Australia narrowly came out after an angry Bledisloe Cup win in Wellington but had to settle for a 16:16 draw on their first test under new coach Dave Rennie.
Reece Hodge had the chance to score a win with a 50-yard penalty after full-time that had the distance but hit the post heartbreakingly.
The game went on for another nine minutes in a desperate battle, but neither side could find the victory points and James O’Connor eventually decided to get the ball in contact and be content with the tie.
Wallabies skipper Michael Hooper, who took his 100th test, said her performance had a lot to like. “I’m very proud that our team fought all the way through,” said Hooper.
“It was a fun game, despite the conditions and despite the result, we got off to a good start with some things … there’s a lot of faith. It was close – a kick off the post – but we’ll be leaving next week. “
O’Connor kicked a penalty in the 73rd minute to break a 13-13 cul-de-sac and it looked like Australia could win New Zealand for the first time since 2001. But Australian veteran Rob Simmons missed a penalty with two minutes left to allow All Blacks winger Jordie Barrett to level.
The Wallabies were 8-3 back at halftime, but their wingers Marika Koroibete and debutante Filipo Daugunu both scored within 10 minutes to put the Australians on an unlikely win.
When the Australians tried to break New Zealand’s 18-year-old stranglehold at the Bledisloe Cup, they were a bit shaky early on and reversed three line-outs in the first half.
Australian touch judge Angus Gardner did the wallabies a disservice by failing to hoist his flag when Rieko Ioane set foot on the line ahead of the All Blacks’ first attempt.
The home team worked the ball wide in their first Test under new coach Ian Foster to make way for Barrett to open goal in the eighth minute.
It then looked like they were back at halftime, but Ioane blew a certain five-pointer when he lost control of the ball when he tried to put it down with one hand. All Black Halfback Aaron Smith made no mistake in the 43rd minute.
But the Wallabies weren’t worried, and their own # 9 Nic White mixed up his game to keep the All Blacks busy while their defense didn’t give Richie Mo’unga an inch.
Koroibete struck first when he shrugged Damien McKenzie, and the All Blacks full-back flipped the ball over for Daugunu’s attempt.
Thanks to the outstanding performance, the Wallabies can dare to dream of winning back the Bledisloe Cup, which is at a high point next Sunday next to Eden Park in Auckland.
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