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All Blacks Complete Series Sweep over Australia to Extend Record Bledisloe Cup Dominance The New Zealand All Blacks cemented their historic hold over the Wallabies on Saturday, securing a comprehensive series sweep to retain the Bledisloe Cup for the 23rd consecutive year. The All Blacks defeated Australia 28–14 in a physical encounter at Optus Stadium in Perth, Western Australia, which doubled as the final round of the 2025 Rugby Championship. The victory, secured in wet conditions, marked New Zealand's eleventh successive test win against their trans-Tasman rivals, extending one of the most remarkable periods of dominance in international rugby history. While the Bledisloe Cup was already secured in the first test in Auckland a week prior, the decisive win in Perth ensured the Wallabies concluded their Rugby Championship campaign without a single victory over their neighbours in the two-match series. The result underscores the ongoing challenge facing Australian rugby as they search for a formula to break the two-decade-long drought in the fierce rivalry. The second fixture of the 2025 Bledisloe Cup was a gritty affair played out under persistent rain, demanding accuracy and resilience from both sides. New Zealand established a critical advantage in the first half through a combination of relentless defensive pressure and potent strike plays. Following an early exchange of penalties, the All Blacks crossed first through wing Leroy Carter. The key momentum shift occurred late in the half when centre Quinn Tupaea delivered two quick-fire tries, exploiting gaps in the Wallabies' defence to propel the visitors into a commanding 17–9 lead at the break.
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Tupaea's clinical finishing highlighted the All Blacks' ability to convert pressure into points, a hallmark of their game. Australia, however, showed flashes of the fighting spirit their new coaching staff is attempting to instill. Despite being unable to sustain prolonged periods of territorial advantage, they mounted several threatening attacks in the second half. A strong period saw the Wallabies close the gap to just six points following a try from Len Ikitau, offering a brief hope of a comeback in front of their home crowd. Ultimately, the relentless pressure applied by the All Blacks’ forward pack and the consistent goal-kicking of Damian McKenzie kept the Wallabies at arm's length. Prop George Bower scored a final, late try to seal the 28–14 victory and secure the Bledisloe sweep, completing a performance Head Coach Scott Robertson described as "professional" given the challenging conditions. The context of this defeat is significant for Australian rugby, which continues to struggle to overcome the psychological and physical barrier posed by the All Blacks. The 23-year streak of New Zealand holding the Bledisloe Cup now spans several generations of Wallabies players and coaching regimes. The appointment of former All Blacks assistant Joe Schmidt as head coach was viewed as a strategic move to leverage New Zealand expertise to dismantle this dominance.
While the Wallabies have shown improved fight in phases—particularly their second-half resurgence in the first test at Eden Park—the consistent inability to convert pressure into a winning result remains a central concern. Discipline has been a persistent issue, with the Wallabies conceding a high penalty count in both matches, frequently relieving pressure the All Blacks were under. The final match in Perth also marked an emotional occasion for veteran Wallabies prop James Slipper, who earned his 151st and final cap before retirement. Playing in the final Rugby Championship match of his career, Slipper's farewell amplified the desire within the Australian camp to deliver a victorious performance. The post-match environment reflected mixed emotions: pride for Slipper’s commitment, but profound disappointment at the ultimate result. Before the deciding fixture, All Blacks Head Coach Scott Robertson offered insight into his team’s mindset, acknowledging the tenacity of their opponents. "We saw how competitive and determined the Wallabies were in Auckland last weekend, staying in the fight right to the end," Robertson was reported as saying. "We expect another tough contest this Saturday. We have picked a 23 to go toe-to-toe with a quality Australian team.
" This sentiment highlights that, despite the sustained period of dominance, New Zealand views the rivalry as being tested by the structural changes within the Wallabies setup. An independent analysis from former international player and television pundit, Sir John Kirwan, reflected on the state of the rivalry. "What you are seeing now is New Zealand’s ability to win ugly when necessary. The Wallabies are tactically sound under Schmidt, but they still lack the clinical accuracy and depth in attack that the All Blacks can produce," he observed. "Until Australia can consistently turn that second-half fight into a full 80-minute performance, particularly tightening up the breakdown discipline, the silverware will likely stay on the other side of the Tasman. " Looking ahead, the successful Bledisloe Cup defense provides the All Blacks with significant momentum as they navigate the latter stages of the Rugby Championship and prepare for their end-of-year tour. For Australia, the focus must shift rapidly to addressing their set-piece inconsistencies and improving discipline, particularly at the ruck, where they conceded crucial penalties. While the drought continues, the competitive nature of the first Bledisloe test suggests the gap may be narrowing, but the 2025 clean sweep reinforces that the All Blacks remain the benchmark for trans-Tasman supremacy heading into the next international cycle.
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