All Blacks’ winning run comes to an end in draw with Wallabies
New Zealand fall short of claiming world-record 18th consecutive win as they are held to a 12-12 draw by Australia in try-less encounter
Australia prevented New Zealand from claiming a world-record 18th consecutive win by holding the world champions to a 12-12 draw in a try-less Rugby Championship opener on Saturday that left both sides disappointed.
In a gritty encounter played out in a Sydney rainstorm, Australia were handed a glimpse of an upset when South African referee Jaco Peyper showed yellow cards to All Blacks Wyatt Crockett and Beauden Barrett either side of the break.
How does it feel not to get the record? The same as we feel about not getting the win – it sucks
They tied the match up with flyhalf Kurtley Beale's fourth penalty 10 minutes from time after Barrett was sin-binned but were unable to make the most of their superior numbers and secure a first victory over the All Blacks for three years.
All Blacks flyhalf Aaron Cruden scored all of his side's points with four penalty kicks of his own as New Zealand came up short of a win for the first time in the three years of the Rugby Championship.
The draw means New Zealand continue to share the record of 17 consecutive victories by a top tier nation with the 1965-69 All Blacks and South Africa side of 1997-98.
"How does it feel not to get the record? The same as we feel about not getting the win - it sucks," said New Zealand coach Steve Hansen.