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Wallabies heartbreak as All Blacks clinch final-minute victory in Dunedin to deny 22-year first

The All Blacks have clinched a thrilling three-point victory over Australia in Dunedin, with an 80th-minute penalty kick giving New Zealand its 29th consecutive Test win over the Wallabies on home soil.

After trailing by 14 points at half-time, the understaffed Kiwis scored twice in the second stanza to secure a narrow 23-20 triumph over their trans-Tasman rivals at Forsyth Barr Stadium, denying Australia its first win in New Zealand since 2001.

The Wallabies, who are winless this year, will travel to France for its World Cup campaign still searching for a maiden victory under coach Eddie Jones in his second tenure.

“It’s a bad feeling. We should’ve won that game,” Jones told Stan Sport after the defeat.

“We did enough to win that game, but we don’t have the capacity to keep doing the simple things well.”

It was a game of two halves — the Wallabies dominated possession and territory in the first 40 minutes, diving over twice in the opening seven minutes before New Zealand dominated the second half.

The Australians shot themselves in the second stanza with sloppy mistakes and ill-discipline, ruining what would have been considered their best performance in years.

Speaking to Stan Sport after the loss, Wallabies captain Tate McDermott admitted he was “gutted” with the outcome.

“We put ourselves in a position to win it,” McDermott said.

“We were chasing our tails that whole second half. You have to give them credit for the way they came out of the blocks. We knew they’d come like that.

“Disappointing with our result, but I’m proud of that effort. Obviously not happy with losing, but from where we were last week to where we are now, a massive step-up.”

Having already retained the Bledisloe Cup after last week’s 38-7 win at the MCG, the All Blacks made a dozen changes ahead of Saturday afternoon’s contest.

Australia got off to a strong start, receiving an early penalty advantage after kick-off, with McDermott opting to kick for touch rather than take the three points. The brave call paid off, with winger Marika Koroibete diving over near the left corner flag moments before his knee scraped the sideline.

The All Blacks gifted back possession after a wayward lineout throw, and a linebreak from Andrew Kellaway set up the Wallabies’ second try, with Tom Hooper barging through — Carter Gordon nailed his second conversion kick from touch as the Dunedin crowd fell silent.

Dave Porecki left the field for an HIA a few minutes later, replaced by hooker Matt Faessler on Test debut. New Zealand reduced the deficit to 11 points after Damian McKenzie booted a penalty kick in the 13th minute.