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Recap: Wallabies stun All Blacks 23-18
By Jamie Wall
The Wallabies have stunned the All Blacks 23-18 at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.
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The world champions were strangled out of the game by a passionate Australian outfit, who managed to hold their discipline and send out stalwart Stephen Moore on a win.
Reece Hodge opened the scoring with an 80 metre intercept, just like Israel Folau had done in Dunedin. After that the first half was a tight affair, however the All Blacks deserved their one point lead due to some intelligent kicking and good scrummaging.
Waisake Naholo struck back for the All Blacks, finishing off a very patient move off a costly penalty. Ref Wayne Barnes pinged Rob Simmons for back chat and gave the All Blacks just enough field position to make the Wallabies pay. Lima Sopoaga slotted the sideline conversion and from there the All Blacks took control. It was all going according to plan until the Wallabies finally strung some phases together and gave Israel Folau just enough space to score a sensational try on the stroke of halftime.
Marika Koroibete broke the game open with a well worked try in the second half. From there the All Blacks gave away seven penalties in a row, which proved to be crucial.
Rieko Ioane benefitted from some excellent play to score in the corner, but Hodge had the last say with a 55 metre penalty to push the score out to a five point margin.
However, unlike Dunedin, the Wallabies held their nerve for a big win.
MORE TO COME.
