Next generation of All Blacks looks special – Sam Cane

By Ben Jaycock

New Zealand ………………. 33pts

Tries: Reece 16, Jordan 22, Clarke 41, 64; Williams 55

Conversions: Barrett 23, 42, 56, 66

Australia ………………………. 13pts

Try: McReight 8

Conversion: Lolesio 9

Penalties: Lolesio 19, 37

New Zealand secured back-to-back triumphs over arch-rivals Australia to conclude an underwhelming Rugby Championship for new coach Scott Robertson before they embark on their European tour.

The World Cup runners-up had been without a win in Wellington since 2018 and, while victory was comfortable if not entirely convincing, they will rue their shortcomings in the early stages of the tournament which left them out of title contention on the final day.

Nevertheless, New Zealand overcame a fast Wallaby start to record a five-try victory on a special day for a few All Blacks legends.

Former skipper Sam Cane became just the 13th All Black to bring up a century of caps, while long-time Hurricanes half-backs TJ Perenara and Beauden Barrett lined up together for the final time in Wellington before Perenara heads off to play club rugby in Japan.

Tries from Sevu Reece, Will Jordan, Tamaiti Williams and a double from Caleb Clarke, with Beauden Barrett chipping in with eight points off the tee, marked a ninth straight victory over the Wallabies.

Centurion Cane

Centurion Cane said: “I feel lucky to have this moment in front of these special fans, this is the best I’ve ever seen Wellington.

“The next generation of loose forwards coming through are special athletes, they are better athletes than ever before.”

The All Blacks failed to score any points in the final 20 minutes in each of their previous games in the competition and captain Scott Barrett was delighted to end that run.

He said: “I’m pleased to reverse the curse, we didn’t start too well but I was really pleased with how we finished by holding out the Aussies.

“We’ve been talking about the last 20 in the last three weeks, owning our effort and it was pleasing to not let them in.

“Both TJ and Sam have given a lot to the jersey, every time they come out here they put their body on the line and I’m hugely proud of them.”

First Half

The Wallabies would have been fearing the worst when star prop Taniela Tupou was nursing an early leg injury inside the first minute.

However, the man nicknamed as ‘Tongan Thor’ brushed aside any thoughts of an early casualty, performing an early jackal to allow Noah Lolesio to stretch Australia’s lead to 10-5 after the first quarter.

Australia had got themselves on the front foot taking an early lead through Fraser McReight’s try which Lolesio converted from out wide.

The Brumbies fly-half shortly after hit back-to-back penalties to put the Wallbies in the driving seat.

New Zealand hit back as the excellent Wallace Sititi fended off attempted tacklers to feed Anton Lienert-Brown, whose pinpoint pass allowed Reece to race down the wing and do his thing.

After a shaky opening, the All Blacks regained their mojo as the always potent full back Jordan saw space where there had seemed to be none, sneaking his way through to increase his tally to 37 tries in as many Tests.

New Zealand had made 71 tackles in comparison to Australia’s 27 in the opening half hour such was the visitors’ dominance of the first period.

Second Half

Blues flyer Clarke is renowned for coming off his wing and finding the ball to bulldoze through midfield, and his brace of tries either side of half-time wrestled back momentum for the hosts.

Sandwiched between those Clarke scores was Crusaders prop Williams going over from close-range as the All Blacks held the Wallabies scoreless in the second half.

Australia No.8 Harry Wilson said: “I’m gutted because it’s not the result we wanted. We showed up, started fast in the opening 40 but couldn’t replicate that in the second.

“We had a lot of possession but couldn’t break down New Zealand’s defence. We haven’t completed an 80-minute performance in the tournament, so that’s a focus as we go on tour in November.”

Wallaby boss Joe Scmidt said: “We created a few things early on but we were digging ball out from amongst bodies on our side. It was really frustrating, it broke our rhythm.

“We carried strongly, got the try and then missed a couple of chances.”