New Zealand v Australia: Score and updates from Rugby Championship

Good morning and welcome to coverage from the final round of the 2024 Rugby Championship as New Zealand host Australia in Wellington. Last weekend we were treated to a thriller in Sydney in the first Bledisloe Cup match of 2024. New Zealand had raced to a 21-0 lead inside the opening 20 minutes before Australia rallied to make it a tense ending as New Zealand held on in the end to win 31-28. Victory in Sydney last Saturday means that New Zealand have retained the Bledisloe Cup for another year as Australia’s wait to get their hands back on the trophy goes on; they have not won the Bledisloe Cup since 2002.

New Zealand sit in third place on 11 points after just two wins in their five games so far, behind South Africa and Argentina. New Zealand have won the majority of the Rugby Championships since Argentina joined the competition just over a decade ago, winning 10 of the 12 editions, but could finish up in third come the end of the day. Australia are rooted to the bottom of the table on five points with just the one victory to their name and will remain last no matter what happens this weekend.

One man who will not be lining up for New Zealand today is Jordie Barrett, who has been ruled out with an injury to his medial collateral ligament in his left knee. He limped off at half-time during the win over Australia in Sydney and is a doubt for the start of the Autumn Internationals in November. Leinster fans may be a little concerned as well, with Barrett set to join them in December on a short-term deal. One Barrett is missing but another is back from illness as Beauden Barrett is preferred to Damian McKenzie at fly-half. McKenzie has started all eight games that New Zealand head coach Scott Robertson has been in charge but Barrett, on his 131th cap, will get the start.

“We were always planning to give Beauden a go,” said Robertson. “Damian [McKenzie] has started every game until now and we’ve got to give guys opportunities. He’s had a great season to date. There’s areas of his game he can get better, but he can come on and game-manage what we need to do to finish the match.”

It will be a proud day for Sam Cane, who will today become the 13^th player to play 100 Tests for New Zealand. You would think home advantage is key and for so many years it was for New Zealand as they were almost unbeatable, especially at home. However they are winless in five Tests in Wellington, dating back to 2018, so perhaps that will give hope to an Australian side lacking in confidence.

Later today South Africa host Argentina in the final game, with South Africa close to winning their first Rugby Championship since 2019.