New Zealand thrash Australia 42-8
New Zealand opened the 2016 Rugby Championship by humiliating
Australia 42-8 in the Bledisloe Cup at the ANZ Stadium in Sydney on
Saturday.
Ryan Crotty, Beauden Barrett, Jerome Kaino and Waisake Naholo scored
tries as they led 32-3 at the break. Dane Coles and Julian Savea went
over to extend the lead before Nick Phipps scored a consolation try.
Police are to investigate how a listening device was planted in a
hotel room being used by the All Blacks. The New Zealand Herald reported
that a "sophisticated" bug found on Monday had been hidden in a chair.
The Wallabies denied any involvement, but if the device was intended to
be used to help them it fell on deaf ears. The home side's cause was not
helped by losing centres Matt Giteau, Rob Horne and Matt Toomua through
injury in the first half.
Man of the match Beauden Barrett scored a try, set up two others and
kicked 12 points in their first meeting since the Rugby World Cup final
last year.
At one stage the rampant All Blacks looked likely to beat their
record highest score of 43-6 against the Wallabies, but captain Kieran
Read was sent to the sin bin with 15 minutes remaining allowing the home
side to limit the damage.
The Rugby Championship is contested home and away between New
Zealand, Australia, South Africa and Argentina.
The All Blacks and the Wallabies play a third match each year which
is not part of the tournament. They meet again in Wellington, New
Zealand next Saturday, where the All Blacks will have the chance to
secure the Bledisloe Cup for a 14th straight year. |