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The Wallabies were again left lamenting a sluggish opening and basic errors as the All Blacks hoisted the Bledisloe Cup for yet another year at Eden Park.
New Zealand weren’t flashy, but it was an assured performance. The All Blacks imposed themselves early, absorbed Australia’s fightback, and found the key moments to break the game open when it counted. Discipline, depth and game management made the difference. The Wallabies made them sweat but failed to take their chances, letting the All Blacks off the hook.
As ever, New Zealand’s composure under pressure proved decisive. Every half-chance was punished, and they closed the contest out with authority on home turf. For the Wallabies, the question is how to take the next step after a promising 2025 that still sees The Rugby Championship title slipping away.
Slow Starts Becoming a Habit
It has been a theme all year: the Wallabies don’t switch on until 20 minutes in. Given all their narrow finishes, fans are left to wonder how different results might look if Australia had been sharp from the opening whistle.
This can’t just be press-conference lip service anymore. The numbers don’t lie: the Wallabies win less than 25 percent of their matches when trailing at half-time.
Questionable Calls
Referee Andrea Piardi came under fire for a string of questionable calls, particularly in the second half when the Wallabies couldn’t buy a ruck penalty. It culminated with Harry Potter yellow-carded despite seeming to have all rights to the ball. Contrast that with the All Blacks forwards, who were rewarded by simply getting hands in the ruck, it was clear the Wallabies were getting frustrated. Still, it was Australia’s inability to adapt to the flow of the game that truly cost them.
Even when momentum swung their way, the Wallabies failed to convert. James O’Connor missed touch from simple penalties at critical moments, handing the ball straight back. Against the All Blacks, that’s game over.
Discipline Slipping Again
Early in 2025, the Wallabies were praised for the best discipline from an Australian side in a decade. But as the season has worn on, bad habits have crept back in. This test underlined the issue, with Australia conceding almost double the penalties of the All Blacks.
Discipline wins games, and too many cheap infringements gave New Zealand easy red-zone entries.
Injury Toll Mounts
Again in the lead up to the opening of the Bledisloe Cup series, one of the most important test matches on the calendar, Valetini and Andrew Kellaway were both ruled out with calf issues.
Training park mishaps have become far too regular in Wallabies camp. As Schmidt builds depth and contends with the availability of players plying their trade for European clubs, the team can’t afford to lose any more players to seemingly avoidable injuries.