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All Blacks crush Wallabies after a tight first half

New Zealand keep the Bledisloe Cup they have held since 2003, with Australia conceding five tries after the break before the series heads to Sydney.

3 min read
All Blacks lock Tupou Vaa'i carries the ball past Wallabies defenders under the floodlights at Eden Park
Tupou Vaa'i, one of seven All Blacks try-scorers, charges at the Wallabies at Eden Park. Digitally illustrated image.
By Bushletter Newsroom ·

TLDR

A dominant second-half display gave the All Blacks a 50-19 victory over the Wallabies at Eden Park on Saturday, retaining the Bledisloe Cup. New Zealand led by just three points at halftime before five second-half tries sealed the win. The series moves to Sydney on 17 October 2026.

The All Blacks defeated the Wallabies 50-19 at Eden Park, Auckland, on 10 October 2026, retaining the Bledisloe Cup for another season.[1] New Zealand conceded 14 points in a competitive first half before pulling away comprehensively after the break.

Second-half blowout decides a tight contest

The scoreboard read 17-14 to New Zealand at halftime, with the Wallabies firmly in the contest after tries to Tom Wright and Harry Wilson kept Australia close.[2] The second half of the contest unfolded in a very different fashion.

Cam Roigard's try in the 50th minute shifted momentum decisively, opening a gap the Wallabies could not close.[2] New Zealand ran in five tries after the interval, four of them unanswered, to push the margin to 31 points, turning a competitive Test into a one-sided finish.

Wallabies head coach Les Kiss had spoken before the match of his side's intent to pressure New Zealand. "It's a big game, definitely," Kiss said. "They're a team I have huge respect for." He added: "We're a team that's willing to take the fight to them and see where it goes. It's gonna be tough."[3] The first half bore out that intent; the second half did not.

Wallabies fullback Tom Wright said after full-time that his side had been punished for its mistakes. "They made us pay and we gave them back the ball in a couple of instances," Wright said. "We left a couple of tries [out there] when we earned field position. We just didn't take the points, unfortunately."[4]

Try scorers and key moments

New Zealand's seven tries came from Peter Lakai, Tupou Vaa'i, Cam Roigard, Codie Taylor, Leroy Carter, Josh Moorby and Will Jordan.[2] Australia's three replies were scored by Tom Wright, Harry Wilson and Josh Nasser.

The Wallabies have not won at Eden Park since 1986, stretching their winless run at the ground to 40 years.[2] Eden Park has hosted 54 consecutive unbeaten Tests for the All Blacks since 1994.

Injuries and incidents

Wallabies centre Len Ikitau left the field in the first half and failed a head injury assessment, taking no further part in the game.[2] Ikitau's absence before halftime added pressure to a Wallabies backline already working hard to stay in contact.

All Blacks flanker Anton Segner took a knock from a teammate while making a tackle in the 78th minute and was expected to come off for a head injury assessment.[2]

The Bledisloe Cup series continues with the second Test in Sydney on 17 October 2026.[5]

KEY TAKEAWAYS

01Seven All Blacks tries overwhelmed Australia 50-19, New Zealand's 12th straight win over the Wallabies.
02A tight 17-14 halftime score gave way to a 33-point second half as New Zealand pulled clear.
03Cam Roigard's 50th-minute try started a run of four unanswered All Blacks tries after a competitive opening half.
04Wallabies centre Len Ikitau failed a head injury assessment in the first half and did not return.
05The second Bledisloe Cup Test is scheduled for Sydney on 17 October 2026.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What was the final score in the first Bledisloe Cup Test of 2026?
The All Blacks defeated the Wallabies 50-19 at Eden Park, Auckland, on 10 October 2026.
Who scored tries for the All Blacks?
Peter Lakai, Tupou Vaa'i, Cam Roigard, Codie Taylor, Leroy Carter, Josh Moorby and Will Jordan all crossed for New Zealand.
When and where is the second Bledisloe Cup Test?
The second Test is scheduled for Sydney on 17 October 2026.
What happened to Len Ikitau during the match?
Wallabies centre Len Ikitau failed a head injury assessment after leaving the field in the first half and did not return.
Related topics
Sport Australia All Blacks
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