Bledisloe Cup 2022: Wallabies stunned as All Blacks clinch controversial victory
Australia has been left heartbroken after New Zealand clinched a stunning victory after a controversial call by the referee, which sparked a furious backlash and raised tensions between the teams.
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Bernard Foley was “bewildered” by the controversial call from referee Mathieu Raynal that cost the Wallabies an epic Bledisloe Cup victory, but the All Blacks hit back saying it was completely justified as trans-Tasman hostilities continued post-match.
Commentator Tim Horan called it a disgraceful decision, Wallabies coach Dave Rennie said it lacked a feel for the occasion, and Australian captain James Slipper said he’d never seen a call like it in his 125-Test career.
The Wallabies were on the verge of victory, leading 37-34 in the final minute, with Lalakai Foketi winning a crucial turnover.
Foley needed to kick the ball out, and the Wallabies simply had to win the lineout and kick the ball dead to win.
But Raynal penalised Foley for wasting time, saying he had blown his whistle the Wallabies five-eighth simply had not taken action.
It proved the decisive moment of the game, as the All Blacks launched a final wave at the Wallabies line and despite desperate defence, Jordie Barrett crossed in the corner to clinch one of the most enthralling Bledisloe victories of all time.
“He’s a bit bewildered to be honest, shocked by the decision,” Wallabies coach Dave Rennie said. “He’s had a great performance and he feels he’s let people down. He’s gutted.”
Rennie said he will seek a please explain from match officials this week over the call.
“I’ve never seen a call like that, at any level,” Rennie said. “Let the teams decide the outcome, just a real lack of feel for the occasion.
78.25: Penalty.
— iainpayten (@iainpayten) September 15, 2022
78.50: Raynal - "Play on please".
78.55: Raynal - "Quick play".
78.56: Raynal blows time off. "Time off.
7 seconds elapses. "You play now. Time on."
Three seconds.
78.59: Raynal "Ten?" - Foley looks back, begins kick.
79.04: Blows freekick
39 seconds had elapsed
Speechless...ðŸ¤#StanSportAU#BledisloeCup#AUSvNZLpic.twitter.com/kf9mhxcaoJ
— Stan Sport Rugby (@StanSportRugby) September 15, 2022
“I spoke to Bernard after the game. He was under the impression time was off. The referee had told him to play and at no stage was he told or did he believe he was going to call a scrum from that.
“Most situations the clock is off and the clock stays off, so it sounds like the clock went off and then he started it again.
That’s the worst I’ve seen 👀#BledisloeCup
— Matt Giteau 🇦🇺 (@giteau_rugby) September 15, 2022
A super contest arguably ruined by that last call.. I can’t believe that. 🤦ðŸ¼â€â™‚ï¸ congrats @AllBlacks & @wallabies on an unreal game! Such a cruel ending 😢#BledisloeCup
— Matt Giteau 🇦🇺 (@giteau_rugby) September 15, 2022
“As we know, a team scores a try late and you take your time getting back to halfway and they stop the clock and wait until you kick off. The disappointing thing from our point of view is it was a fantastic game of footy and we should be celebrating the game as opposed to talking about a ref decision in the last minute.”
Horan went further on Stan Sport, saying: “I’ve been commentating for over 20 years, I thought it was a disgraceful decision by the referee and I thought he cracked under pressure.
“I reckon you could have another 15 referees, big referees for World Rugby, that would have taken that calmly and wouldn’t have got overawed by the experience - 90 seconds left in the game, and he cracked under pressure in one of the biggest moments, one the biggest games here in Australia, it was a disgraceful decision and World Rugby need to look at it.”
But All Blacks coach Ian Foster shot back, saying Raynal was absolutely correct.
“I thought it was very clear cut, they were delaying the kick,” Foster said.
“He [Raynal] said ‘time off’. He warned him then he said ‘time off’ and then he said to speed up then he said ‘time on’. Then he asked him twice to kick it.
“I understand there is a contentious nature about it but it was very clear cut from the opposition. The other one that wasn’t clear cut was when [Andrew] Kellaway and the TMO wanted to look at what was a very suspicious forward pass and yet the conversion was allowed to be taken.
“Part of your game management is to listen to the referee. So when the referee says ‘time on’ you have to play it. I just saw it out there. I heard very clearly what the ref said. So I think we’ve just got to be careful.
“If people think that decided the Test match then you’re going to go through and analyse all the other decisions in the game too. So I thought the ref was very clear about what he did. So whether people agree or disagree, he certainly had a very clear mind about it.”
Foster was also furious about an incident in the first half where Wallabies lock Darcy Swain was sin-binned for jamming his shoulder into the leg of centre Quinn Tupaea, causing an ACL injury that will likely sideline him for the rest of the year.
“We’ve got a big issue with it, we’ve got a player who is going to be out for nine months, you’re not supposed to target legs,” Foster said.
But Rennie believes Swain was unlucky.
“I’m not convinced about Darcy Swain’s, it was certainly nothing intentional; ironically he got neck-rolled prior to him cleaning out but that wasn’t picked up,” Rennie said.
The monumental error from Foley saw the All Blacks snatch a sensational win after the full-time siren to retain the Bledisloe Cup for a 20th straight year.
It was 39-37 in the end, and ensures the Wallabies must wait until 2023 to have another chance to reclaim the trophy, with next week’s second match in Auckland a dead rubber.
Foley had done all he could to keep the Wallabies in the game, setting up a try and kicking six goals including two from the sideline.
This was a match of twists and turns, rollercoaster passages of attacking brilliance, and late lead changes that left the crowd of 53,245 at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium breathless.
The scores were level at 10-all at half-time, but the second half was out of this world.
The All Blacks went from a 17-13 lead in the 51st minute, to 31-13 in the 56th courtesy of two stunning tries to Richie Mo’unga and Will Jordan.
Andrew Kellaway scored a 61st minute try running onto a Foley offload, bringing the score to 31-20, then another in the 67th from a scrum move followed by Foley’s sideline conversion had the Wallabies within reach at 31-27.
Mo’unga kicked a 45-metre penalty goal, before Australia immediately hit back with another try to Pete Samu, whose clever interplay with Marika Koroibete – who had set him loose down the wing with a cutout pass before receiving again and passing back to Samu – set up Foley for another sideline conversion, this time from the left side.
He nailed it, and it was 34-all with five minutes remaining.
Rob Valetini won a breakdown penalty near halfway and Nic White kicked an incredible 48-metre goal to push Australia into the lead for the first time in the game.
It should have been enough, but the Wallabies gave the Kiwis one final opportunity, and it’s all they needed.
The Wallabies started the contest by walking towards the haka in an arrow formation.
But four minutes into the game, Kiwi hooker and man-of-the-match Samisoni Taukei’aho was over for the first try, from his side’s second lineout drive close to Australia’s line.
The All Blacks then won a penalty from the first scrum of the game in the eighth minute, a danger sign for the men in gold. Jordie Barrett’s 43-metre penalty attempt from that penalty sailed wide, but Mo’unga’s attempt from 42 metres in front was perfectly kicked to give the visitors a 10-0 lead after 12 minutes.
The Wallabies were on the scoreboard in the 18th minute when Foley kicked a penalty from in front.
They believed they’d scored in the 21st when Kellaway crashed over the line, but replays showed Rieko Ioane had held the ball just off the grass.
Five minutes later, after turning down shots at goal for scrum and lineout penalties, the Wallabies did have their first try when Valetini barged into Ethan de Groot and through Sam Whitelock to plant the ball on the line.
At 10-all, the All Blacks suffered a further blow when immediately after awarding the try, Raynal sin-binned Dalton Papali’i, who had seconds earlier replaced captain Sam Cane who required a head injury assessment.
The All Blacks held out a thrilling 15-phase raid by the Wallabies at the line, then after Caleb Clarke made a scything break to the other end of the field winger Tom Wright was sin-binned for ruck interference.
Then, at the request of television match official Ben Whitehouse, Aussie lock Darcy Swain was also sin-binned for dangerous contact for targeting the leg of Quinn Tupaea with his shoulder, forcing the midfielder to limp off the field.
With centres Tupaea and David Havili both injured, the All Blacks were forced to inject Beauden Barrett into the game two minutes before half-time.
Taukei’aho nearly scored his second try just before the break, but Kellaway’s tackle forced a knock on, so the teams went into the break level.
But it only took 50 second of the second half for Taukei’aho to bag his double, finishing a spread that began when the All Blacks defenders rolled over Kellaway at the ruck to steal the ball.
Jake Gordon was sin-binned for collapsing a maul in the 51st minute and immediately, Mo’unga scored a try by blitzing Foley on the outside and powering through Len Ikitau and Marika Koroibete at the line.
Then three minutes later Will Jordan scored a stunning try after running onto a midfield chip by Beauden Barrett, stepping Kellaway, and outpacing Nic White and Foley to the line.
The final 20 minutes was a blur of rapid fire rugby, lead changes, controversy and ultimately failure for the Australians.
AS IT HAPPENED: RELIVE WALLABIES’ CRUEL DEFEAT
9.56PM: AUS 37 NZ 39: ALL BLACKS CLAIM CONTROVERSIAL WIN
Huge drama as the All Blacks pinch an remarkable Bledisloe Cup victory in Melbourne. The Wallabies looked to have the game in the bag after surviving an All Blacks attacking raid and winning a penalty — only for Benard Foley to be pinged for time wasting.
That gave New Zealand one last chance and they didn’t waste it, with Jordie Barrett scoring out in the corner ... in the 81st minute.
Wow.
9.49PM: AUS 37 NZ 34: WHITE PUTS WALLABIES IN FRONT!
Can you believe it?! The Wallabies have hit the lead with only a few minutes left on the clock.
Rob Valentini wins a penalty for Australia and Nick White steps up to smoke a massive kick as the Wallabies take a 37-34 lead.
9.46PM: AUS 34 NZ 34: SAMU LEVELS FOR WALLABIES!
This is incredible, from out of nowhere Australia has leveled the scores. Richie Mo’unga’s penalty goal extended New Zealand’s lead to seven points but the Wallabies hit straight back, with Pete Samu bursting clear down the left touchline and exchanging passes with Marika Koroibete before scoring in the corner.
Bernard Foley lives up to his nickname of The Iceman and nails the conversion - scores are level with six minutes to go!
9.41PM: AUS 27 v NZ 31: KELLAWAY DOUBLE SPARKS WALLABIES
Andrew Kellaway scores ... and scores again and suddenly we have a ball game in Melbourne
9.34PM: AUS 20 NZ 31 - WALLABIES HIT BACK
‘Now the game has got a pulse’. So says Wallabies legend Tim Horan in commentary as Australia hit back with a lovely try to fullback Andrew Kellaway.
There was more than a hint of a forward pass from Bernard Foley, whose offload was described generously as ‘flat’. Foley rushes his conversion and the TMO has no chance to overturn Kellaway this time and the Wallabies trail by 11 inside the final quarter.
9.22PM AUS 13 NZ 31 - ALL BLACKS GO BACK TO BACK
Tom Wright and Darcey Swain have barely returned from the sin bin when the Wallabies are rocked by another yellow card — their third for the night.
This time it’s halfback Jake Gordon given his marching orders for deliberately collapsing the maul, and the All Blacks instantly capitalise with a a try to Richie Mo’unga. Moments later and the All Blacks are in again as Will Jordan gathers in a beautiful Beauden Barrett chip kick and races away to score. All of a sudden the All Blacks lead by 18 heading into the final 20 minutes.
9.10PM: AUS 10 NZ 17 - ALL BLACKS MAKE WALLABIES PAY
The second half is only a minute old before the All Blacks cash in on their two-man advantage, turning defence into attack ... and then a try.
Andrew Kellaway does well to recover a dangerous kick but the All Blacks force the turnover and then spread the ball wide before hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho straightens and bags his second try of the night.
In further bad news for the Wallabies James Slipper’s night is over as he joins Rob Leota in the injury ward for the Wallabies. They’ll need a huge effort from here.
8.51PM: AUS 10 NZ 10 - HALF-TIME IN MELBOURNE
Somehow the 13-man Wallabies have held on to go into the sheds with the scores level.
The All Blacks piled on the pressure after Wallabies Tom Wright and Darcy Swain were shown yellow cards back to back but somehow couldn’t make them pay.
Jake Gordon came up with an incredible try-saving tackle and the New Zealanders were sloppy, to leave the scores at 10-all at the break.
Dave Rennie will have to be happy with the grit the Wallabies showed first of all in fighting back from 10-0 down and then holding the All Blacks out towards the end of the half.
They’ll still be two players down for a tick over six minutes when they resume after half-time but they are hanging in there ... for now.
36’ | Two yellow cards for the Wallabies. One for cynical play at the breakdown and the second for a dangerous cleanout. Huge end to the half ahead.
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) September 15, 2022
10 - 10 #AUSvNZL 🇦🇺🇳🇿 #TRC2022
8.29PM: AUS 10 v NZ 10 - WALLABIES HIT BACK
It’s all happening in Melbourne — and now it’s all square. In a crazy few moments, the Wallabies bounced back from the disappointment of Andrew Kellaway’s disallowed try to hit back with a powerful five-pointer through Rob Valetini.
Meanwhile, the All Blacks have lost centre David Havili for the night after he copped a head knock. Captain Sam Cane has also come off for a HIA while Dalton Papali’i has been yellow-carded and will spend 10 minutes in the sin bin. Can the Wallabies take advantage of the extra man?
8.25PM: AUS 3 NZ 10 - WALLABIES DENIED BY TMO
It’s heartbreak for the Wallabies as Andrew Kellaway gets over off the back of a slick backline movement and dives over in the corner.
The ref likes it and the Wallabies celebrate their first try of the night ... except! On the replay, it doesn’t look like Kellaway has grounded the ball, and sure enough the TMO confirms it’s NO TRY.
Rieko Ioane is the man who makes the initial tackle, Richie Mo’unga slides across to finish it off but the damage is done by Kellaway himself who conspires to get his opposite hand under the ball and prevent the grounding. Props to Ioane and Mo’unga though, they never gave up. Brutal for the Wallabies though.
8.19PM: AUS 3 NZ 10 - WALLABIES ON THE BOARD
Stop me if you’ve heard this before but the All Blacks are on top in the Bledisloe Cup.
They got the best possible start through Samisoni Taukei’aho’s try then, after Jordie Barrett sends a long-range penalty goal wide of the posts, Richie Mo’unga makes no mistake with his own attempt to extend the All Blacks’ lead to 10-0.
The Wallabies can’t take a trick, giving away a penalty while in possession just as they started building an attack.
Next, All Blacks centre David Havili is taken off following a head knock, with Quinn Tupaea replacing him.
The Wallabies regroup, and after a bit of sustained pressure get themselves on the scoreboard through a penalty goal from comeback kid Bernard Foley. It’s the All Blacks leading 10-3 after 18 minutes.
8.02PM: AUS 0 NZ 7 - HOT START FOR ALL BLACKS
That is NOT the start Dave Rennie would have been hoping for. After bungling the kick-off reception, the Wallabies have been on the back foot ... and after a few minutes of sustained pressure the All Blacks make them pay. Samisoni Taukei’aho gets the ball down out wide after a rolling maul, Richie Mo’unga nails the sideline conversion and the All Blacks lead 7-0 after five minutes.
7.59PM: AUS 0 NZ 0 - BLEDISLOE CUP UNDER WAY
The pre-match formalities begin with a moment of silence for Queen Elizabeth, followed by the national anthems and then the haka. For the record the Wallabies opted to form something resembling a Flying V as they faced off with the All Blacks.
And now ... we are under way in Melbourne! New Zealand kicks off through Richie Mo’unga and it’s a sloppy start as the Wallabies let the kick-off hit the deck before they are bundled into touch. An early chance for the Kiwis who have a line-out 22m out from Australia’s line.
7.45PM: HERE WE GO!
The teams are out on the field and we are minutes away from kick-off at Marvel Stadium —where the roof is closed.
Jamie Pandaram is our man on the ground in Melbourne and he reports that the New Zealanders might have already notched a surprise win: “There are a huge amount of All Blacks jerseys in Marvel Stadium”, he writes. “And Melbourne residents’ preference for black clothing are making this look like a home Test for New Zealand.”
💪 Let’s get it!#Wallabies@eToroAU#AUSvNZLpic.twitter.com/6nCmpis8ZK
— Wallabies (@wallabies) September 15, 2022
Almost time 🖤#AUSvNZLpic.twitter.com/lRhCpHiD73
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) September 15, 2022
7.30PM: ALL BLACKS UNDER PRESSURE?
As we know, New Zealand has held the Bledisloe Cup since 2002 ... but are their signs that this version of the All Blacks is potentially, maybe, possibly vulnerable?
They lost at home to Ireland - for the first time ever - and have also fallen to South Africa and Argentina.
All Blacks skipper Sam Cane is aware of the stakes.
“We haven’t been pleased with our consistency this year,” he said in the lead-up to tonight’s clash.
“It’s a tough place to play in Australia, but we’ve always had great success here.”
New Zealand have won 16 of their last 20 Tests against Australia, by an average margin of 24 points, but Cane remains wary of a side that always “front up”.
“They’ve got a really good pack, they’ve had a lot of success with their driving maul. When they get humming, they can score points quickly,” he said.
“The thing about the Aussies, it doesn’t matter what’s going on, they’ve always got plenty of confidence in themselves and their ability and they have shown time and time again how they can front up.
“I expect the intensity to be right up there, from the outset.”
— with AFP
6.45PM: COUNTDOWN TO BLEDISLOE CUP OPENER
Welcome to our live coverage of the Bledisloe Cup opener at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium. It’s an hour to kick-off as Dave Rennie’s Wallabies plot an upset against the All Blacks.
As we all know it’s been a fair while since Australia lay claim to the Bledisloe Cup — all the way back to 2002 in fact.
But all sporting streaks have to come to an end, right? Right? Well, we’ll soon find out if this can be the year.
The stage is set! ðŸŸ
— RUGBYcomau (@rugbycomau) September 15, 2022
🆚 #AUSvNZL
â° TODAY 7:55pm AEST
🟠Marvel Stadium, Melbourne
📺 @StanSportAU@Channel9#Wallabies#TRC2022pic.twitter.com/TDVaiAe64u
Here’s how the teams — and Melbourne — look as we approach kick-off.
Wallabies (15-1): Andrew Kellaway, Tom Wright, Len Ikitau, Lalakai Foketi, Marika Koroibete, Bernard Foley, Jake Gordon, Rob Valetini, Pete Samu, Rob Leota, Matt Philip, Jed Holloway, Allan Alaalatoa, Dave Porecki, James Slipper (c)
Reserves: Folau Fainga’a, Scott Sio, Pone Fa’amausili, Darcy Swain, Fraser McReight, Nic White, Reece Hodge, Jordan Petaia
All Blacks (15-1): Jordie Barrett, Will Jordan, Rieko Ioane, David Havili, Caleb Clarke, Richie Mo’unga, Aaron Smith, Hoskins Sotutu, Sam Cane (c), Scott Barrett, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Tyrel Lomax, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Ethan de Groot
Reserves: Dane Coles, George Bower, Fletcher Newell, Akira Ioane, Dalton Papali’i, Finlay Christie, Beauden Barrett, Quinn Tupaea
More Coverage
Originally published as Bledisloe Cup 2022: Wallabies stunned as All Blacks clinch controversial victory
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