Wallabies losing streak nears two decades and the gap has never been wider

Wallabies losing streak nears two decades and the gap has never been wider

By Semi Turaga
Sunday 15/08/2021
[Photo: Getty Image]

It’s been 19 years since the Wallabies last won the Bledisloe Cup and now they have never been further from breaking the drought.

That’s the harsh reality facing Rugby Australia and Wallabies coach Dave Rennie after conceding more points at Eden Park than any team in Australian rugby history last night.

Australia’s Bledisloe Cup drought will continue for another year with the Wallabies suffering a record defeat, 57 - 22 to the All Blacks.

The 57-22 defeat only added to the mental scars which have hindered the Wallabies’ development for almost two decades.

The Sydney Morning Herald reports one play defined the difference between one of the best teams in the world and a team simply making up the numbers.

Trailing 21-15 with a one-man advantage after Ardie Savea was sent to the sin bin after 41 minutes, the Wallabies had a lineout deep inside the All Blacks’ half.

New Zealand did not contest the lineout. They elected to set their defensive maul, as most teams do in that situation.

It was therefore the most basic of throws for Brandon Paenga-Amosa, but the Wallabies hooker couldn’t execute. The throw wasn’t straight.

Rather than applying pressure and possibly scoring a try that would have put the Wallabies 30 minutes away from breaking the Eden Park drought, the All Blacks marched up the other end and scored.

When Savea returned, the All Blacks had a 31-15 lead.

While Paenga-Amosa’s crooked throw was the play that defined the difference between the two teams, there was another play that was an example of the big brother-little brother relationship.

A bizarre Matt To’omua kick well after the final siren found a grateful Beauden Barrett.

In any other match, Barrett would have belted the ball high into the nearest grandstand and started celebrating with his teammates.

But Barrett could smell blood. A 50-22 win wasn’t enough. The All Blacks wanted more.

The superstar fullback set off a counter-attack which finished with a try to David Havili.

The All Blacks didn’t need to score. The tired forwards that could barely pick their legs up probably would have preferred Barrett to end the game then and there.

But it must have made the Wallabies feel helpless.

That’s how Australian rugby fans feel after watching their team sink to another embarrassing defeat in New Zealand.

Last night's result means the third and final Bledisloe Cup test in Perth in two weeks is now a dead rubber.

[Source: Sydney Morning Herald]



Latest Videos

Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Public Consultation on Draft Media Bill
The new media legislation proposed by the coalition government is aiming to preserve the elements of media ownership regulation and registration ...
9 days ago

Proposed Tian Lun project at Nasese
Concerned residents are wondering why there was no publicity about such a huge project that will affect the environment along Queen Elizabeth ...
40 days ago

Leader of Opposition Voreqe Bainimarama suspended from parliament for 3 years
Leader of the Opposition, Voreqe Bainimarama has been suspended from Parliament for 3 years
43 days ago
FEATURE NEWS
Fiji beat Argentina 26-19 in final HK 7s pool match and will meet SA in the quarter final
The Fiji Airways men’s 7s team made a brilliant second half comeback to beat a strong Argentine side in their final pool encounter. Josese Batire...
10 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
Hong Kong 7s: Fijiana 7s beat USA 19-14
- Reapi Uluinsasau scores to send the Fijiana through to the semifinal. 19-14.- Meredani Qoro scores for Fiji! Conversion is good. Both teams at 14 ...
6 hours ago

E3 annual video game showcase event in Los Angeles cancelled
This year's Electronic Entertainment Expo, the annual video game showcase known as E3, has been cancelled. It was due to return as an in-person ...
12 hours ago

Dominant first half sees Drua beat Rebels 38-28
A dominant first half display laid the platform for the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua’s 38-28 victory over the Rebels in the Shop N Save Super Rugby ...
13 hours ago

Rebels no match for the Fijiana Drua
The Rooster Chicken Fijiana Drua has thrashed the Rebels 39-12 in their Super W match at the HFC Bank stadium. The Rebels were no match for the ...
15 hours ago

Fans travel from Ba to support the Drua
Swire Shipping Fijian Drua and the Rooster Chicken Fijiana Drua fans have come all the way from Ba to witness the double header today at the HFC ...
17 hours ago

TOP