Bledisloe Cup as it happened: All Blacks shake off capital curse in Wellington against Wallabies

Thank you for your company this evening and I will leave you with Payto’s match report here.

We will look forward to November and the spring tour.

That is nine Tests under Joe Schmidt with four wins in total.

It is a huge task ahead of the Spring tour and it is a daunting lineup of Tests ahead.

Apart from South Africa, Ireland are one of the strongest sides in the world, England and Scotland have also been showing strong form, with July’s opponents Wales the weakest out of the bunch, but still, a far different proposition in front of their home fans in Cardiff.

Schmidt’s side are showing attacking promise and the defence did look a lot better than last week in Sydney, particularly in the first half.

On the negative side of the ledger, there are still errors in execution, particularly loose kicks that spring counterattacks from opposition that stretch the Wallabies defence to its limits.

Speaking to Stan Sport, Jake Gordon highlights the team’s recognition that they were using the box kick a bit too much and wanted to open the game up a bit.

The All Blacks response in the second half was brutal and shut down any carries the Wallabies had, but there is something to work with here.

That’s full-time and it’s two wins on the bounce for the All Blacks and they extend their winning run over Australia at home now to 24 years.

Even at 20 points late in the game, the All Blacks were fierce in defence and didn’t let the Wallabies near their try line.

After the promise of the first half, the All Blacks reviewed their defensive patterns and shut down the Wallabies brutally.

It’s now time for the Wallabies to regroup ahead of their European tour in November.

Full time: Wallabies 13 All Blacks 33

Referee Nika Amashukeli awards a penalty against New ZealandCredit: Getty Images

The game is almost and Caleb Clarke is yellow-carded for playing the ball offside, but it’s almost incidental.

A half break from Tom Wright gives a glimpse of what could have been, but he is quickly snaffled by the All Blacks’ defence.

The oldest sporting cliche in the book, a game of two halves, the first half great, the second half highly frustrating. This is almost the ball game.

The pressure gauge has eased on Scott Robertson tonight.

Wallabies 13 All Blacks 33

There was just no way through for the Wallabies in their best passage of play in this half. The All Blacks just would not let them near their try line.

It all comes to nothing after Harry Wilson eventually knocks on the ball after getting smashed back in contact.

The All Blacks are up 20 points and are giving the Wallabies absolutely nothing. A resounding defensive performance that is roared on by this Wellington crowd.

Wellingon hoodoo? It’s over for the All Blacks tonight.

All Blacks 33 Wallabies 13

Only in a country like New Zealand, or possibly South Africa would a player of the ability of Damian McKenzie be under so much pressure.

He answers his critics with some magic, opening up the Wallabies’ defence and allowing Caleb Clarke to get over for a simple try.

The game is running away from the Wallabies.

Wallabies 13 All Blacks 33

Wallace Sititi running with the ballCredit: Getty Images

That definitely looked like a knock-on from Codie Taylor that the referee missed, and then the hooker plays the ball on the ground.

Tupou Vaa’i’s try is rubbed out.

Thank god for TMOs.

It is just given as a knock on and the Wallabies breath again. For now.

Wallabies 13 All Blacks 26

Anton Lienert-Brown of New Zealand chargesCredit: Getty Images

The big prop Tamaiti Williams proves too difficult for the Wallabies defence to hold out, not the worst guy to call off the bench.

The Wallabies’ defence has been a lot better than last week, and you cannot fault the bravery, but again it is loose kicking that is giving the All Blacks a lot of room to counterattack.

Expect to see Tate McDermott very soon to inject some pace into this game.

The Wallabies will need to respond very quickly or this game could run away after so much great work early.

Wallabies 13 All Blacks 26

A maul forms as the Wallabies try to slow the ballCredit: Getty Images

A great bit of play from the Wallabies in attack, the ball comes to Dylan Pietsch who grubbers the ball and it hits Will Jordan who is almost through for a try.

Brilliant piece of defence from Andrew Kellaway who rips the ball out of TJ Perenara hands.

The Wallabies are living very very dangerously.

Wallabies 13 All Blacks 19

Dylan Pietsch of the Wallabies is tackledCredit: Getty Images