Their ninth consecutive win over Australia required a block-busting defensive effort of 171 tackles by the All Blacks as Australia, who made 174 tackles, probed and probed again for openings on the home line, only once getting their way through the determined defence.
For the All Blacks, it was a relief, despite a slower start than usual this season, to reduce their lost opportunities, although there were still some, and demonstrate their continuing potential to build classy tries.
Fullback Will Jordan was always a threat, scoring New Zealand’s second try, while second five-eighths Anton Lienert-Brown was in control and made some powerful runs at the defensive line. Left-wing Caleb Clarke ended the game in the sin bin but secured two timely tries.
Loose forward Wallace Sititi was again a powerhouse, sharing the defensive load with experienced hands Sam Cane, in his 100th Test, and Ardie Savea, each fearless in their running with the ball in hand.
And off the bench at the end, Damian McKenzie had the chance to ignite a blindside break and put Clarke in for his second try with a typical show of power and drive in the 64th minute.
Australia’s start was built on a blindside move that saw wing Andrew Kellaway kick to the line. They almost scored, but halfback Jake Gordon knocked the ball on. However, the All Blacks couldn’t get out of the 22m, and pressure built on two penalties they conceded. After seven minutes, flanker Fraser McReight scored the first try.
Double trademark plays, a turnover by Savea in the All Blacks’ half, and sidestepping skills to get through a gap by Sititi, set up their first try when Lienert-Brown threw a perfect long ball to wing Sevu Reece, who scored.
Five minutes later, rucked ball was moved blind and first five-eighths Beauden Barrett threw a missed pass to Jordan, who, running hard onto the ball, left defending Australian loose forwards Harry Wilson and McReight standing to run in a try from 25m.
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Australian hopes of a halftime lead after a penalty goal landed by first five-eighths Noah Lolesio four minutes before the break were stymied when conceding two penalties in their 22m area from which the All Blacks kicked to the corner in an attempt to score.
Their maul couldn’t do the job, but when released to the backs, the ball was moved through the line, where Reece cut back across the field. When the ball emerged from the breakdown, Lienert-Brown slipped a short pass to Clarke, who hit the ball at speed to break the line and score.
It was a competitive first half with the All Blacks put under defensive pressure, but outstanding defence confined Australia to their only try of the game. Scott Barrett and Codie Taylor put in 12 tackles each, Cane and Savea 10 each, Wallace Sititi eight out of the 103 tackles the All Blacks had to make compared to 52 by Australia. But Australia missed 12 tackles in those 52 while the All Blacks missed 14.
Despite 58 percent of possession, Australia made only 170 metres compared to 236 by New Zealand. By the end of the game, it had turned around, with the All Blacks enjoying 53 percent possession and gained 612m to 306 for Australia.
After an unsettling period with times of wayward decisions and skills, the All Blacks scored first in the second half when a series of pick-and-goes saw replacement prop Tamaiti Williams scoring a try beneath the crossbar.
Then, after another Wallabies penalty, coming with a warning in the 22m area, lock Tupou Vaa’i looked to have scored, but the TMO sighted a knock-on, and the try was disallowed.
The final result left the selectors with plenty to think about for their northern tour as the pieces in the jigsaw fitted together better than in all their previous outings.
