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Australia celebrated a famous home win earlier today against New Zealand. The Wallabies were 47-26 winners to hand the All Blacks their biggest loss of all-time.
Australia would have a one-man advantage for half of the match as Scott Barrett was red carded. The New Zealand second-rower was send off for a dangerous tackle in which his shoulder made contact with Michael Hooper’s head.
The incident was a defining point of World Rugby’s guidelines for high tackles. Based on the Law 10.4(e) referee Jérôme Garcès correctly red carded the offender. The incident was similar to that which saw Sonny Bill Williams sent off against the Lions in 2017. Garcès was also the referee that day.
The red card means Barrett now faces a possible suspension with a three week ban the most likely outcome. This being the case then he will not be able to play for New Zealand against South Africa in the opening weekend off RWC 2019.
The severity of a suspension to Barrett is evident when considering that Brodie Retallick will not be fit for the match. As such New Zealand faces a massive second-row shortage and also a dilemma in whether to select a different player, thereby sacrificing Barrett from the RWC roster.
Australia’s dominant win involved the Wallabies outscoring the All Black by six tries to four. Crossing for two of the tries was right winger Reece Hodge.
The result of the match means that New Zealand has, for now, dropped from No1 to No2 in the world, trading places with Wales. In order for this to officially be the rankings on Monday the Welsh now require a win over fellow British side England tomorrow in London.
Australia, and Wales are pooled together in Group D of RWC 2019. They are to be joined by Fiji, Georgia, and Uruguay. Los Teros will face Australia in Oita on Saturday October 05; and Wales in Kumamoto on Sunday October 13.
SCORING
AUSTRALIA 47
Tries – R. Hodge 2 (10′, 69′), L. Salakaia-Loto (46′), N. White (49′), M. Koroibete (62′), K. Beale (79′)
Cons – C. Leali’ifano 2/4 (11′, 63′), M. To’omua 2/2 (70′, 80′)
Pens – C. Leali’ifano 3/3 (7′, 28′, 40′)
NEW ZEALAND 26
Tries – A. Lienert-Brown (13′), R. Ioane (17′), B. Barrett (55′), N. Laumape (71′)
Cons – R. Mo’unga 3/4 (14′, 56′, 72′)
Red cards – S. Barrett (39′)
TEAMS
AUSTRALIA
1 Scott Sio (17 James Slipper 64′), 2 Tolu Latu (16 Folau Fainga’a 64′), 3 Allan Ala’alatoa (18 Taniela Tupou 56′), 4 Izack Rodda (20 Luke Jones 76′), 5 Rory Arnold (19 Adam Coleman 56′), 6 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 7 Michael Hooper (capt.), 8 Isi Naisarani, 9 Nic White (21 Will Genia 69′), 10 Christian Leali’ifano (22 Matt To’omua 64′), 11 Marika Koroibete, 12 Samu Kerevi (23 Tom Banks 71′), 13 James O’Connor, 14 Reece Hodge, 15 Kurtley Beale
NEW ZEALAND
1 Joe Moody (17 Atunaisa Moli 50′), 2 Dane Coles (16 Codie Taylor 56′), 3 Owen Franks (18 Angus Ta’avao 50′), 4 Scott Barrett, 5 Sam Whitelock (20 Matt Todd 71′), 6 Ardie Savea, 7 Sam Cane (19 Patrick Tu’ipulotu 50′), 8 Kieran Read (capt.), 9 Aaron Smith (21 TJ Perenara 62′), 10 Richie Mo’unga, 11 Rieko Ioane, 12 Anton Lienert-Brown, 13 Jack Goodhue (22 Ngani Laumape 19′), 14 Ben Smith (23 George Bridge 64′), 15 Beauden Barrett
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Jérôme Garcès (FFR)
Assistants: Jaco Peyper (SARU) & Shuhei Kubo (JRFU)
TMO: Marius Jonker (SARU)
