Sat 21 Oct 2017 | 12:45
Wallabies upset All Blacks in Bledisloe Cup thriller in Brisbane

6
Comments

The Wallabies stunned the All Blacks with a 23-18 upset victory in Brisbane, breaking a seven-match losing streak against the World Champions. The Bledisloe Cup had already been claimed by New Zealand, but the win was hugely important for Australian rugby.

Stephen Moore was playing his final home game for the Wallabies and the passion from the home side showed, as their loose forwards in particular threw their bodies on the line in a brutally physical battle.

Sean McMahon and Michael Hooper led from the front, while out wide Israel Folau was his usual menacing self, picking up yet another try as Australia scored three to two.

Reece Hodge, who opened the game with an 80m intercept try, kicked a vitally important monster penalty with time running out, edging them even further ahead as the All Blacks chased the game.

After plenty of talk about this fixture being a dead rubber and the rivalry between the two sides being over, this win will go a long way towards shaking things up, leaving both sides in interesting positions ahead of their end of year tours.

Australia 23 (12)
Tries: Reece Hodge, Kurtley Beale, Marika Koroibete. Conversion: Bernard Foley. Penalties: Hodge (2)
New Zealand 18 (13)
Try: Waisake Naholo, Rieko Ioane. Conversion: Lima Sopoaga. Penalties: Sopoaga (2)

Michael Hooper post match interview here and press conference below, with highlights above

6 Comments

  • im1
    2:44 PM 23/10/2017

    the 'continuing your line' defence is only to turn something that is illegal into something that is not. He is in an offside position and takes out an opposition player. So technically, this is always going to start as offside/illegal.

    The question is whether he had the opportunity to not commit the offence, which he did as he could have slowed down or changed his line easily. Therefore he actively continuted to do something illegal when he could have prevented it so its a penalty.

  • drg
    1:42 PM 23/10/2017

    Oh I don't deny it was deliberate, but was it illegal? I mean, for instance if you don't change your line then you aren't infringing, or if you stand still you aren't infringing... I just mean I don't blame the AB player for bracing up.. I guess the way I think I'm seeing it is:

    Did I change my line? No
    Is he about to crash into me if I continue this line? Yes
    Ok, let's brace up for impact and ruin this guys day...

    So totally deliberate and definitely cynical, but I'm not so sure it's illegal...

    Agree that the ABs know the grey areas far better than any other team!!

  • oliver
    1:29 PM 23/10/2017

    Just rewatched it a third time.......and IMO that was totally deliberate. He intended to take out the guy about to tackle and did it very artfully...like oops, sorry.
    (very AB, that. I'm one of those guys who think the AB's not only play better, they also cheat better than other teams....)

  • drg
    1:20 PM 23/10/2017

    I agree with most of your comment, but do you really think that last penalty was much/worth a penalty? I keep re-watching it and it doesn't look like the AB player changed his line, just more braced himself for the inevitable impact from a wallaby focussed on the ball carrier... I mean cynical style, but didn't seem like much illegality to me, just seems like he leans into his own shoulder and the wallaby bounces off...

  • oliver
    11:05 AM 23/10/2017

    Very glad for the wallabies and rugby in general! It just gets boring when the ABs pummel everyone.
    Also very glad for that penalty at the end, that was very cynical play from the AB 18. Ref was good to spot it I thought.
    Final note: NZ fans booing when not even playing at home was cringey.....

  • oldflyhalf
    2:36 PM 22/10/2017

    Yesterday's defeat to the All Blacks a smart move by Hansen&com.? ...I think so.