Australia's victory over New Zealand -

SIPA

A week after humiliating Australia on its land, New Zealand fell against its eternal Oceanian rival (24-22), thus suffering, on Saturday in Brisbane, its first defeat since the World Cup in Japan, in October 2019 The All Blacks, two-time World Cup title holders, lost in the semifinals against England before taking third place.

Since their return to the field in October, they had conceded a draw then twice beaten the Wallabies and signed, in particular, a historic success (43-5) last Saturday in Sydney on the first day of the Rugby Championship.

It was the widest gap in history between the two teams.

In front of several thousand unmasked spectators, the Wallabies did everything to avoid such a pants down and were rewarded for their efforts against New Zealanders much less exciting in the game than last Saturday.

Coach Ian Foster left the Aaron Smith - Richie Mo'unga hinge at rest, and replaced Beauden Barrett in N.10.

But the best player in the world of 2016 and 2017 and his partners stumbled upon a rough Australian side who shoved them from start to finish.

The game turned out to be very muscular.

Each team received a red card for a high tackle: first the New Zealand right pillar Ofa Tu'ungafasi then the Australian third row Lachlan Swinton, author for 35 minutes of a successful performance for his first selection under the gold tunic.

The meeting was also marked by several clashes: the All Blacks captain Sam Cane with the left pillar James Slipper or the New Zealand scrum half with his “Aussie” counterpart Nic Whyte.

The Australians did more than compete.

They were the ones who took the lead in less than five minutes on an inspiration from Reece Hodge, who started at the opening after Noah Lolesio's very difficult international debut last Saturday.

Argentina's turn

His kick over the defense opened a gap that Tom Wright converted to a try.

They failed to take advantage of their short superiority but held on even after the yellow card inflicted on winger Marika Koroibete just before the break.

At thirteen against fourteen, Hodge's foot kept them afloat (11-8).

But the New Zealanders, even jostled, found the flaw on a group penetrating right side with Codie Taylor at the conclusion which allowed them to take the advantage for the first time (11-13).

But Hodge, despite two failures in front of the poles, held on and his team was rewarded with a last try signed Taniela Tupou (22-15).

The All Blacks tried everything, managing to come back to two lengths after a try from Tupou Vaa'i and a transformation from Jordie Barrett, Beauden's brother, replaced from the wing to the back.

Too late.

The last victory of the Wallabies against the All Blacks dated back to August 17, 2019 in Perth (47-26).

The next match of this Rugby Championship, reduced to three teams after the withdrawal of South Africa, will see the entry of the Argentines next Saturday.

It will be against New Zealand.

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