Fifty-point All Blacks overwhelm Australia to retain Bledisloe Cup
The All Blacks defeated Australia in a dominant performance to retain the Bledisloe Cup for the 24th consecutive year. New Zealand utilized superior aerial tactics and forward power to secure a decisive victory in Auckland.
Why it matters
The result reinforces New Zealand's long-standing dominance in this major rugby rivalry and highlights the tactical evolution of the All Blacks under recent pressure.
The greatest compliment you could pay the All Blacks for dissecting Australia was that their dominance and ruthlessness were Springbok-esque, comprehensively popping the Wallabies' recent bubble under head coach Les Kiss.
Both teams came into this contest at the All Blacks' Eden Park fortress having last played South Africa: Australia knocked off the world champions in Perth while New Zealand lost the Greatest Rivalry series 3-1 .
A telling feature of those matches was the Springboks' aerial dominance, which Australia would have studied hard given the spring-heeled backs at their disposal.
All Black Josh Lord challenges Harry Wilson for the ball - Getty Images/Michael Bradley
Also covering this story
3 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
All Blacks v Wallabies: Dan Carter backs Beauden Barrett to shine in Bledisloe Cup
All Blacks pile on 50 points in emphatic Bledisloe Cup win at Eden Park
Wallabies stare down Eden Park hoodoo in bid to break 23-year Bledisloe Cup drought
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