The Wallabies nearly produced an all-time Bledisloe Cup comeback as they went down 31-28 to the All Blacks.
In a game that looked set to be a blowout, the Aussies showed incredible fight to nearly pull off the impossible.
Tickets to the 2024 Bledisloe Cup Test match are available here.
So what did we learn?
The Wallabies nearly pulled off the type of Bledisloe win that goes down in the history books in the same place as the 2000 thriller.
The All Blacks had the chance to close out the game but the Australians kept calm and they managed to rally late.
Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Dylan Pietsch and Tate McDermott added real energy off the bench but the star was Brandon Paenga-Amosa.
The hooker was excellent in all aspects and will push for a starting spot for the rest of the year.
The Wallabies can build off that last 20 minutes but will feel like that game was there for the taking.
In a matter of 15 minutes, the Bledisloe Cup was decided and heading back to New Zealand.
The All Blacks are ruthless and took advantage of a sluggish start from the Wallabies.
The hosts missed 11 tackles in the first 15 minutes as the Kiwis ran riot.
The Wallabies won the rest of the match comfortably but a gap that bag against any top side is ultimately too much to come back from.
They now head to Wellington knowing what it takes to defeat the All Blacks.
The Wallabies were guilty of letting the Kiwis dictate the contest early on as their passive defence proved costly.
They allowed the Kiwis to play at speed and constantly bend their defensive line as a result of a lack of line speed.
It’s a cardinal sin against the All Blacks, with the big bodies of Ioane, Clarke and co relishing the opportunity.
There were multiple times when the Kiwis just showed more effort than the Australians and that will kill Joe Schmidt
Fraser McReight showed his value in attack in one of the few bright spots for the Australians in the first half.
He has one of the highest attacking IQs and his presence in the Wallabies’ opening try showed this.
The flanker then launched a booming 22-22 kick to get Australia out of the trouble, only to see the lineout lost and the All Blacks score.
His backrower partners Harry Wilson and Rob Valetini were also solid
James Slipper’s special afternoon nearly inspired the Wallabies to an all-time comeback.
Slipper hates the attention so the sight of Wallabies legends forming the ultimate guard of honour for the prop would’ve made him uneasy.
He ran out in the 51st minute to strong applause and a tough lead to overcome.
Unfortunately, a HIA forced him off the field and whilst he passed and returned to the field, it couldn’t get Australia over the line.
