All Blacks run riot in second half to thrash Wallabies in Bledisloe Cup opener

By SABC Sport
10th October 2026

New Zealand produced a powerful second-half display to thrash Australia 50-19 in the opening match of the Bledisloe Cup at Eden Park on Saturday.

The All Blacks ran in eight tries to claim a commanding victory after Australia had threatened to make it a contest in the first half.

Australia made the brighter opening and dominated possession in the early exchanges before Tom Wright broke through the New Zealand defence in the eighth minute to score the first try. Ben Donaldson added the conversion to give the visitors a 7-0 lead.

New Zealand responded five minutes later when Peter Lakai crossed following a well-worked attacking move involving Damian McKenzie. McKenzie converted to level the scores before Tupou Vaa'i powered through the Australian defence in the 16th minute to put the hosts ahead. Another successful conversion gave the All Blacks a 14-7 advantage.

McKenzie extended the lead to 17-7 with a penalty, but the Wallabies fought their way back into the contest before half-time, with Harry Wilson finishing a fine move after a superb offload from Donaldson to leave New Zealand with a narrow 17-14 lead at the break.

The All Blacks came out firing after half-time and quickly seized control. Cam Roigard sliced through the Australian defence in the 49th minute to score their fourth try, with McKenzie adding the extras to restore a 10-point advantage.

Codie Taylor then capitalised on a gap in the Wallabies' defensive line in the 55th minute to extend New Zealand's lead. McKenzie converted again, taking the score to 31-14 as the hosts began to pull away.

New Zealand continued to exploit gaps in the Australian defence, with Leroy Carter finishing a superb move created by Lakai in the 66th minute.

Josh Moorby added another try in the 74th minute, finishing in the corner after the All Blacks had continued to apply pressure. Australia briefly responded through substitute Josh Nasser two minutes later, although Declan Meredith missed the conversion.

There was still time for New Zealand to deliver a final flourish, with Codie Taylor scoring his second try of the match in the closing stages after impressive attacking play from Will Jordan. McKenzie converted to bring up the half-century and seal a comprehensive 50-19 victory.