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New Zealand All Blacks Clinch 23rd Straight Title as Australia's Challenge Falters: Analysing the Bledisloe Cup Live Score New Zealand All Blacks 28 – 14 Australia Wallabies The New Zealand All Blacks have successfully defended the Bledisloe Cup for the 23rd consecutive year following a commanding 28-14 victory over the Australia Wallabies in the second and decisive Test match held at Optus Stadium in Perth. The result not only sealed the 2-0 series clean sweep for the visitors but also marked an 11th consecutive Test win for New Zealand against their trans-Tasman rivals, extending an already historic dominance in the competition. The match, which served as the conclusion of the 2025 Bledisloe series—part of the wider Rugby Championship—was played in front of a capacity crowd amid challenging, wet conditions. Australia showed early promise, seizing an initial lead, but a clinical period of attack from the All Blacks just before half-time proved to be the turning point, creating a gap the Wallabies could not bridge in the second period. Decisive First Half Tries and Tactical Kicking The Wallabies, seeking to break their 23-year drought, were the first to put points on the board through a penalty goal from fly-half Tane Edmed, rewarding early forward pressure. The contest quickly settled into a fierce breakdown battle characterised by high physicality and errors induced by the slick surface. New Zealand, however, responded swiftly, crossing for the game’s first try via Leroy Carter, quickly converting the effort to take the lead. Despite facing two yellow cards during the match—one for Tom Hooper in the first half and one for Len Ikitau early in the second—the Wallabies managed to stay in contact, largely through Edmed’s accurate goal-kicking. The defining passage of play came towards the end of the first half, orchestrated by the All Blacks’ dynamic midfield. Centre Quinn Tupaea, who would later be named Player of the Match, scored a quick-fire double in the 33rd and 35th minutes.
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These tries converted a narrow contest into a substantial half-time lead of 17-9, providing New Zealand with a crucial psychological and numerical advantage heading into the break. In the second half, the strategic focus shifted to discipline and territory. Both sides grappled with handling errors as the rain intensified. The All Blacks effectively managed the lead through the boot of replacement Damian McKenzie, whose penalty goals in the 62nd and 70th minutes extended the margin beyond a converted try, suffocating any sustained Wallaby momentum. A late converted try by replacement prop George Bower in the 80th minute sealed the final score at 28-14. The Weight of History: A 23-Year Dominance The Bledisloe Cup, first donated by Governor-General of New Zealand Lord Bledisloe in the 1930s, remains one of the most prestigious trophies in international rugby. Its annual contestation underscores the fierce trans-Tasman rivalry, yet the results of the modern era consistently demonstrate the New Zealand side's superiority. The retention of the trophy for the 23rd consecutive season is a stark statistical anomaly in high-level international sport. Australia last held the cup in 2002. This prolonged dominance highlights the structural and development differences between the two nations' rugby systems.
Rugby analyst and former international player, Elizabeth Vano, commented on the significance of the achievement for the All Blacks programme. “This is not just about one game; it’s about a culture of sustained high performance,” Vano told BBC Sport. “Even when the Wallabies show incredible fight—as they did in stages of both Tests this year—the All Blacks find the clinical execution, often from their bench, to close out a contest. That ruthlessness is why this streak persists. ” Farewell to a Wallaby Great The contest also held a notable emotional weight for the Australian side as it marked the final Test appearance for Wallabies legend James Slipper. The veteran prop, playing his 151st Test match, departed the field early in the second half to a rousing reception from the Perth crowd. While Slipper’s commitment was celebrated, his farewell match underscored the current challenges facing the Australian team. Despite flashes of brilliance, particularly a strong defensive effort around the breakdown led by flanker Fraser McReight, the Wallabies struggled with the consistency of their set-piece. Lineout stability, in particular, proved costly at crucial moments when the team needed possession to launch attacks. Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt acknowledged the historical task facing his squad after the match.
“We saw periods of intensity that were world-class, but against a team like the All Blacks, periods are not enough; you need 80 minutes of perfection,” Schmidt said in the post-match press conference. “We are building towards that consistency. The challenge is immense, but the core foundation of character is there. We must now turn our focus to tightening our execution in high-pressure phases. ” The victory not only retains the Bledisloe Cup but also keeps the All Blacks in contention for the overall Rugby Championship title, depending on the results of the final round of matches. For New Zealand, the win provides a measure of stability and confidence as the team looks ahead to the remainder of the season and preparations for next year's global calendar. Conversely, for the Wallabies, the defeat, while expected by some given the history, renews pressure on the team to translate promising phases of play into definitive victories. The long wait for the Bledisloe Cup continues, demanding a renewed emphasis on discipline and set-piece strength before their next Test outing.
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