OPINION: Whew! The All Blacks have finally achieved back-to-back victories in their rollercoaster 2022 campaign, securing the Bledisloe Cup for another year with a last-gasp win over Australia.
The archrivals battled out another classic trans-Tasman contest, but you get the feeling the Aussies will grizzle about the three yellow cards - two of them concurrent - and controversial ending for some time to come.
Cynics may suggest that French referee Mathieu Raynal was New Zealand's best on the night, but he had certainly warned the Wallabies for time-wasting in a stop-start contest that seemed designed to disrupt any All Blacks continuity.
Give credit to the All Blacks for their ability to adjust to a makeshift backline, after they lost midfielder David Havili and replacement Quinn Tupaea to first-half injuries.
Now they must defend their Eden Park fortress to seal a Rugby Championship crown that seemed unlikely for much of this season.
Here's how the All Blacks players stacked up against Australia:
1-Ethan de Groot 5
Replaced by George Bower, after his least impressive performance of the campaign. Held up over the tryline and carried strongly, but missed the last tackle in Valetini's try and lost some poise at scrumtime.
2-Samisoni Taukei'aho 8
Goes from strength to strength as the All Blacks' starting hooker, running and tackling powerfully. Scored two tries, including a rare openfield effort, and lost another in the tackle, while throwing accurately to the lineout, before he was replaced by Dane Coles.
3-Tyrel Lomax 5
Won an early scrum penalty, but buckled, as the Aussies gained some shortlived set-piece dominance. Was lucky to stay on the field, after a dangerous tackle... and immediately replaced by Fletcher Newell.
4-Brodie Retallick 6
Solid performance, highlighted by a decisive carry and try assist for Taukei'aho's second try.
5-Sam Whitelock 6
Dominated the lineouts and kickoffs, but as captain, almost cost his team the game, when he elected for an unsuccessful last-minute lineout drive, instead of an easy three points to draw. Bailed out by referee Mathieu Raynal.
6-Scott Barrett 7
Again showed why he's an automatic selection in the satarting XV, despite switching to the side of the scrum. Won his share of lineouts, including the last-gasp bid for victory, and stole one off the Wallabies, while leading his team with 11 tackles, none missed.
7-Sam Cane 5
Not only took himself out of the game with a failed HIA, but also eliminated teammate David Havili with an early head clash. Little opportunity to stamp himself on the game, but did unleash Richie Mo'unga for a linebreak.
8-Hoskins Sotutu 7
Won't make anyone forget Ardie Savea, but mixed skilfull touches with solid defence and made consecutive tackles to save a first-half try. His defensive counter-ruck sparked Taukei'aho's try after halftime, but he was also a tad too clever, kicking, when he should have passed on a subsequent break.
9-Aaron Smith 6
Usual consistent service to the backs, while making a couple of notable tackles, including a huge hit on Marike Koroibete in centrefield. Replaced by Finlay Christie, as the pressure went on in the dying moments.
10-Richie Mo'unga 7
Seemed to have the game on a string, when he scored the try that gave New Zealand a double-figure second-half buffer, but contributed to Australia's comeback, when he kicked out on the full. Scored a try and kicked faultlessly from the tee.
11-Caleb Clarke 6
Dangerous every time he handled the ball, running for a game-high 146 metres - almost twice as many as his nearest rival (Wallabies loose forward Pete Samu) - but also conceded a couple of turnovers and was found alarmingly out of position for a couple of Aussie tries.
12-David Havili 6
Showed his importance to the All Blacks gameplan, before he left the game with concussion. Provided kicking variety and joined the maul that propelled Taukei'aho over for the opening try, but his organisation was sorely missed when he left.
13-Rieko Ioane 6
Saved a certain try with a tackle that prevented the ball being grounded and made a delightful break, as the All Blacks seemed to take control of the contest, but also threw a couple of wayward passes, one to Beauden Barrett that cost a probable try.
14-Will Jordan 6
A real mixed bag, but at least he was back in the scoring column, after a short drought, with the touchdown that put his team 18 points up. Chased everything, was a real menace at the kickoff and breakdown, and kicked and chased in the build-up to Taukei'aho's second try, but also slipped off a tackle on Samu - one of four for the game - that brought the Wallabies level late.
15-Jordie Barrett 7
Showed his versatility, when he was required to move from fullback to the midfield, after Quinn Tupaea's unfortunate exit. Missed his only kick at goal, unleashed Clarke with a clever crossfield speculator and, of course, held the desperate pass from Jordan for the matchwinning try.
Reserves:
16-Dane Coles 5
Conceded the last-minute maul penalty that probably should have consigned the All Blacks to defeat, then couldn't resist a little niggle, after Raynal stepped in.
17-George Bower 5
Contributed to a late scrum resurgence, after replacing de Groot.
18-Fletcher Newell 5
Had to save Lomax from himself and quietly continued his international education.
19-Akira Ioane 5
Replaced Sotutu and came close to scoring from close range in the final moments.
20-Dalton Papali'i 5
Was given a royal opportunity to show his worth, after replacing his concussed captain in the first half, but couldn't make the most of it. Was almost immediately yellow-carded for collapsing a maul, stole a lineout off the Wallabies, but also conceded the penalty that put them ahead in the dying moments.
21-Finlay Christie 5
Not sure why you must replace easily your best halfback (Smith) with five minutes to go in a tied ballgame - surely he can last a full 80 minutes?
22-Beauden Barrett 7
Had a big impact on the game, after replacing Tupaea and taking the fullback role. His oft-criticised kicking game created tries for Taukei'aho and Jordan, as the All Blacks took control.
23-Quinn Tupaea 4
Replaced Havili early and missed an important tackle on defence, but made up for that with a vital ruck penalty under pressure. Was brutally and deliberately targeted for a knee injury that deserved more than just a yellow card.
Grant Chapman is Newshub online sports lead, Join us on September 24 for live updates of the second All Blacks v Australia Bledisloe Cup test
