The Qantas Wallabies and New Zealand have played out a classic at Sky Stadium in Wellington with both sides playing themselves to standstill in a memorable 16-all draw.
The clock almost ticked over 90 minutes as the Wallabies and New Zealand went end-to-end in a heart-stopping final passage of play but both eventually had to share the honours in a pulsating Bledisloe Cup opener.
In wet and windy conditions in Wellington, the Wallabies dominated possession and territory in the opening half before All Blacks winger Jordie Barrett stung Australia on counter attack.
Barrett added another three points moments later as Australia’s lineout struggled in the blustery conditions and under intense All Blacks pressure.
The Wallabies forced their way back into the contest though, to narrow the margin to five points thanks to a penalty from James O’Connor, and that’s where the margin stayed at the half-time interval.
It was a titanic second-half with New Zealand scrumhalf Aaron Smith earning the first five points following a set-piece play off an All Blacks lineout before the Wallabies responded with a special of their own.
Australia took the ball off the top of the lineout before passing it through the hands to the left wing before an acrobatic Marika Koroibete finish in the corner pulled the Wallabies back into the contest.
Filipo Daugunu then stole a Test try on debut after a brilliant flick pass from Australia scrumhalf Nic White, to bring the sides level with 18 minutes left to play.
As the rain started to fall in Wellington, the Wallabies gradually earned field position and with seven minutes left, James O’Connor stepped up to put Australia in front by three points.
Jordie Barrett then pulled New Zealand level with just two minutes remaining and that’s where it stayed despite almost 10 minutes of play after the final siren.
The two sides now move north to Eden Park in Auckland for the second Bledisloe Cup Test on Sunday 18 October.
Tickets are on pre-sale for the third Bledisloe Cup Test at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium on Saturday 31 October.
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SCORERS
Qantas Wallabies 16 (Filipo Daugunu and Marika Koroibete tries; James O’Connor 2 pens)
New Zealand 16 (Jordie Barrett and Aaron Smith tries; Jordie Barrett 2 pens)
TEAMS
Wallabies: 1. James Slipper 2. Folau Fainga'a 3. Taniela Tupou 4. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto 5. Matt Philip 6. Harry Wilson 7. Michael Hooper 8. Pete Samu 9. Nic White 10. James O'Connor 11. Marika Koroibete 12. Matt To'omua 13. Hunter Paisami 14. Filipo Daugunu, 15. Tom Banks
Reserves: 16. Jordan Uelese 17. Scott Sio 18. Allan Alaalatoa 19. Rob Simmons 20. Rob Valetini 21. Jake Gordon 22. Noah Lolesio 23. Reece Hodge
All Blacks: 1. Joe Moody 2. Codie Taylor 3. Ofa Tuungafasi 4. Patrick Tuipulotu 5. Sam Whitelock 6. Shannon Frizell 7. Sam Cane (c) 8. Ardie Savea 9. Aaron Smith 10. Richie Mo'unga 11. George Bridge 12. Jack Goodhue 13. Rieko Ioane 14. Jordie Barrett 15. Damian McKenzie
Reserves: 16. Dane Coles 17. Karl Tu'inukuafe 18. Tyrel Lomax 19. Tupou Vaa'I 20. Hoskins Sotutu 21. TJ Perenara 22. Anton Lienert-Brown 23. Caleb Clarke
WALLABIES SUBSTITUTIONS
51 mins - Alaalatoa for Tupou, 59 mins - Uelese for Fainga’a, 59 mins- Sio for Slipper, 65 mins - Simmons for Wilson, 71 mins- Gordon for White, 74 mins - Hodge for Paisami
WALLABIES MATCH NOTES
Michael Hooper – 100 Test caps
Filipo Daugunu Test debut – Wallaby #931
Hunter Paisami Test debut – Wallaby #932
Harry Wilson Test debut – Wallaby #933
