Match Report: All Blacks v Wallabies | Bledisloe Cup Game One
A feast of fast ruck ball, superior box-kick chasing, and the ability to snuff out the few dangerous assaults the Wallabies mustered carried the All Blacks to a thumping 50–19 win that retained the Bledisloe Cup and extended their run of Eden Park victories to 54 since 1995.
Needing to stop their three-game losing run against South Africa, the All Blacks turned it on in a powerful second half that all but shut the Australians out.
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Flanker Peter Lakai and No.8 Wallace Sititi's work in the loose and in support play was matched by an outstanding display from blindside flanker Tupou Vaa’i. A constant support player, and superb in securing kicks ahead, he gave the side genuine impetus time after time.
Watch Highlights: All Blacks v Wallabies | Bledisloe Cup | Game 1, 2026
So too did returning lock Scott Barrett, in his 90th Test. He was relentless in charging into the Wallaby defenders and fully vindicated the selectors' recall. He brought experience that demonstrated his value to the side.
Lock Josh Lord came back after early Australian disruption of the All Blacks’ lineout to add quality and help build the side's momentum.
First five-eighths Damian McKenzie proved himself consistently, and his speedy breaks frustrated Australia early.
His five-eighths partner, Jordie Barrett, was also ever present, chasing kicks ahead while he and centre Quinn Tupaea continue to build a meaningful midfield partnership.
But again, the ability of halfback Cam Roigard to make the right decisions at the right times was another factor in the win. His box kicks were precise, far better than rival Ryan Lonergan's.
Watch Mini Match: All Blacks v Wallabies | Bledisloe Cup | Game One, 2026
The All Blacks were rewarded thirty minutes from the end when the lineout maul came up trumps after lock Josh Lord’s take. Backs joined the maul to add momentum, and after hooker Codie Taylor was tackled short of the line, halfback Cam Roigard took his chance and scored around the base.
Four minutes later, the All Blacks pack was rampant, with destructive hand-to-hand work punching the ball forward, and Taylor found the final gap to charge and help extend the lead to 31-14.
That broke the Australian resolve, and while they picked up a late try from replacement hooker Josh Nasser, it was countered by a last-gasp try from winger Will Jordan after a backline passing error by Australia, which allowed Jordan to toe the ball ahead to bring up the half-century.
Early penalties conceded by Tupaea and captain Codie Taylor allowed Australia to apply early pressure through lineout mauls. After Lord was caught offside, Australia moved the ball with blind-side wing Max Jorgenson joining the line to create a gap, allowing fullback Tom Wright to ease through and open the scoring.
Beauden Barrett kicked the ball dead from the restart, but any advantage Australia might have had from the midfield scrum was negated when first five-eighths Ben Donaldson kicked the ball out on the full.
Roigard kicked into the box from the lineout, and, in changed form, chasing those kicks, the All Blacks secured the ball through Jordie Barrett; the ball was spun to McKenzie, who raced into a gap and split the Australians. When he needed to pass wide, Lakai was the man on the spot to secure the All Blacks’ try in response after 11 minutes.
Four minutes later, McKenzie found another gap and, this time linked with Sititi; after a series of rucks Vaa’i scored. Soon after, Jordan broke brilliantly through midfield, but he couldn’t find All Black hands out wide, and the ball went into touch. McKenzie lifted New Zealand to 17 points with a 33rd-minute penalty goal.
But three minutes before the break, Australia got back in touch after a lineout near the All Blacks’ 22m area; Donaldson took a gap and found No.8 Harry Wilson, perfectly placed in support and score handy to the posts, and Australia went to the break 14-17 down.
In the final analysis, this was an emphatic statement by the All Blacks and was a positive result for the style of rugby they are attempting to develop.
Match Score Sheet:
New Zealand: 50 (Peter Lakai, Tupuo Vaa’i, Cameron Roigard, Codie Taylor, Leroy Carter, Josh Moorby, Will Jordan tries; Damian McKenzie 6 con, pen) Australia: 19 (Tom Wright, Harry Wilson, Josh Nasser tries; Ryan Lonergan 2 con). HT: 17-14
