. His two sideline assistants are Ireland’s Andrew Brace and Damian Schneider of Argentina, while South Africa’s Marius van der Westhuizen is the television match official (TMO) and Mike Adamson of Scotland is the split-screen official.

All Blacks v Wallabies TAB odds

All Blacks $1.33, Wallabies $3.20

All Blacks 1-12 $3.00

All Blacks 13+ $2.25

Draw $21

Wallabies 1-12 $4.50

Wallabies +13 $8.50

All Blacks v Wallabies – how to follow the action

For live commentary of the All Blacks’ test match against the Springboks, join Elliott Smith on Newstalk ZB and iHeartRadio.

The Alternative Commentary Collective will also be commentating on their iHeartRadio stream.

You can watch the game on Sky Sport 1 and it will be livestreaming on Sky Sport Now.

You can also find live updates at nzherald.co.nz.

Listen to Elliott Smith’s live commentary on Newstalk ZB Sport and iHeartRadio, or join the Alternative Commentary Collective on iHeartRadio and Radio Hauraki.