Rugby Championship: New Zealand dismiss Australia to clinch tournament title
New Zealand out-scored Australia by five tries to two in a comprehensive victory at Eden Park; the All Blacks take the Rugby Championship title as the Springboks needed to secure a bonus point and beat Argentina by at least 39 points to overtake them
Last Updated: 24/09/22 9:51pm
New Zealand defended their Rugby Championship title after a 40-14 victory over Australia at Eden Park.
The All Blacks scored five tries to Australia's two and took advantage of poor discipline from the Wallabies, particularly in the first half.
Their comprehensive victory meant South Africa needed to secure a bonus point against Argentina and win by at least 39 points if they were to overhaul New Zealand at the top of the table. South Africa did beat Argentina in Durban but the 38-21 scoreline saw the All Blacks retain their title.
Australia, who trailed New Zealand 17-0 at half-time, played 20 of the first 40 minutes with only 13 players after Jed Holloway and David Porecki received yellow cards.
New Zealand's Will Jordan, captain Sam Whitelock, Codie Taylor and Samisoni Taukei'aho all crossed for tries, with a penalty try also adding to the All Blacks' tally at Eden Park.
All four teams in the Rugby Championship had gone into the final round with a mathematical chance of winning the title.
After Australia advanced on the Haka ahead of kick-off, they were unable to keep a lid on their emotions in the early stages. Instead, ill-discipline became a factor and one that would remain prominent throughout the first half.
Lock Holloway was the first to receive a yellow card after two minutes following a lifting cleanout on All Blacks flanker Dalton Papalii.
The Wallabies did work hard to keep New Zealand scoreless in Holloway's absence, although their hosts maintained the pressure with a series of scrums and a lineout within five metres of their line.
After New Zealand's sustained pressure continued alongside Australia's infringements, the home team's first points arrived via the boot of Richie Mo'unga on the 20-minute mark and their first try from Jordan followed quickly after.
The winger's 21st try in 21 Tests was a result of excellent handling and quick distribution of ball, with Jordan using his pace to produce a lovely outside arching run and cross out wide.
With the pressure continuing, Australia's Porecki pulled down an advancing All Blacks maul. His action produced a penalty try for New Zealand and the Wallabies' forward was sent to the bin for 10 minutes.
Again, Australia managed to keep New Zealand scoreless while they were down to 14 men and almost got on the board themselves, only for Marika Koroibete's foot to have strayed into touch before he grounded the ball down the left.
At 17-0 down, the Wallabies knew they still had a chance of coming back after the interval, having done so from 31-13 down during the Melbourne Test, but the All Blacks shut the door early in the second half.
Captain Whitelock crashed over for his seventh try in his 140th Test match and, despite a number of reviews, was deemed to have grounded the ball to set his team back on their way.
New Zealand's set-piece dominance brought about their fourth try. Codie Taylor dotted down after a purposeful driving maul and that brought about a 32-0 lead after 55 minutes.
The Wallabies did score consolation tries through replacements Folau Fainga'a and Jordan Petaia but never looked like mounting a real comeback to end their 36-year winless streak against New Zealand at Eden Park.
Whitelock: Eden Park is amazing
"Eden Park is an amazing place to play and thank you for everyone coming out and supporting us at home, it means so much to hear the whole crowd getting behind us," Whitelock said after the contest.
"I'm really, really happy with our defence. Defence comes down to effort and the boys were working hard to get up off the ground.
"We allowed them back into the game though, pretty frustrating letting them score. There are always things to work on.
"It's great to win a couple of close ones but really nice to put some good moments on moments there. That's what we've been trying to do the whole time, so it's really nice when it does happen."