New Zealand prove too strong for Australia as they end Wellington drought

Winger Caleb Clarke scored two tries as New Zealand beat Australia 33-13 on Saturday to round out the Rugby Championship with a third win and snap their six-year victory drought in Wellington.
The All Blacks back three of Sevu Reece, Will Jordan and Clarke all scored tries in the first half and prop Tamaiti Williams also crossed after the break before Clarke added his second in the final quarter.
Two losses to South Africa and another at home to Argentina meant a 21st Rugby Championship title was beyond the All Blacks, but they were delighted to have sent former captain Sam Cane home a winner in his 100th Test.
It was New Zealand’s first Test victory in the nation’s capital in six attempts going back to 2018.
“Really pleased to reverse the curse,” said All Blacks skipper Scott Barrett. “We didn’t start too well but I’m really pleased with how we finished. Some grit in defence there and we held out the Aussies.
“And Sammy, 100 Test matches. You know, every time he’s come out here, he’s put his body on the line and I’m hugely proud of him.”
The Wallabies played some of their best rugby of the year in the first half but only had a Fraser McReight try and two Noah Lolesio penalties to show for their efforts as they finished the tournament with a single win from six matches.
“Obviously gutted,” said Australia captain Harry Wilson. “That’s not the result we wanted. I thought our first 40 was really good, we showed up, we started fast. But we struggled with possession there in the second half and had a few chances at the end to get some points and we didn’t.”
Australia coach Joe Schmidt had been looking for a better start after his side conceded three tries in the first 16 minutes as they lost 31-28 to the All Blacks last week in Sydney.
The New Zealander got what he wanted in spades as the Wallabies hammered into the All Blacks with guile, accuracy and physicality from the kick-off.
Scrumhalf Jake Gordon had already knocked on with the line at his mercy after a slick move from a scrum before flanker McReight forced his way over for the first try after eight minutes of unrelenting pressure from the visitors.
The All Blacks hit back against the run of play eight minutes later, however, when blindside Wallace Sititi stormed through the middle of the field from turnover ball and centre Anton Lienert-Brown lofted the perfect pass for Reece to touch down.
Outhalf Lolesio gave the Wallabies a 10-7 lead with a penalty after 19 minutes but it was short-lived as Jordan showed his class three minutes later by scything through the defence for his 35th Test try in his 36th international.
Another Lolesio penalty edged Australia 13-12 in front four minutes before the break but New Zealand, as they so often have, struck back with a third try on the stroke of half-time, Clarke straightening up a ragged attack to go over under the posts.
The Wallabies would have considered themselves unfortunate to resume 19-13 down and although they continued to play well, the All Blacks were now enjoying a more even share of possession and the referee was penalising both sides more equally.
Williams barged across the line in the 55th minute and Clarke rounded out another period of pressure to secure his brace nine minutes later, the first time the All Blacks had scored in the last quarter in six Rugby Championship Tests this year.
Australia had not given up, however, and pounded away at the All Blacks line for much of the remainder of the match but the home defence held firm even after Clarke had been shown a late yellow card.
(c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2024