New Zealand captain Scott Barrett was the first to admit there was relief in the camp at finally getting the Sky Stadium monkey off their backs. The All Blacks have had a miserable time of late in the capital, crashing to a shock defeat to Argentina at Sky Stadium, the same venue they had lost to Ireland in 2022 on their previous visit.
“Really pleased to have reversed the curse,” said Barrett. “We didn’t start too well, but I’m really pleased with how we finished. There was some grit in defence and we held out the Aussies,” said Barrett as the All Blacks shut Australia out in the second half. We talked about owning our effort and it showed there on our line, it was pleasing to not let them in.”
“Pleased to finish on a high in our final home game,” he added as Sam Cane, on his 100th Test appearance, and TJ Perenara both played what is likely to be their final international in New Zealand after signing with Japanese clubs.
Australia captain Harry Wilson rued missed opportunities as the Wallabies fell short in their bid to claim only their second win at Sky Stadium. Despite dominating the early exchanges and rattling the All Blacks, Australia couldn’t sustain the effort.
“We’re obviously gutted,” said Wilson. “It’s not the result we came here and wanted. Our first 40 (minutes) was really good – we showed up and started fast, but struggled with possession in the second half. We had a few chances which we couldn’t capitalise on and they hurt us at the end.”
Arguably, the find of the year for the All Blacks is 22-year-old Wallace Sititi who has been outstanding in his debut season after bolting into the New Zealand squad on the back of breaking into the Waikato Chiefs squad.
His eye for a gap with a great mix of skill and power belies the youngster’s inexperience. New Zealand coach Scott Robertson is backing Sititi to be a standout figure on their northern tour when the All Blacks face Japan, England, Ireland, France and Italy, starting next month.
“A lot’s been said about him but the good thing about him is he’s humble — the hype won’t go to his head,” Robertson said of Sititi, who has started the last three Tests after injury to Ethan Blackadder.
“Wallace is just a quality loose forward and he trusts his skills, and he’s got a real calmness.
“And the profile he’s got, the size, he’s got a power game and a skill set and he’s tough.”
Robertson said Jordie Barrett is expected to be included in his 36-man tour squad after the centre, who joins Irish province Leinster later this year, missed the Wellington Test with knee damage.
Australia are also heading to Europe for November Tests against England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland, giving Joe Schmidt the chance to see potential Lions players first hand.
“We’ll get a good look at their personnel,” said Schmidt, who coached Ireland for seven years up to 2019.
“I know them well and I know how good they are.
“It’s a bit like when we come up against the All Blacks, you know it’s going to be a really tough tour.
“But if we can keep building through that tour, then I think we put ourselves in position of potentially being competitive next July (for the 2025 Lions tour).”
Schmidt is rebuilding the Wallabies after Eddie Jones oversaw the Australia’s World Cup debacle in 2023, when they crashed out after the pool stages.
Following his nine Tests in charge, Schmidt is yet to decide his best 15 players after nine games in charge, with four wins and five defeats. “Going north, for us, is still about building depth.”