New Zealand v Australia LIVE: Latest score and updates from Rugby Championship clash in Wellington

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‘A win is really important’ – Schmidt kicks off new Wallabies era with a bang

New Zealand face Australia in Wellington on Saturday morning in the final match of both sides’ 2024 Rugby Championship campaign, with kick-off at 8.05am BST.

The All Blacks fought off a late Australian comeback in Sydney last week after being reduced to 13 men, with early tries from Will Jordan, Rieko Ioane and Caleb Clarke enough to help seal a 31-28 win. It means that New Zealand have retained the Bledisloe Cup once more, with the Wallabies travelling across the Tasman looking to immediately avenge that defeat.

The All Blacks face off against Australia in the Rugby Championship
The All Blacks face off against Australia in the Rugby Championship (AFP via Getty Images)

Both sides are simply playing for pride this weekend as they sit third and fourth respectively in the Rugby Championship table, with both unable to win the tournament. But a fierce rugby rivalry is unlikely to be dimmed by those circumstances as each eyes a strong finish to a mixed campaign.

Follow all the action from the Rugby Championship clash in our live blog below:

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PENALTY! New Zealand 5-10 AUSTRALIA (Noah Lolesio, 19 minutes)

And Noah Lolesio is on the money as Australia extend their advantage.

Harry Latham-Coyle28 September 2024 08:26

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New Zealand 5-7 Australia, 18 minutes

But that’s a coach-killer from the All Blacks. Straight from the restart, a bionic Taniela Tupou somehow latches over the top of a ruck and draws a penalty for Australia. This is remarkable from Tupou, who looked to be done for the day with that knee issue inside 60 seconds.

This time, Australia will kick for goal.

Harry Latham-Coyle28 September 2024 08:26

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TRY! NEW ZEALAND 5-7 Australia (Sevu Reece, 16 minutes)

What a way to answer! Vintage All Blacks!

Ardie Savea poaches posession just inside his own half, and then it is all about the work of his back row chum Wallace Sititi. We haven’t seen too much of the young blindside as a pure carrier in his breakthrough campaign but he shows off some of the skills that so caught the eye for the Chiefs in Super Rugby, a vicious in-to-out move breaking the ankles of poor Matt Faessler, exposed in a bit of space.

Through a gap Sititi rushes with Anton Lienert-Brown providing good support. Lienert-Brown has a pick of two men outside him and elects for the quicker of them – Sevu Reece has enough toe to outrun Len Ikitau to the corner.

Harry Latham-Coyle28 September 2024 08:23

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New Zealand 0-7 Australia, 14 minutes

A midfield misfire ends that Australian adventure and the All Blacks show off their attacking range for the first time, testing the edges with Beauden Barrett and Will Jordan alternating at first receiver. But Fraser McReight shows his breakdown expertise, timing his contest perfectly after a tough tackle from captain Harry Wilson grants the openside the ruck carrion he loves to feast upon.

Harry Latham-Coyle28 September 2024 08:22

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New Zealand 0-7 Australia, 11 minutes

All the while, Taniela Tupou has somehow managed to lumber on, the tighthead again performing his duties admirably at the first New Zealand scrum. Will Jordan’s kick travels out of play before wing Caleb Clarke can reel it in.

And the All Blacks are on the wrong side of the officials in these early skirmishes. Sam Cane is slightly harshly penalised having appeared to have got his jackal spot on, grating the Wallabies another chance to enter New Zealand territory.

(Getty Images)

Harry Latham-Coyle28 September 2024 08:20

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New Zealand 0-7 Australia, 9 minutes

Nearly something sensational! Boy, are Australia up for it or what? Insipid in the first quarter a week ago, they are running everything here, going from inside their own 22 and cutting New Zealand open. Only an errant, forward pass from Noah Lolesio prevents a promising attack from continuing from coast to coast.

Harry Latham-Coyle28 September 2024 08:17

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TRY! New Zealand 0-7 AUSTRALIA (Fraser McReight, 8 minutes)

And there it is! Fraser McReight finds a sliver of space to lunge to the line!

The pressure had built and built but it took the clever openside to find the score. McReight had looked a little upright in the carry but he used his deceptive strength to shake his limbs free, enabling him to find a gap between All Black limbs to touch down. Noah Lolesio converts impressively from the left – what a start from the Wallabies!

Harry Latham-Coyle28 September 2024 08:15

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New Zealand 0-0 Australia, 7 minutes

A strong one-on-one tackle from Caleb Clarke and back to the penalty again they come. This time, Australia tap and go quickly as they seek to convert their early dominance into a try.

Harry Latham-Coyle28 September 2024 08:14

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New Zealand 0-0 Australia, 6 minutes

Matt Faessler hits the mark and into the drive Australia launch. It runs aground, but a darting Faessler keeps the move alive. Another penalty advantage is coming.

Harry Latham-Coyle28 September 2024 08:13

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New Zealand 0-0 Australia, 5 minutes

Ardie Savea stalls some momentum with a Herculean heave of a carrier back towards the 22-metre line, and Nika Amashukeli brings the players back for the penalty. Corner or posts? The Wallabies opt for the aggressive choice, turning down points and kicking for a five-metre lineout.

Harry Latham-Coyle28 September 2024 08:12



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