Match Centre: New Zealand 40-14 Australia

New Zealand 40-14 Australia, Eden Park

New Zealand have taken a giant leap towards securing the Rugby Championship title as they defeated Australia 40-14 at Eden Park in the final round on Saturday.

The All Blacks now have 19 points from six matches as a result of which South Africa need to win the encounter against the Pumas later in the day with a bonus point victory and a point difference of 40 or more to deprive them of the title.

The Wallabies suffered an early second minute setback as Jed Holloway was sin-binned for a tackle on Dalton Papali’i but the visitors did well not to concede a point. Both the teams were desperate for the early breakthrough and it did not come until the 22nd minute when Richie Mo'unga kicked a penalty goal.

The All Blacks extended the lead further as Beauden Barrett sent an offload for Will Jordan to score and Mo'unga improved it to make it 10-0 in the first 25 minutes of the game.

The home side got further boost as they were awarded a penalty try around the 28th minute after their lineout drive was pulled down illegally by Dave Porecki, who was yellow carded for the infringement as the opening half completed with a 17-0 lead for Ian Foster's men.

New Zealand extended the dominance early into the second half as Sam Whitelock dived from close range and Mo’unga kicked the conversion to make it 24-0 before Codie Taylor also went over following a line out drive in the 55th minute after Mo'unga kicked a penalty goal to make it 32-0.

Australia were desperately hoping to repeat the fightback from the previous game and they got a lifeline with Pete Samu creating the break for Folau Fainga'a to dot down in the 59th minute but the All Blacks fought back through Samisoni Taukei’aho’s try in the 65th minute making it 37-7.

Mo'unga extended the All Blacks' tally to 40 points with a penalty kick in the 77th minute. Jordan Petaia scored a consolation try for the Wallabies with a dive in the corner in the final minute but Foster's men went on to secure a comfortable win.

Team line up:

New Zealand: 15 Beauden Barrett, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Ardie Savea, 7 Dalton Papali’i, 6 Akira Ioane, 5 Samuel Whitelock (captain), 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Ethan de Groot.

Reserves: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 18 Nepo Laulala, 19 Tupou Vaa’i, 20 Hoskins Sotutu, 21 Finlay Christie, 22 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 23 Sevu Reece.

Australia: 15 Andrew Kellaway, 14 Tom Wright, 13 Len Ikitau, 12 Lalakai Foketi, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Jake Gordon, 8 Harry Wilson, 7 Pete Samu, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Cadeyrn Neville, 4 Jed Holloway, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 David Porecki, 1 James Slipper (captain).

Reserves: 16 Folau Fainga’a, 17 Angus Bell, 18 Pone Fa’amausili, 19 Nick Frost, 20 Fraser McReight, 21 Nic White, 22 Reece Hodge, 23 Jordan Petaia.