‘Gutted’: Wallabies horror 23-year New Zealand curse continues
The Wallabies have been swept for a fourth consecutive Bledisloe campaign, but all hope is not lost in the Joe Schmidt era.
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They say it’s the hope that kills you — which is unfortunate as the Wallabies suffered yet another loss at the hands of the All Blacks despite another solid performance.
A week after the All Blacks retained the Bledisloe Cup for a 22nd straight year in a 31-28 thriller at Accor Stadium, the Wallabies were looking to break an even longer streak.
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While the Wallabies haven’t won the Bledisloe since 2002, the Aussies haven’t won a match against the All Blacks in New Zealand since a 23-15 win at Carisbrook, Dunedin back in 2001 — so long ago that the ground was closed in 2011.
That is 29 matches.
So it was all the more intriguing that the Wallabies led 13-12 just before halftime on Saturday.
Unfortunately the All Blacks eventually went to the break ahead after winger Caleb Clarke scored in extra time at the end of the first half, to take a 19-13 lead at the main break.
Although the Wallabies were well in the chase after the first 40, the second half was a different story as the All Blacks kicked on, scoring the only two tries of the second half to claim the 33-13 victory.
While the Wallabies had already wrapped up last place in the 2024 Rugby Championship for the second straight season, the side has thrown a few punches in yet another game as fans saw a future where Australia is once again competitive.
Aussie captain Harry Wilson was devastated after yet another loss.
“Obviously gutted,” he said. “It’s not the result we wanted.
“We struggled with possession in the second half.
“New Zealand were defending really well, they had 15 men on their feet.
“We haven’t got the results we wanted. I feel like we improved, but we need to win.”
But despite the recent pain, some fans are seeing a bright side.
One fan wrote: “It’s a long time since I’ve felt this positive about the Wallabies. I don’t care that we’re losing. I love the way they’re playing – as a team.”
Another suggested: “Wallabies shouldn’t be discouraged by that. Lots of improvements. Just need some time. The end of year tour will do wonders.”
A self described Australian Rugby Tragic added: “Still really encouraging how the Wallabies have refused to give up here, despite having very little ball. The Wallabies will win a few games on this NH tour.”
Another suggested this was all part of the longer term play for coach Joe Schmidt.
“I strongly believe how the wallabies defend and attack isn’t how this team will,” another fan commented.
“They are literally being taken back to basics and Schmidt is refusing to do anything beyond until they get them right.
“They are still at the washing the car stage of Karate Kid.”
A fifth added: “All in all, I still have tremendous faith in Joe Schmidt and this Wallabies team. They’ll come good. We’ll see something in November. Good processes will lead to good results, it just takes time, and we need to be patient enough to not throw the baby out with the bath water.”
Fans won’t have to wait too long to see if the Wallabies can take a next step with a four-Test northern hemisphere tour in November and December.
The All Blacks were dealing with a hoodoo of their own at Wellington’s Sky Stadium, where New Zealand hadn’t won in five matches (two draws and three losses).
“Really pleased to reverse the curse,” All Blacks captain Scott Barrett said on Stan Sport.
It was an improved finish to the match for Scott Robertson’s New Zealand, who have faltered badly in the closing stages of several recent Tests, including last week’s three-point defeat of the Wallabies.
As with the Sydney contest, both teams adopted a ball-in-hand approach in the return match, with the in-form Clarke a chief beneficiary as he took his tally to seven tries in five Tests this year.
Beauden Barrett, who started in place of Damian McKenzie at fly-half, landed four conversions for the All Blacks, while Wallabies counterpart Noah Lolesio kicked eight points, including the conversion of their lone try scored by Fraser McReight.
Australia were awarded the first six penalties of the match and dominated the opening stages resulting in flanker McReight burrowing over.
The All Blacks improved their discipline and registered three tries before the interval, all to outside backs.
Wing Sevu Reece capitalised on a break and accurate long pass from centre Anton Lienert-Brown to score, before fullback Will Jordan danced through the defence for his 35th try in 37 Tests.
The home side turned down a simple penalty shot at goal on the stroke of halftime and it gamble paid off, with Lienert-Brown’s pass sending Clarke through and untouched next to the posts.
New Zealand’s forwards took the upper hand as the game wore on and the result was put beyond doubt when replacement prop Tamaiti Williams and Clarke touched down in quick succession midway through the second half.
– With AFP
Originally published as ‘Gutted’: Wallabies horror 23-year New Zealand curse continues
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