Winger Caleb Clarke produced a stunning performance of power running in his first Test start to provide some much needed attacking thrust as New Zealand beat Australia 27-7 in their second Bledisloe Cup Test at Eden Park in Auckland yesterday.
Clarke’s ability to break tackles was helped by a far better
performance from the All Blacks forwards, who had been criticised for a lack of intensity last week.
The Wallabies put the All Blacks under enormous early pressure before the home side started winning collisions and increased the pace of the game and began to break tackles, with fullback Jordie Barrett and Clarke making several strong runs.
NZ fylhalf Richie Mo’unga slotted a 19th-minute penalty as the territorial pressure told before scrumhalf Aaron Smith scored a try four minutes later from an attacking scrum.
Mo’unga converted to give the All Blacks a 10-0 advantage before Marika Koroibete crossed for the Aussies after a turnover and James O’Connor’s conversion narrowed the gap to 10-7.
Clarke then was the catalyst for two tries within the space of three second-half minutes to Beauden Barrett and Ardie Savea with two powerful runs, the second where he bounced out of several tackles, to give the home side a 20-7 lead.
Sam Cane then finished off a sweeping movement to give them a 27-7 lead that ended any serious Australian challenge.
All Blacks – Tries: Aaron Smith, Jordie Barrett, Ardie Savea and Sam Cane; Conversions: Richie Mo’unga (2); Penalty: Mo’unga.
Wallabies – Try: Marika Koroibete; Conversion: James O’Connor.