Fifty-point All Blacks overwhelm Australia to retain Bledisloe Cup

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All Blacks scrum-half Cam Roigard crosses for New Zealand’s fourth try - AP/Brett Phibbs

Les Kiss suffered his first defeat as Australia head coach as the Wallabies succumbed to a dominant physical second half from the All Blacks, who scored 26 unanswered points after half-time to retain the Bledisloe Cup.

Australia were well in the contest in the first half, scoring excellent tries through Tom Wright and Harry Wilson, only trailing by three points at the break.

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But with the outstanding Cam Roigard pulling the strings at scrum-half, New Zealand overwhelmed Australia with their physical intensity in the carry and the breakdown. They also dominated the aerial contest.

It means the Bledisloe Cup has now been in New Zealand’s possession since 2002, while Australia have now lost 12 straight games to their great rivals.

Codie Taylor lifts the Bledisloe Cup aloft - AFP/Michael Bradley

The honeymoon period under Kiss, highlighted by a defeat of world champions South Africa in Perth, now appears over with Australia seemingly having no answers to the All Blacks’ physical dominance.

Yet there was also plenty of skill on show in Dave Rennie’s side. Damian McKenzie enjoyed one of his best games in an All Blacks No 10 shirt and it was his broken-field runs which created first-half tries for flankers Peter Lakai and Tupou Vaa’i. McKenzie’s penalty proved the difference between the sides at the break.

Tupou Vaa’i barges over from close range - AP/Joshua Devenie

But then came the second half where Australia were simply blown out of the water.

A Roigard snipe pulled New Zealand clear on 48 minutes before Codie Taylor powered over from close range. More Roigard magic engineered a try for winger Leroy Carter who was injured in the process but replacement Josh Moorby bagged their sixth try with eight minutes remaining.

Australia replacement Josh Nasser got a consolation score for Australia but the last word went to the All Blacks with Will Jordan beating Max Jorgensen in a foot race.

Full report to follow

Match details

Scoring sequence 0-5 Wright try, 0-7 Lonergan con, 5-7 Lakai try, 7-7 McKenzie con, 12-7 Vaa’i try, 14-7 McKenzie con, 17-7 McKenzie pen, 17-12 Wilson try, 17-14 Lonergan con, 22-14 Roigard try, 24-14 McKenzie con, 29-14 Taylor try, 31-14 McKenzie con, 36-14 Carter try, 38-14 McKenzie con, 43-14 Moorby try, 43-19 Nasser try, 48-19 Jordan try, 50-19 McKenzie con.

New Zealand B Barrett; W Jordan, Q Tupaea, J Barrett (R Ioane 70), L Carter (J Moorby 68); D McKenzie, C Roigard (K Preston 70); E de Groot (Bower 49), C Taylor (capt, A Aumua 56), F Newell (P Tosi 59), J Lord (S Frizell 59), T Vaa’i, P Lakai, W Sititi (A Segner 53).

Australia T Wright; M Jorgensen, I Henry, L Ikitau (H Potter 30), J-A Sua’ali’i; B Donaldson (D Meredith 68), R Lonergan (T McDermott 63); A Bell (A Ross 58), B Paenga-Amosa (J Nasser 47), A Alaalatoa (M de Lutiis 52), J Williams (L Shaw 59), R Valentini (N Champion de Crespigny 72), F McReight, H Wilson (capt).

Referee Andrew Brace (Ireland).

09:18am

All Blacks lift the Bledisloe Cup

09:01am

FT: New Zealand 50 Australia 19

New Zealand protect their extraordinary record at Eden Park with a dominant victory over Australia thanks to an inspired second-half performance. In total, the All Blacks outscored their opponents with seven tries to three. The hosts win the 2026 Bledisloe Cup.

08:58am

TRY! Jordan gets in on the action very late on

Meredith’s loose pass from inside Australia’s 22 is pounced upon Jordan, who kicks the ball towards the try line. He’s in a foot-race with Jorgensen, and the New Zealand star beats the Australian winger to the line to bag the All Blacks’ seventh try. McKenzie caps off an incredible display with the conversion, and that will be that at Eden Park.

08:53am

TRY! Australia find a consolation

It’s too little too late, but the Wallabies find a try to slightly reduce the deficit. Australia give New Zealand a taste of their own medicine, overpowering the All Blacks in the maul following the lineout. Nasser emerges from within the crowd holding the ball and gets over the line to score the try. Meredith converts thanks to a swerving kick.

08:49am

TRY! All Blacks are running away with this

New Zealand dominate the lineout maul and Preston’s handling is executed to perfection as he passes to Moorby, who scores from close range. For the first time in this Test, McKenzie fails to add the extras. It won’t matter, this match is done and dusted.

08:47am

72 min: New Zealand 38 Australia 14

New Zealand win another penalty as Sua’ali’i commits a needless no-hands tackle on B Barrett. The All Blacks kick for the five-metre lineout and keep possession. The balls is recycled to the other side of the pitch as the All Blacks completely overpower the Wallabies at the ruck just metres away from the try line, allowing Tosi to score. However, the TMO rules there was a knock-on from Preston at the breakdown and the try is ruled out.

08:39am

TRY! Carters bags a magnificent try for the All Blacks

Scintillating rugby from New Zealand. McKenzie and Tupaea are both involved as quick exchanges allow the All Blacks to advance well into Australia’s 22. Roigard swiftly reacts to a maul and his incredible reverse pass releases Lakai, who offloads to the supporting Carter. Despite Valetini’s best efforts to haul him down, Carter gets over the line to score. However, those points have come at a cost for the winger as he twists his ankle in the process. Unsurprisingly, the irrepressible McKenzie adds the extra. Unfortunately for Carter, because of that injury, he limps off with the help of the medical staff.

Carter screams in pain as he emerges from Valetini’s tackle to score a try before he is substituted through injury - Brett Phibbs/AP08:37am

65 min: New Zealand 31 Australia 14

Another huge New Zealand kick forces Australia way back into their own 22. To follow this up, the All Blacks always providing immediate pressure on the catchers. This time, Jorgensen is swarmed by New Zealand’s front row.

08:32am

61 min: New Zealand 31 Australia 14

J Barrett’s tackling has been extraordinary. His perfectly-timed defending has allowed New Zealand to gain much-needed territory and win penalties at crucial points on multiple occasions. McKenzie deserves a mention as well. He’s put in a flawless performance and has pulled the strings throughout this Test.

08:28am

59 min: New Zealand 31 Australia 14

There is some serious daylight between these two heavyweights now. Frizell immediately enters the action, replacing Lord, and joins the scrum. Newell is also withdrawn for Tosi. Australia respond with two changes of their own as Shaw and Ross come on for Bell and Williams.

08:25am

TRY! Taylor scores for the All Blacks

Wave after wave New Zealand pressure after countless phases of play end with captain Taylor scoring the try. He passionately celebrates, before McKenzie bags the conversion. That is Taylor’s last action of the Test as he’s replaced by Aumua.

08:23am

53 min: New Zealand 24 Australia 14

Changes for both nations. Two recent New Zealand switches see de Groot and Sititi depart for Bower and Segner. Meanwhile, the Wallabies take off Alaalatoa for de Lutiis. 

08:21am

TRY! Roigard extends New Zealand’s advantage

The All Blacks keep the pressure up on the Wallabies as Taylor advances to within metres of the try line. With a numerical advantage in support and Australia, Roigard takes the clever decision to make a short dash for the try and scores. McKenzie adds the extras from a tight angle. It’s been a flawless performance from New Zealand’s makeshift fly-half.

Roigard celebrates after sneaking over the line for New Zealand - Brett Phibbs/AP08:18am

49 min: New Zealand 17 Australia 14

Incredible defending from Lonergan! Mesmerising handling from the likes of Roigard and McKenzie unleash Jordan, who dashes within metres of the try line. He has Carter in support, but his pass is intercepted by Lonergan, who prevents an almost certain try.

08:15am

47 min: New Zealand 17 Australia 14

J Barrett helps New Zealand win a much-needed penalty as he tackles Donaldson after the Australia scrum-half catches a kick. The All Blacks flood the breakdown and Donaldson can’t release. The Wallabies then make a change in their front row as Nasser replaces Paenga-Amosa.

08:13am

45 min: New Zealand 17 Australia 14

Donaldson tries to find Jorgensen with a cross-field kick, but the winger is challenged by B Barrett, who defends excellently, collects the ball and directs the ball down the channel to push Australia back into their own territory. Australia respond tremendously as Valetini makes a sensational break. The Wallabies motor to within a few metres of New Zealand’s try line, but once again, B Barrett comes across to collect another searching kick to relieve the pressure on his side. Australia fail to win the lineout and the All Blacks survive.

08:08am

41 min: New Zealand 17 Australia 14

We are back under way for the second half. Ikitau failed his HIA assessment so Potter is on as a permanent replacement. 

07:53am

HT: New Zealand 17 Australia 14

It’s half-time at Eden Park, with New Zealand holding a slender three-point advantage over Australia in this opening Bledisloe Cup Test. The visitors made a fast start, but the All Blacks responded brilliantly, scoring two tries in quick succession.

07:50am

TRY! Australia slice through New Zealand and Wilson scores

It’s a phenomenal one-two between Wilson and Donaldson, with the captain carrying the ball before slipping a pass through to the fly-half. Donaldson spots the gap and darts through New Zealand’s defence. Wilson is there in support to receive the off-load, before he gets under the posts for an uncontested try. On this occasion, Lonergan’s kick is successful and we’re back to a three-point game.

07:46am

34 min: New Zealand 17 Australia 7

The All Blacks quickly recycle the ball with intent and swiftly return to Australia’s 22. New Zealand win a penalty, giving McKenzie a relatively easy kick. From comfortable range, the New Zealand fly-half bags the three, extending the hosts’ advantage to 10 points. That was a sensible decision from captain Taylor to opt for the kicked penalty between the posts.

07:43am

31 min: New Zealand 14 Australia 7

Australia win the scrum inside their own 22 and Lonergan sends the ball into touch to relieve the pressure on his side.

07:40am

29 min: New Zealand 14 Australia 7

New Zealand have a penalty advantage after the Wallabies are cautioned for not rolling away. Australia defend well at the breakdown, but play is pulled back for that aforementioned earlier penalty. The All Blacks kick for the corner and have a line-out at the five-metre line. Ikitau needs a HIA assessment and is replaced by Potter.

07:36am

25 min: New Zealand 14 Australia 7

That’s very unusual from Lonergan. The Australian scrum-half has a very kickable penalty from a central position around the 10-metre line. However, Lonergan uncharacteristically skews his kick and it swerves wide of the left post. 

07:34am

23 min: New Zealand 14 Australia 7

It’s a pulsating, end-to-end encounter at Eden Park. New Zealand are playing incredibly fast, aggressive rugby, but Australia are still very much in this Test. 

07:32am

20 min: New Zealand 14 Australia 7

Electric play from Jordan! The All Blacks winger makes an impressive break through Australia’s front row and charges unto the visitors’ 22. Instead of going for the try himself, he tries to find Carter with a very ambitious cross-field pass, but it bounces just in front of the supporting winger and trickles out of play. Australia got away with one there.

07:29am

TRY! New Zealand bag a quickfire second

Once again, McKenzie leads the attack by finding a gap in Australia’s defensive line with his piercing pace, allowing Sititi to make a searing break. After a couple of phases of play just metres out from the try line, Vaai is thereto eventually get over the line and score. McKenzie adds the extras and New Zealand are ahead for the first time in Auckland today.

07:25am

TRY! New Zealand immediately respond through Lakai

J Barrett does brilliantly to claim Roigard’s kick from high in the sky to move New Zealand up to Australia’s 22. The ball is then worked to McKenzie, who darts inside of Australia’s defensive line, before assisting Lakai, who, despite being sandwiched between two tacklers, scores the try. McKenzie bags the conversion and we are back level at Eden Park.

07:20am

TRY! Wright scores a sensational early try for the Wallabies

What a blistering start for the Wallabies! The visitors quickly manoeuvre the ball out wide thanks to Donaldson’s quick tip-on, which unleashes Jorgensen. The winger finds Wright, who expertly exploits a gap in New Zealand’s back row thanks to an immense dummy, before dashing for a try from well outside the All Blacks’ 22. Lonergan adds the extras and Australia jump into a deserved seven-point lead.

07:17am

6 min: New Zealand 0 Australia 0

A second Australia lineout follows as Taylor commits an offside offence. Once again, Donaldson kicks the ball into touch for a five-metre lineout, which the Wallabies subsequently win. Both Lonergan and Salakaia-Loto make desperate sprints for the try line, but the All Blacks’ defiant defence hold strong and they survive.

07:14am

3 min: New Zealand 0 Australia 0

Australia enjoy the first sustained period of pressure as Donaldson’s cross-field kick finds Henry. The centre is put into touch by J Barrett’s strong tackle. An earlier penalty means Australia stay on the attack. Donaldson kicks the ball out for a lineout from the five-metre line.

07:10am

Kick-off

We are under way at Eden Park. New Zealand and Australia have collided 181 times in all competitions, with the All Blacks claiming 128 wins to the Wallabies’ 45, but who will emerge with the Bledisloe Cup today?

07:09am

Haka time

The haka never fails to disappoint. Eden Park cheers on in excitement and anticipation. Kick-off of this Bledisloe Cup Test in Auckland is just moments away.

07:03am

Both sides are out on the pitch

Australia head out first and are followed by New Zealand. The national anthems are just about to commence. 

07:00am

Reminder of the two teams

New Zealand: 15 Beauden Barrett, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Quinn Tupaea, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Leroy Carter, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Cam Roigard; 1 Ethan de Groot, 2 Codie Taylor (c), 3 Fletcher Newell, 4 Scott Barrett, 5 Josh Lord, 6 Tupou Vaa’i, 7 Peter Lakai, 8 Wallace Sititi.

Replacements: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 George Bower, 18 Pasilio Tosi, 19 Shannon Frizell, 20 Anton Segner, 21 Kyle Preston, 22 Rieko Ioane, 23 Josh Moorby.

Australia: 15 Tom Wright, 14 Max Jorgensen, 13 Isaac Henry, 12 Len Ikitau, 11 Joseph Aukuso Sua’ali’i, 10 Ben Donaldson, 9 Ryan Lonergan; 1 Angus Bell, 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 4 Jeremy Williams, 5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 6 Rob Valetini, 7 Fraser McReight, 8 Harry Wilson (c).

Replacements: 16 Josh Nasser, 17 Aidan Ross, 18 Massimo De Lutiis, 19 Lachlan Shaw, 20 Nick Champion de Crespigny, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Declan Meredith, 23 Harry Potter.

06:59am

Pre-Test handshake

Respectful and cordial scenes between the two coaches ahead of this upcoming Bledisloe Cup Test - Photosport/Andrew Cornaga06:51am

Nice catch-up between old friends

06:49am

Harry Wilson’s preview

06:47am

Les Kiss also has his say

06:43am

More Dave Rennie quotes

“The Bledisloe Cup means a huge amount to this group. There’s a lot of history and pride tied up in it, and every Test against the Wallabies carries real weight for us.

“We have huge respect for this Australian side and the way they have been playing. We know we’ll need to be at our best.

“We’ve been on the road for the last eight games, so the boys are rapt to be home and really looking forward to running out at Eden Park one last time this year.”

06:42am

Dave Rennie’s pre-Test thoughts

The New Zealand head coach said: “No one wants to be part of the first team for a long time to lose at Eden Park, or lose the Bledisloe.

“We’ve come out of South Africa. We’ve got a bit of a point to prove there and we’re up against really worthy opponents, and we know we’re going to have to be at our best.”

Having previously managed Australia between 2020 and 2023, before he was sacked and replaced by Eddie Jones, Rennie insisted he’s fully focused ahead of the reunion with his former employers. 

“It’s not about me,” he continued. “I’ve got no regrets. I got to work with some really good people, people I have a lot of time for, and it’s a part of a game that we’re involved in.”

Dave Rennie comes up against his former side in this heavyweight clash - The New Zealand Herald/New Zealand Media and Entertainment06:36am

Both teams in full

New Zealand: 15 Beauden Barrett, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Quinn Tupaea, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Leroy Carter, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Cam Roigard; 1 Ethan de Groot, 2 Codie Taylor (c), 3 Fletcher Newell, 4 Scott Barrett, 5 Josh Lord, 6 Tupou Vaa’i, 7 Peter Lakai, 8 Wallace Sititi.

Replacements: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 George Bower, 18 Pasilio Tosi, 19 Shannon Frizell, 20 Anton Segner, 21 Kyle Preston, 22 Rieko Ioane, 23 Josh Moorby.

Australia: 15 Tom Wright, 14 Max Jorgensen, 13 Isaac Henry, 12 Len Ikitau, 11 Joseph Aukuso Sua’ali’i, 10 Ben Donaldson, 9 Ryan Lonergan; 1 Angus Bell, 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 4 Jeremy Williams, 5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 6 Rob Valetini, 7 Fraser McReight, 8 Harry Wilson (c).

Replacements: 16 Josh Nasser, 17 Aidan Ross, 18 Massimo De Lutiis, 19 Lachlan Shaw, 20 Nick Champion de Crespigny, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Declan Meredith, 23 Harry Potter.

06:33am

Australia team

06:32am

New Zealand team

06:30am

Bledisloe Cup makes an emphatic return

Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of this Bledisloe Cup Test as New Zealand host Australia at Eden Park in Auckland.

The All Blacks are enduring one of the toughest periods in their history, having suffered three successive Test defeats against South Africa in August and September, which saw the Springboks claim the inaugural Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series tour. Dave Rennie’s men are under immense pressure to avoid a fourth consecutive Test defeat for the first time since 1998. 

You could argue there’s never been a better opportunity for Australia to beat New Zealand at Eden Park. The Wallabies are enjoying a six-Test unbeaten run – their longest such streak since 2017, with five games in this rejuvenated period coming under new head coach Les Kiss. In their most recent outing, Australia secured an extraordinary 42-38 victory over a much-changed South Africa side in Perth, despite being reduced to 11 players at one point. 

Australia will feel further encouraged due to several key absences for New Zealand, as Ardie Savea, Ruben Love, Richie Mo’unga, Caleb Clarke, Fehi Fineanganofo, Billy Proctor and Anton Lienert-Brown are all out injured. In a reshuffle for the All Blacks, Damian McKenzie will begin at fly-half for the first time in 2026. Other notable inclusions for the home side see all three Barrett brothers, Codie Taylor, Tupou Vaa’i, Cam Roigard and Will Jordan starting. 

Meanwhile, the visitors are without the suspended Hunter Paisami, with Isaac Henry taking his place at centre. The likes of Ryan Lonergan, Len Ikitau, Harry Wilson, Ben Donaldson and Max Jorgensen, who were all key to the triumph against the Springboks, retain their starting spots. 

All the statistics overwhelmingly favour New Zealand. The All Blacks have not lost any edition of the Bledisloe Cup since 2002, winning 51 series to Australia’s 12, and are unbeaten at Eden Park since 1994, when they lost to France. Australia are winless at Eden Park since 1986, tasting defeat there 30 times in 34 games, and have lost their last 11 Tests against New Zealand. 

However, given the landscape heading into this historic rivalry between these two heavyweights, it genuinely feels like anything could happen. 

Kick-off is at 7:10am.

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