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New Zealand Extend Record Win Streak Over Australia, Solidifying Bledisloe Supremacy Perth, Australia – The New Zealand All Blacks have extended their dominant hold on the trans-Tasman rivalry, securing a record 11th consecutive victory over the Wallabies with a gritty 28-14 win in Perth on Saturday. The result not only provided a strong finish to their Rugby Championship campaign but also underscored the persistent gulf in quality between the two nations ahead of the next international season. The match, played in challenging, wet conditions at Optus Stadium, confirmed the All Blacks’ retention of the Bledisloe Cup for the 23rd successive year, a remarkable run dating back to 2003. While New Zealand’s performance was not without error, their clinical efficiency in punishing Australian mistakes and strong forward momentum ultimately proved decisive, ensuring they finished the Rugby Championship level on competition points with eventual title winners South Africa, who secured the overall trophy on points differential. Grinding Victory in Greasy Conditions The final Test of the Rugby Championship offered the Wallabies a last opportunity to halt the unprecedented losing streak against their arch-rivals, but New Zealand established a crucial 17-9 lead by the half-time break. Centre Quinn Tupaea was instrumental in the early dominance, crossing the line twice in quick succession to exploit space created by the All Blacks’ patient attack. The game was marked by persistent rain and a significant penalty count, with referee Matthew Carley blowing 28 penalties across the eighty minutes, disrupting the flow and rhythm of the contest for both sides. The physicality peaked early when Wallabies lock Will Skelton was forced off after just 15 minutes due to a head injury, compounding the challenges faced by the Australian pack. Despite the setbacks, including two separate yellow cards during the match, the Wallabies showed commendable resilience.
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They fought back into contention in the second half when centre Len Ikitau crossed for the team’s sole try, narrowing the deficit to just six points at 20-14. However, New Zealand's ability to maintain composure and territory under pressure allowed them to pull away in the final ten minutes, capped by a late, bonus-point try from replacement prop George Bower. The Widening Gap: An 11-Match Chasm The 11-match winning streak represents a new low point in the rivalry for the Australian team, surpassing the 10 consecutive defeats suffered between 2008 and 2010. While every Test against the All Blacks carries significance, the ongoing inability to win the two-match Bledisloe series has fostered a sense of deep frustration within Australian rugby circles. The rivalry, which traditionally serves as a litmus test for both nations' Rugby World Cup ambitions, has become increasingly one-sided in the professional era. The All Blacks now lead the overall ledger substantially, underscoring their consistent management of player development and tactical evolution compared to their trans-Tasman opponents. Reflecting the intensity of the competition, All Blacks coach Scott Robertson praised his side’s mental fortitude. “It wasn't the most entertaining footy at times, but it was built on a lot of shoulders and care,” Robertson said post-match, acknowledging the struggle against the elements and the determined Wallabies defence. “It was a gritty performance that got a bit dirty in the rain, but the boys showed the grit to stay in the match.
” Australian Scrutiny and Emotional Farewell For the Wallabies, the defeat was doubly significant as it marked the 151st and final Test appearance for veteran prop James Slipper, one of the team’s most respected and enduring figures. His farewell was overshadowed by the result, which prompted candid assessments from the Australian camp regarding their performance standards. Wallabies captain Harry Wilson bristled when asked if the team was at least competitive, insisting, "We're not out to be competitive, mate, we're here to win. ” The sentiment was echoed by others, with young Wallaby Max Jorgensen highlighting fundamental issues: “A lot of silly errors that we need to get out of our game. You can’t be making those mistakes. If you want to be the best team in the world you’ve got to be at your best at every aspect of the game. ” The constant pressure placed on the Wallabies by the All Blacks—evident in statistics showing New Zealand’s superiority in territory, possession, and defence—forced the home side into a high error rate, particularly at the breakdown and in the set-piece. This structural fragility remains the primary concern for Australian officials as they look to build consistency. Historical Weight and Future Outlook Historically, the Bledisloe Cup stands as one of the most prestigious trophies in world rugby, a symbol of sporting competition and cultural identity for both countries.
The two-Test annual series remains a crucial financial component for both Rugby Australia and New Zealand Rugby, often commanding sell-out crowds in major global venues. However, the period of Australian dominance between 1998 and 2002, when they last held the cup, is now a distant memory. Analysts suggest that until Australia can address its high staff turnover and player depth issues, the current imbalance is likely to persist. The current New Zealand team, under new leadership, appears to have found stability following a challenging middle period in the Rugby Championship, concluding their southern hemisphere duties on a positive note. The coming months will see both teams turn their focus to the end-of-year tours in the northern hemisphere. For the All Blacks, it is an opportunity to fine-tune their tactics and test new combinations. For the Wallabies, the tour offers a vital opportunity to regroup, absorb the lessons of the record-breaking streak, and demonstrate the necessary structural improvements required to close the persistent gap on their closest, and most challenging, rival.
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