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The Bledisloe Cup remained in New Zealand's grasp for another season, however Australia's national team entered the Perth field with several goals. It marked experienced forward James Slipper's last international following an illustrious 15-year career comprising over 150 games. The Rugby Championship remained attainable, and they aimed to end a lengthy losing streak against New Zealand to snap. Most importantly, despite a mixed record from nine, the Australians were desperate to reassure supporters they were a resurgent as a global rugby force.

Strong Opening for Wallabies

Through large parts of the weekend's match, the Wallabies appeared set to end a 1,792 day winless streak after last beating New Zealand. They were tactical innovation, accurate with the boot, and unleashed extended periods of blistering offense. However, a mix of misfortune, ill-discipline, and errors cost them as Australia succumbed to a 14-point loss, extending their losing streak against New Zealand to 11 Tests over four years.

Throughout the tournament Tests, Australia have started poorly and stormed home. On Saturday night, they started superbly, with fast hands and bold tactics disrupting the All Blacks from the outset enabling flyhalf Tane Edmed to kick an early advantage. However, after key lock Will Skelton secured possession and celebrated with a shove, the official controversially reversed the decision. This incident foreshadowed for the night.

Momentum Shifts

Australia’s lead lasted mere seconds when Nick Frost dropped the restart allowing the black mass swarmed to score through Leroy Carter from the resulting drive. An Edmed penalty made it 7-6, but Australia weren’t content to rely on penalties to victory. Rather, they moved the ball and flicked, with attacking waves sent Allan Alaalatoa over the line. But again, the official found fault, yellow-carding a flanker for a dangerous tackle disallowing the score.

The situation worsened after star player the captain failed an HIA and did not return. Nevertheless, the Wallabies kept coming, debutant the flyer challenging the defense on offense and a center dominating the All Black runners when defending. Despite trialling a seventh halves combination in Edmed and Jake Gordon, the offensive play was cohesive and creative. Only simple errors due to rain halted progress.

Deciding Factors

Misfortune struck again as an All Black head-butted a loose ball for Quinn Tupaea to tow ahead for a try. A minute later, a quick tap and big fend gave Tupaea a second try, and were it not for errant goalkicking by Damian McKenzie saving a blown-out scoreline. This demonstrated typical shrewdness and opportunism from New Zealand so that, Australia, despite dominating the period, trailed by eight points at the break.

This was a crucial fixture for rugby union. Amid competition firmly established locally and a new NRL side entering the NRL competition, the sport needed to give the 60,000-strong crowd in attendance a show. Perth had been a successful venue for Australia, having won in ten outings at this stadium (including a record win over New Zealand, a 47-26 win versus the All Blacks three years prior). Was a comeback possible?

Second Half Push

With worsening weather in the second half, coach Joe Schmidt introduced substitutes to handle the conditions. The veteran exited his final match replaced by a prop alongside No 8 Rob Valetini. They reinforced the attack and for 20 minutes the Wallabies applied pressure on defense, overcoming a further sin-binning to Len Ikitau to dominate possession. But for all their attack, each assault stalled.

But this Wallabies side shows courage. Previous rallies in recent months have shocked England, Fiji, the British & Irish Lions, South Africa and Argentina. So when persistent offense sent a center across the line for 20-14 with 14 minutes to go, supporters dared to dream. But McKenzie cleared the Kiwis out of striking range before late forward-powered score sealed a fifth straight winless series for the men in gold.

After the Game Comments

Wallabies winger a young star said his side must enhance their discipline during the upcoming international travels starting on 25 October abroad. “A lot of unforced mistakes must be to get out of our play. That’s what international rugby, it’s the best of the best, so you can’t be unacceptable. If you want the world's top side globally you’ve got to be optimal at every aspect of the game.”