Brief
Wallabies fall to All Blacks as high‑ball and tackle issues dominate Eden Park test
The Wallabies struggled with high‑ball defence and illegal tackles in a 50‑19 loss to the All Blacks at Eden Park on Saturday.
By Felo News Desk · Published
The Wallabies were soundly defeated by the All Blacks 50‑19 at Eden Park on Saturday, with former Wallabies coach Dave Rennie’s influence on New Zealand’s play cited as a factor in the loss.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the Wallabies entered the match aware of the All Blacks’ tactics, particularly the high‑ball strategy that gave All Blacks No. 8 Wallace Sititi space to operate. The Wallabies failed to apply sufficient pressure on the ball carrier, allowing the All Blacks to gain two‑ or three‑metre advantages before reaching the gain line, a pattern that persisted throughout the test.
The article highlights two specific tackle incidents. In the 69th minute, Joseph Aukuso‑Suaalii’s “no‑arms” tackle on Jordie Barrett was described as illegal and driven by frustration, raising concerns about his technique despite his recent shift to the wing. Later, Rob Valetini’s hip‑drop tackle on Leroy Carter was also deemed illegal and, under a World Rugby rule change effective 1 November, would likely result in a ban. World Rugby had warned that hip‑drop tackles, though rare, pose a risk of injury, especially for smaller forwards targeting larger opponents.
Other observations from the report note that All Blacks halfback Cam Roigard’s box kick in the second half exemplified the Wallabies’ high‑ball woes, while the All Blacks’ back‑line, described as markedly improved since last year, repeatedly broke through the Wallabies’ defence.
Looking ahead, the Wallabies will have a rematch in Sydney the following Saturday, where coaches intend to focus on increasing pressure on the ball carrier and improving high‑ball defence.
Key facts
- The Wallabies lost 50‑19 to the All Blacks at Eden Park. (smh.com.au)
- All Blacks No. 8 Wallace Sititi benefited from space given by the Wallabies' high‑ball weakness. (smh.com.au)
- Rob Valetini’s hip‑drop tackle on Leroy Carter was illegal and would be punishable after 1 Nov under new World Rugby rules. (smh.com.au)
- Joseph Aukuso‑Suaalii’s no‑arms tackle on Jordie Barrett was described as illegal and driven by frustration. (smh.com.au)
- The Wallabies will face the All Blacks again in Sydney the following Saturday. (smh.com.au)
Sources
- [1] smh.com.au — originally reported as “Wallabies knew what was coming at Eden Park, but were powerless to stop it”
