Controversy reigns as All Blacks dash Wallabies’ Bledisloe Cup dreams

In a rollercoaster season where every epic victory has been followed by a crushing defeat, the Wallabies had one gutsy hand on the Bledisloe Cup until a bizarre last-minute refereeing decision turned their historic 37-34 victory into a heartbreaking 39-37 defeat.

It was a terrible result for rugby and consigns Australia to a 20th straight Bledisloe series loss. Despite a season-best performance that was cruelled by an officiating decision that will be debated for decades, Australia now slump to their worst ever world ranking of ninth.

Signs were good from the outset. The Wallabies attacked the Haka, advancing their boomerang formation to combat the war dance. But when the kick-off came, New Zealand surged first. Wallaby lock Jed Holloway missed the kick-off in the smoke, a costly mistake compounded by two silly penalties in two minutes. Twice the All Blacks spurned three to chase five. And in the fourth minute a dozen black jerseys drove over to put them up 7-0.

In a season of bad starts, Australia had botched another one. All Blacks fly-half Richie Mo’unga was chip kicking behind the lines, creating havoc, while Beauden Barrett was launching bombs the Wallabies couldn’t grab. Ten minutes in, Australia had had just 10% possession. When captain James Slipper buckled on the first scrum, it became 10-0.

Australia finally got the ball and inched forward, reeling from ruck to ruck with little progress. Then Rob Leota won a collision, PeteSamu made a steal and Dave Porecki of all people chased the kick to put the All Blacks in their own quarter for just the second time all quarter.

Now the Wallabies rushed the line, fast hands on nice angles bending the defenders. Australia won a penalty, pulled it back to 10-3, then ran into