Powerhouse performances from Joe Schmidt’s bench and back row highlighted a significantly-improved Wallabies effort in a three-point loss to the All Blacks in Sydney.
The 31-28 loss saw the Bledisloe headed back to New Zealand for another year – a climax-killing two-match series for a trophy seems a particularly daft situation for any sport in the modern era – but there were some signs of life after a brutal opening to the game.
“It was a really gritty performance and certainly shows some promise,” said Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt.
The Wallabies’ defence was a mess as the All Blacks racked up 28 points in 25 minutes but this was a tale of second-half resolve, led by some decent performances.
The All Blacks did, however, win without being at their best, and sacrificing a few tries through carelessness.
So who starred and who struggled in Bledisloe I?
Diamonds
Harry Wilson is developing into a commanding Wallabies captain – and might just have secured the job on a long-term basis.
He was pushing right to the end – and arguing his team’s cause with the English referee Karl Dickson. There was a team-high 16 carries and a game-high 22 tackles along with two big second-half plays.
He was part of the three-man gang that somehow held Ardie Savea up over the line, then pilfered brilliantly as the All Blacks threatened the Wallaby line, popping off a basketball-style pass from which Australia cleared their lines.
Wallaby great Michael Hooper noted the excellence of the backrow of Wilson, Fraser McReight and Rob Valetini, and replacement Langi Gleeson, who had his best cameo in a Wallabies jersey, when interviewing Schmidt post-game.
Langi Gleeson of the Australian Wallabies carries the ball forward during The Rugby Championship & Bledisloe Cup match between Australia Wallabies and New Zealand All Blacks at Accor Stadium on September 21, 2024 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
“The balance with your 8, 7 and 6 today, Fraser coming back to that team was fantastic,” said Hoops. “I thought they added in their contribution in defence, attack was really, really good. And then Langi coming off the bench. What are you asking from your back row there today?”
Schmidt replied: “We’re trying to build them into carriers. And I thought Wilso was really good carrying tonight. Bobby obviously gives us advantage line and Langi does the same. He’s powerful.
“Whereas Fraser is our connector. And he connected really well, I thought. He’s a little bit short on match time and Carlo [Tizzano] had done a great job for us. So it wasn’t an easy decision, really, with Carlo having done so well. But I thought Fraser grew into the game and the longer the game went, I felt the better he got. He’s got a massive engine.”
Gleeson has had a rollercoaster international career but impressed All Blacks legend Andrew Mehrtens, who also called out the powerful running of Luhkan Salakaia-Loto when he replaced Nick Frost.
“I’d love to see him in some space, or a bit more of a one-on. He’s strong in the carry, taking out two or three defenders, just bludgeoning away near the ruck. But seeing him out in some space would be a sight,” said Mehrtens of Gleeson.
“Salakaia-Loto is not going to take a backward step to anyone. The physicality of Langi Gleeson, they’re not scared of the contact.”
Brandon Paenga-Amosa also shone in his first Test appearance in three years having returned from Montpellier earlier this year.
He made a few damaging breaks, as did LSL.
Valetini lived up to his usual high standards as well, and his desperation tackle on Damian McKenzie in the second half forced a forward pass that saw a spectacular All Blacks try ruled out.
In the backs, Tom Wright was outstanding, crossing for a try and having a game-high 131 running metres off 13 carries – well ahead of the next highest – Will Jordan with 87.
Rocks
The Wallabies first half defensive failing was shocking and collective.
It was summed up at halftime by Wallabies forwards coach Mike Cron in his usual BS free way.
“We’ve just got to get bloody harder on D and a bit quicker into position and come on up,” said Cron. “We’re just letting them have far too much bloody room for their skill level. They’re not picking us off, so we’ve just got to get up and get in their face a hell of a lot better in the second half.”
It was two different performances, either side of oranges, from the men in gold.
Hunter Paisami and Len Ikitau struggled to find their combination early and Andrew Kellaway made a late error, from a loose Gleeson pass that left Schmidt ruing.
“In the second half, we put a few things together. Yes, it was a knock-on by Kells, but I would have been pretty happy if they could have just overlooked that. Let that one go,” Schmidt joked.
But the midfielders improved over the course of the game and Tate McDermott’s energy was an upgrade on Nic White as the tables were turned on the backpedalling All Blacks.
Nick Frost was not at his best and the intensity and running power went up when LSL entered the contest.
“I thought one of the standout areas in Santa Fe was our lineout,” said Schmidt. “And today it was a much tougher day at the office as far as the lineout was concerned. Things tend to fluctuate.
The questions over Marika Korobiete’s form keep coming. The Japan-based winger dropped his first ball as Australia’s backs spread it wide. He still has the physicality Schmidt covets, but he looks a shadow of the destructive ball runner of the past.
What had threatened to be another record rout two weeks after the 67-27 flogging in Santa Fe, ended with reputations somewhat restored, especially for the finishers.
“He’s got to be happy with his second half, Joe Schmidt,”said former Wallaby Morgan Turinui.
“Let’s not forget, 28-7 at one stage in that first half. It could have been anything this match. Over 68,000 fans, lots of gold. It feels like an early 2000s Bledisloe [game] but it didn’t look that way early on.”