All Blacks gain sweet revenge

By Mark Stevens
17/8/19

New Zealand returned to winning ways courtesy of an impressive 36-0 victory over Australia at Eden Park in Auckland.

The result was sweet revenge for the hosts, who suffered a humiliating defeat to the Wallabies in their corresponding fixture in Perth seven days ago, and they also retain the Bledisloe Cup for the 16th successive year.

As the scoreline suggests, the world champions were full value for this win as they dominated all facets of play and eventually outscored the Wallabies by five tries to none, with Richie Mo’unga, Aaron Smith, Sonny Bill Williams, Sevu Reece and George Bridge all crossing the whitewash.

Mo’unga also slotted three conversions and a penalty, and Beauden Barrett also succeeded with a two-pointer off the kicking tee.

Exeter Chiefs scrum-half Nic White - who was so influential for the Wallabies the week previous - played for 50 minutes before he was replaced by Will Genia.