Qantas Wallabies fall to New Zealand in Yokohama, Japan

Mon, Oct 29, 2018, 4:06 AM
Rugby Australia
by Rugby Australia
Bledisloe Cup Japan. Photo: Rugby AU Media
Bledisloe Cup Japan. Photo: Rugby AU Media

Mitsubishi Estate Bledisloe Cup

New Zealand v Qantas Wallabies

Nissan Stadium, Yokohama

Saturday 27 October 2018

Australia 20 (Sefa Naivalu, Israel Folau tries; Bernard Foley 2 cons; Kurtley Beale, Bernard Foley pens) New Zealand 37 (Liam Squire, Kieran Read, Beauden Barrett, Ben Smith, Rieko Ioane tries; Beauden Barrett 3 cons; Beauden Barrett 2 pens)

Match summary:

The Qantas Wallabies have fallen to New Zealand 20-37 in the third and final Bledisloe Cup Test of 2018, in an action-packed game at Nissan Stadium in Yokohama, Japan.

The Wallabies trailed by just seven points at the main break but a second half clinic from the world’s number one side helped push the margin out by full-time.

Australia started brightly in Yokohama as Israel Folau scythed through to put the Wallabies on the attack but New Zealand soon clicked into gear as they dominated possession and territory throughout the half.

It eventually wore Australia down as Liam Squire found himself in space to open the score for New Zealand.

Kurtley Beale nailed a long penalty goal to narrow the margin but it didn’t last long as Beauden Barrett kicked one of his own before Kieran Read barged over from a scrum on Australia’s line to make the score 3-17 nearing half-time.

A brilliant piece of play off the ensuing kick-off earned Australia possession though and they were quick to strike as Sefa Naivalu scored in the corner to pull the Wallabies back into the contest at the main break.

The Wallabies took the game to New Zealand early in the second half and a Bernard Foley penalty goal after a period of sustained pressure brought the margin back to just four points with 30 minutes left to play.

A slick backline move from New Zealand gave them some breathing space with just over 20 minutes remaining, as Barrett switched the point of attack only to receive the ball back from teammate Rieko Ioane to sprint down the left wing for his five-pointer.

A yellow card to replacement hooker Tolu Latu made Australia’s task a difficult one and New Zealand were quick to capitalise thanks to an intercept try for winger Ben Smith.

With the margin pushing out to 20 points, Australia launched a series of attacks on New Zealand’s line and Israel Folau stepped his way through the broken defence to score under the posts with five minutes to go.

It wasn’t to be for the Wallabies though, as Rieko Ioane caught them on the counter-attack to seal a 17-point win for the defending World Cup champions.

As it happened:

11 mins: Liam Squire try; Beauden Barrett con AUS 0-7 NZ

20 mins: Kurtley Beale pen AUS 3-7 NZ

24 mins: Beauden Barrett pen AUS 3-10 NZ

35 mins: Kieran Read try; Beauden Barrett con AUS 3-17 NZ

38 mins: Sefa Naivalu try; Bernard Foley con AUS 10-17 NZ

47 mins: Bernard Foley pen AUS 13-17 NZ

52 mins: Beauden Barrett pen AUS 13-20 NZ

58 mins: Beauden Barrett try; Beauden Barrett con AUS 13-27 NZ

66 mins: Tolu Latu yellow card

69 mins: Ben Smith try AUS 13-32 NZ

75 mins: Israel Folau try AUS 20-32 NZ

77 mins: Rieko Ioane try AUS 20-37 NZ

Qantas Wallabies

15. Dane Haylett-Petty (23. Tom Banks, 71 mins) 14. Sefa Naivalu (22. Samu Kerevi, 57 mins) 13. Israel Folau 12. Kurtley Beale 11. Marika Koroibete 10. Bernard Foley 9. Will Genia (21. Nick Phipps, 70 mins) 8. David Pocock 7. Michael Hooper © 6. Ned Hanigan (20. Jack Dempsey, 51 mins) 5. Rob Simmons (19. Rory Arnold, 65 mins) 4. Izack Rodda 3. Allan Alaalatoa (18. Taniela Tupou, 53 mins) 2. Folau Faingaa (16. Tolu Latu, 53 mins) 1. Scott Sio (17. Sekope Kepu, 53 mins) *replacements in brackets

New Zealand

15. Damian McKenzie 14. Ben Smith 13. Ryan Crotty 12. Sonny Bill Williams 11. Rieko Iaone 10. Beauden Barrett 9. TJ Perenara 8. Kieran Read © 7. Ardie Savea 6. Liam Squire 5. Scott Barrett 4. Sam Whitelock 3. Owen Franks 2. Codie Taylor 1. Joe Moody Reserves: 16. Nathan Harris 17. Karl Tu’inukuafe 18. Nepo Laulala 19. Brodie Retallick 20. Matt Todd 21. Aaron Smith 22. Richie Mo’unga 23. Anton Lienert-Brown Match Notes: Second Bledisloe Cup Test played in Japan (first in 2009, Tokyo) Sekope Kepu – 100th Test (first Australia prop to 100 Tests, ninth Australia player overall to 100 Tests)

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