New Zealand beat Australia in Rugby Championship

2024 Rugby Championship

New Zealand (19) 33

Tries: Reece, Jordan, Clarke 2, Williams Cons: B Barrett 4

Australia (13) 13

Try: McReight Pen: Lolesio 2 Con: Lolesio

New Zealand ended their Rugby Championship campaign on a high, with a comfortable 33-13 victory over a much-improved Australia in Wellington.

The Wallabies started fast with flanker Fraser McReight going over for the opening try after sustained pressure.

However, the All Blacks, who last won in Wellington in 2018, responded through a try each from their back three of Sevu Reece, Will Jordan and Caleb Clarke.

Prop Tamaiti Williams then powered over in the second period before winger Clarke sealed the win.

The hosts had already retained the Bledisloe Cup for the 22nd year in a row following a 31-28 victory in Sydney last weekend.

Victory also moves Scott Robertson's side up to second in the championship - a position they will finish in if South Africa defeat Argentina in a title decider later on Saturday in Nelspruit.

Two defeats by the Springboks and one by Argentina meant New Zealand were unable to reclaim the Rugby Championship for the first time since 2019 in Robertson's first tournament as head coach.

Joe Schmidt's first championship in charge of Australia finishes with just one victory over the Pumas, with his side bottom of the table for the second year running.

More to follow.

New Zealand: Jordan; Reece, Ioane, Lienert-Brown, Clarke; Barrett, Perenara; De Groot, Taylor, Lomax, S Barrett (capt), Vaa'i, Sititi, Cane, Savea.

Replacements: Aumua, Williams, Tosi, Tuipulotu, Jacobson, Ratima, McKenzie, Havili.

Australia: Wright; Kellaway, Ikitau, Paisami, Pietsch; Lolesio, Gordon; Bell, Faessler, Tupou, Frost, Williams, Valetini, McReight, Wilson (capt).

Replacements: Paenga-Amosa, Kailea, Alaalatoa, Salakaia-Loto, Gleeson, McDermott, Donaldson, Flook.

Referee: Nika Amashukeli (GRU)