All Blacks Clinch 23rd Straight Bledisloe Cup With Late Try Against Wallabies

The All Blacks held their nerve under pressure to claim a 33-24 victory over the Wallabies at Eden Park on Saturday, sealing their 23rd consecutive Bledisloe Cup and keeping their Rugby Championship hopes alive.

Eden Park Fortress Still Standing

For more than three decades, Eden Park has been a graveyard for visiting teams, and the latest Test only reinforced its aura. New Zealand stretched their unbeaten run at the venue to 52 matches, a statistic that has become folklore in Kiwi rugby circles. Fans on social media were quick to call Eden Park “rugby’s Fort Knox,” reminding Australians that the last Wallaby win there came in 1986.

A Fast Start and a Fierce Fightback

Caleb Clarke set the tone with an early try in the fourth minute, sparking hopes of a runaway result. When Leroy Carter and Cam Roigard crossed soon after, and Beauden Barrett added the extras before limping off injured, the All Blacks looked to be cruising at 20-3.

But the Wallabies, desperate to prove they could match their trans-Tasman rivals, refused to fold. Billy Pollard and Harry Potter crossed in quick succession before half-time, narrowing the score to 20-17 and sending a jolt of belief through the Australian camp.

McKenzie Steadies the Ship

Damian McKenzie stepped in for Barrett, slotting two penalties early in the second half to give New Zealand breathing space. His calm kicking under pressure highlighted why he remains one of the most trusted figures in the All Blacks setup.

Wallabies Push Back, But Discipline Costs Them

Carlo Tizzano’s try in the 69th minute brought Australia within touching distance at 26-24, setting up a thrilling finale. Yet discipline once again proved the Wallabies’ undoing. Harry Potter’s yellow card for a cynical foul shifted momentum decisively back to the hosts.

Roigard The Hero

With the clock winding down, Cam Roigard struck again, finishing a sweeping move initiated by Jordie Barrett and Quinn Tupaea. His second try in the 75th minute sealed the win and sparked celebrations in the stands, with fans chanting “Bledisloe forever” as the final whistle blew.

What This Means For The Championship

The bonus-point victory lifts New Zealand five points clear of the Springboks ahead of their clash with Argentina. For Australian rugby, the result is bittersweet: a spirited performance that showed progress but ultimately ended in another Bledisloe disappointment.

On social media, Kiwi fans hailed the resilience of their team, while Wallabies supporters expressed pride in the fightback but frustration at yet another missed chance to end the Eden Park curse.

{Source: SABC Sport}

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