Bledisloe Cup 2024 live updates and results: Wallabies stare down two-decade drought in NZ

The Wallabies showed plenty of fight but the All Blacks flexed their muscle when it counted to secure another Bledisloe sweep.

The Wallabies’ Test drought in New Zealand extended to 23 years when their brave challenge in Wellington was repelled by an All Blacks’ onslaught on Saturday.

The Wallabies were worthy leaders at 13-12 a tick before half-time but were swamped 21-0 from there to lose 33-13.

Even though the Wallabies won just one of their six games in The Rugby Championship, the final two hours of the tournament against the All Blacks in Sydney and Wellington produced their most positive play.

The Wallabies binned the box kick and ran the ball in “The Cake Tin” where the heart and scramble in defence also gave reason for optimism.

Wallabies forward Angus Bell charges into the All Blacks defence. Picture: Getty Images

The Wallabies corrected their ordinary 0-21 opening in Sydney a week earlier with a fast opening that tested the All Blacks early.

“We are obviously gutted. It is not the result we came for,” Wallabies captain Harry Wilson told Stan Sport.

“We showed up. We started fast and had a few chances at the end to get points which we didn’t.

“We haven’t got the results we wanted in The Rugby Championship but we felt we have built and improved.

“We need to win. (What we need is) a complete 80-minute performance and we have not really not done that through the tournament.”

SAME OLD STORY ACROSS THE DITCH

The Kiwis were on the back foot early but when they had their first chance centre Anton Lienert-Brown put a perfect pass into the hands of winger Sevu Reece for the try.

By contrast, when Tom Wright made a superb break his pass to winger Andrew Kellaway wasn’t within metres of its target.

Sevu Reece charges forward on his way to the try line. Picture: Getty Images

Poor finishing like that has crippled the Wallabies when they have created chances throughout The Rugby Championship.

The All Blacks were more clinical and that proved the difference.

The visitors led 13-12 before a 21-0 scoring sport by the All Blacks across 23 minutes broke the game open.

CHANCE TAKEN

In his starting debut, aggressive winger Dylan Pietsch showed that rugby’s high paid recruit Joseph Sua’ali’i will not just waltz into a wing spot on the end of season tour of Europe.

Pietsch made a strong fist of replacing Fijian flyer Marika Koroibete (hand injury).

He relished his starting role with his thumping defence including a jolting trysaver on Codie Taylor. He made angled runs back infield and was safe under the garryowen.

Australia's Dylan Pietsch tackles New Zealand's Codie Taylor. Picture: AFP

The best of his impressive first half moments came when he leapt acrobatically from in touch to reel in a Beauden Barrett penalty kick for the sideline.

If he didn’t, the All Blacks could have struck for a try.

You still had to compare him to the marvellous Caleb Clarke whose superb timing and power for the first of his two tries on half time grabbed the lead at 19-13.

TUPOU’S TICKER

Tighthead tank Taniela Tupou finally answered disgruntled Wallabies fans who had been questioning his resilience and fitness this season in his limited minutes.

Ardie Savea checks on Taniela Tupou as he receives medical attention. Picture:Getty Images

After going down within the first 60 seconds with a right knee injury, Tupou carried on, gingerly, to help get his team in the match in the first half.

He played until the 44th minute. He earned a breakdown penalty at a crucial time as well as winning a scrum penalty that led to Noah Lolesio retaking the lead, 13-12, with a penalty goal.

How it unfolded.

Originally published as Bledisloe Cup 2024 live updates and results: Wallabies stare down two-decade drought in NZ