New Zealand survived a late surge to secure a 31-28 victory over Australia in a thrilling Rugby Championship match in Sydney, ensuring they retain the Bledisloe Cup for the 22nd consecutive year.
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Dominant First Half for All Blacks
The All Blacks took control early, racing to a 14-point lead by half-time. However, despite their commanding position, they managed only a single penalty in the second half and found themselves under increasing pressure as Australia fought back.
Australia’s Late Rally Falls Short
Australia staged a dramatic comeback in the closing stages, with late tries from Hunter Paisami and Tom Wright reducing the deficit to just three points. But New Zealand’s defence held firm, denying the Wallabies a famous victory.
Key Moments: Sin-Bins and Sin-Bin Drama
New Zealand’s second-half struggles were compounded by two yellow cards, leaving them temporarily down to 13 men. The disciplined Australian side capitalised on the opportunity, but ultimately fell just short.
Karl Dickson Takes Charge
Referee Karl Dickson played a central role in a heated contest, including a memorable exchange with Australia’s vocal scrum-half, Nic White. After a back-and-forth, Dickson humorously remarked, “I’ll be the ref, you’ll be the nine,” showcasing his control of the game in both action and dialogue.
Bledisloe Dominance Continues
This victory marks New Zealand’s eighth consecutive win over Australia, maintaining their long-standing supremacy in the Bledisloe Cup. Their trans-Tasman rivals have now been unable to claim the prestigious trophy for 22 years.
“Brutal ranking” – Fans rank the five most ‘hated’ rugby union players in the world
We have curated a compilation of individuals who, through their actions on and off the field, have acquired a regrettable reputation within the game. Their notoriety extends beyond specific fan bases or clubs; it encompasses the entire rugby community.
#5. Dan Biggar (Wales)
Amusingly, Biggar epitomizes the kind of player who manages to invoke strong dislike until he becomes a part of your own team.
Over the course of his career, this fly-half has exhibited a growing penchant for passionately berating referees.
This behavior has reached such heights that Glove39, a renowned online personality and unwavering fan of Scotland, cleverly crafted a video titled ‘birdman.’
In this video, Glove39 humorously mimicked Biggar’s habitual arm-raising expression of frustration directed at officials.