All Blacks stay on the high road

By BEN JAYCOCK

Australia ………..21pts

Tries: Williams 29, Wright 54, Daugunu 66 Conversions: Lonergan 30, 55; Meredith 67

New Zealand .. 43pts

Tries: Moorby 12, 43; B Barrett 17, 40; Lakai 21, Ioane 26, Sititi 32 Conversions: McKenzie 22, 33, 42, 44

BEAUDEN Barrett scored twice as New Zealand demolished Australia in Sydney to complete a Bledisloe Cup series sweep and extend their winning streak against the Wallabies to 13 Tests.

The All Blacks produced a devastating first-half display, running in six tries to establish a 36-7 interval advantage before resisting an improved Australian side after the break.

Victory at Accor Stadium ensured New Zealand retained the Bledisloe Cup for a 24th consecutive year, completing a two-match sweep following their 50-19 triumph in Auckland the previous weekend.

Lakai quickly added his name to the scoresheet as the All Blacks continued to overwhelm their opponents with their pace and precision.

Replacement Rieko Ioane extended the advantage further in the 25th minute, crossing to make it 22-0 as Australia struggled to contain the visitors’ attacking threat.

The Wallabies finally responded shortly before the half-hour mark when fly-half Declan Meredith released a pass under pressure to send Jeremy Williams over for their opening try.

However, Williams was subsequently shown a yellow card for an infringement, allowing New Zealand to regain control against 14 men.

The All Blacks elected to take a scrum and Wallace Sititi capitalised, picking up from the base to power over for their fifth try.

Barrett then delivered another crushing blow before the interval, intercepting an Australian pass and racing clear to complete his double and establish a commanding 36-7 lead.

New Zealand maintained their momentum after the restart, with Moorby crossing for his second try just three minutes into the half to stretch the advantage to 43-7.

Australia improved as their replacements entered the contest, with Max Jorgensen making a powerful break before Tom Wright finished an impressive attacking move.

Meredith also threatened to score after bursting through midfield, but Cam Roigard recovered to prevent the flyhalf from reaching the line.

Replacement Filipo Daugunu grabbed Australia’s third try in the 66th minute following good work from Wright and Meredith, reducing the deficit to 43-21.

The visitors then faced a difficult finish when replacement hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho departed injured after all their substitutes had been used.

Debutant Chay Fihaki was subsequently sin-binned, leaving New Zealand with just 13 players for the closing stages.

Nevertheless, the All Blacks defended resolutely despite their numerical disadvantage, preventing Australia from adding to their tally and completing another emphatic Bledisloe Cup triumph.