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Australia hosted New Zealand in Sydney this morning to open the 2018 Rugby Championship. an incredible second half display from the All Blacks saw them turning around a 6-5 halftime deficit to win 38-13.
The result underlines New Zealand as heavy tournament favorites for the Rugby Championship. Their second round match will be at home next Saturday against Australia. Both Argentina and South Africa will play each-other home-and-away today and next Saturday. From there they will prepare for the might of New Zealand.
The opening Rugby Championship match doubled for the Bledisloe Cup. The trophy is contested for on an annual basis between Australia and New Zealand. The Wallabies last won it in 2002.
Australian dominance from 1998-2002 saw New Zealand playing catch-up yet since then the All Blacks have demonstrated utter superiority. This included winning RWCs 2011 and 2015, both times defeating Australia en route to lifting the William Webb Ellis Cup.
In this morning’s match the Wallabies started well. Two penalties gave them a 6-0 lead and try opportunities presented themselves. Ultimately the only first half try went to New Zealand with Aaron Smith scoring an unconverted try.
In the second half the All Blacks were playing at an altogether different level. Debutant Jack Goodhue scored the opening try of the half. Soon thereafter Beauden Barrett punished a mistake committed by Dane Haylett-Petty. Brodie Retallick, and Waisele Naholo (2) also scored while Jack Maddocks went over for Australia’s one try of the match.
