It was the third and final weekend of June Rugby test series and what a weekend it was. The Wallabies kicked off the weekend with a dominant 39-13 win. Later in the evening the All Blacks equalled the World record for most consecutive wins as they picked apart England 36-13 in the third and final test of the Stienlarger series. South Africa narrowly escaped their first loss on home soil to Wales with a 31-30 win.
Wallabies ready for the future
Australia completed a 3-0 series sweep against France in Sydney, scoring five tries in recording their 11th consecutive home victory over Les Bleus. The victory, their seventh in succession, also marks the longest winning streak for an Australia side since 1999-2000 – when they were last world champions.
The Wallabies tooled the lead early with a Bernard Foley penalty followed by a try on debut from the massive Will Skelton. Brice Dulin and Foley then exchanged penalties to take the score to 13-03 in the 17th minute. An excellent 26th minute try from Isreal Folau converted by Foley followed by a second penalty from Dulin saw the Aussies go into the half with a 20-06 lead.
A brilliant running line from Folau off the shoulder off the shoulder of Skelton saw him scoring his third try of the series. Wallabies captain Michael Hooper swan-dived over for a try in the 61st minute, after wonderful work from replacement centre Kurtley Beale. France hooker Guilhem Guirado in the 65th minute scored the visitors’ only try, touching down after a driving maul in a well-worked lineout move. Maxime Machaneud’s conversion cut the lead to 34-13. Nic Phipps went over for his first try off a quick tap, capitalising on a lazy French defense to seal the game for the Aussies.
All Blacks pick apart England
The mighty World Champions made it 17 wins in a row as they annihilated a fired up England side. New Zealand got off to a flyer as Julian Savea finished off two scintillating team tries within 10 minutes as the All Blacks all seemed to be in sync. Freddie Burns managed a solitary penalty on the 6th minute which meant the All Blacks lead 12-03 after just 10 minutes of play.
Cruden and Burns exchanged penalties in the next ten minutes taking the score to 15-06. Cory Jane stepped in off his wing breaking a couple of tackles and off-loaded to Aaron Smith who outpaced the English to score in the corner. Aaron Smith was rewarded for his outstanding supportive lines as he collected another off load to go over under the post for his second try. Cruden’s conversion took the All Blacks into the half leading 29-06.
England at least fought back with Yarde’s try offering a glimmer of hope of securing only a third victory in New Zealand until the continuous mistakes made that dream impossible. Yarde’s try meant the Blacks lead 29-13 and they were happy to just throw the ball around and keep pressure on the English who struggled to capitalise on the chances they were creating. The All Blacks showed their positivity when they opted not to kick the ball out of play in the 80th minute which paid off in the 82nd as Savea collected an off load off Cory Jane to run in his third test hat-trick.
Julian Savea was sublime as he was named man of the match. He now has 23 tries in 22 games and is the world’s in-form winger. The All Blacks will now chase the World record for most consecutive wins as they take on the Wallabies in August in game one of the Rugby championship.
South Africa breathe sigh of relief
A late penalty try denied Wales an historic first victory over the Springboks in South Africa in a pulsating game which the Welsh appeared to have won when they led by 13 points with seven minutes remaining. The Welsh scored three tries, three conversions and three penalty goals, whilst the Springboks accumulated 4 tries (2 penalty tries), four conversions and 1 penalty.
Jamie Roberts (18th min), Alex Cuthbert (21st min) and Ken Owens (45th min) scored the tries for Wales and Dan Biggar knocked over the 3 penalties (12th, 56th & 65th min) and conversions. Morne Steyn accumulated 11 points off the boot for the Boks as he put over all four conversions and the penalty (55th min). The 2 tries were scored by Cornall Hendicks and Willie Le Roux in the 33rd and 71st minutes whilst the penalty tries came in the 32nd and 77th minute.
