New Zealand keep Rugby Championship hope alive with 28-14 win over Australia in Perth

New Zealand wrapped up the Rugby Championship with a clinical 28–14 win over Australia in Perth, a result built on a dominant first-half performance from Quinn Tupaea and Leroy Carter.

While Tane Edmed kept the Wallabies in touch from the tee and Len Ikitau crossed in the second half, the All Blacks’ set-piece control and defensive discipline proved decisive, with George Bower’s late score sealing a bonus point.

The result meant New Zealand have extended their points to 19 from six games while South Africa have 15 with a game to go.

Australia made the brighter start. Fly-half Tane Edmed kicked the Wallabies into the lead with a penalty in the 5th minute, and though Carter struck back with a try in the 7th minute, converted by Damian McKenzie, Edmed’s reliable boot kept the scoreboard moving.

His second penalty in the 10th minute reduced the deficit, and despite Tom Hooper’s yellow card in the 11th minute, Edmed landed his third penalty in the 16th minute to nudge Australia ahead 9–7.

That brief lead vanished when Quinn Tupaea seized control of the contest. The powerful centre barged over in the 32nd minute for New Zealand’s second try, and three minutes later he repeated the feat, crossing again to complete a first-half brace.

Both conversions went wide, but the All Blacks still took a 17–9 lead into the break, having wrestled momentum firmly away from the hosts.

Australia’s hopes of a comeback were dented almost immediately when Len Ikitau was shown a yellow card in the 44th minute. Though the Wallabies worked hard defensively to survive his absence, McKenzie added a penalty in the 62nd minute to push New Zealand further ahead at 20–9.

Back to a full complement, Australia finally found a breakthrough. In the 66th minute, Ikitau atoned for his earlier card by finishing a well-worked move to score his side’s only try. The conversion was missed, leaving the score at 20–14, but the Wallabies were back in the contest.

New Zealand’s response was swift and composed. McKenzie slotted another penalty in the 69th minute to restore a nine-point cushion, and with Australia chasing the game, the All Blacks struck again in stoppage time. Replacement prop George Bower forced his way over for the bonus-point try, though McKenzie’s conversion attempt drifted wide.

The 28–14 victory underlined New Zealand’s ability to absorb pressure and strike with precision. Tupaea’s first-half brace provided the platform, while McKenzie’s composure from the tee and Bower’s late effort sealed the win.

For Australia, Edmed’s accurate kicking and Ikitau’s resilience were positives, but ill-discipline — highlighted by Hooper and Ikitau’s yellow cards — undermined their effort. Against a clinical All Blacks side, those lapses proved costly.