Australia’s demoralising Bledisloe Cup drought will continue for another year, after the Wallabies had their hearts broken in the most dramatic fashion last evening (15) in a 39-37 defeat to the All Blacks in Melbourne.
After trailing 31-13 at one point, the Wallabies clawed their way back to a 37-34 lead with three minutes to go, thanks to a sublime 48-metre penalty from Nic White.
With the ball under his arm and right in front of Australia’s own goalposts, Wallabies No. 10 Bernard Foley went from hero to zero, moments after kicking a sideline conversion to tie scores at 34-34.
After a terrific turnover penalty from Lalakai Foketi, with just over a minute on the clock remaining, Foley was pinged for time-wasting, which gave the All Blacks a scrum in Australia’s 22.
Just as Foley was about to kick the ball into touch, which would have seen Australia then take a lineout up the field, French Mathieu Raynal awarded the visitors a scrum.
The Wallabies protested and a confused Foley couldn’t believe what was unfolding. Raynal told Foley he didn’t get on with play quick enough.
Moments later, with the Wallabies hanging on for dear life, Jordie Barrett scored the match-winner down the right edge after full-time to seal a two-point win and an unassailable 1-0 series lead.
As far as rugby nightmares go, they don’t get much worse.
“That’s a ridiculous call,” former Wallaby Tim Horan said in commentary.
The Bledisloe Cup will remain in New Zealand hands after Wallabies fans left Marvel Stadium in disbelief at what they had just seen.
It was one of the most incredible ends to an international match in recent memory. The backlash to the decision from Raynal will be fierce.
“I was just talking to Bernard Foley, and what we knew was the time was out and he told the boys to play, but the clock was stopped,” Coach Dave Rennie told Stan Sport. “So there was no real urgency to do that and I don’t know – it just shows a little bit of a lack of feel for such an important moment in the game.”
Foley added: “We were still listening for the line out call. The ref said time off. I think it’s just disappointing how good a game that was, and yet we’re talking about the referee.”
Controversial penalty breaks Wallabies’ hearts
16 Sep 2022
Controversial penalty breaks Wallabies’ hearts
16 Sep 2022