New Zealand 23-20 Australia: All Blacks stage late comeback to clinch Bledisloe Cup and deny Wallabies famous victory

New Zealand recovered from a torrid first half to seal a thrilling last-minute 23-20 victory over Australia in the second Bledisloe Cup match in Dunedin.

All Blacks coach Ian Foster named a second-string starting side and it nearly backfired as the Wallabies raced into a 17-3 lead at half-time.

But a try immediately after the break by Shaun Stevenson sparked a comeback that was finished off in style by the boot of Richie Mo’unga, who slotted a tricky kick in the 80th minute to sweep the two-Test Bledisloe Cup series against Australia.

The defeat was understandably disappointing for Eddie Jones, who is yet to win during his second stint as the Australian head coach.

"It's a bad feeling," Jones said. "We should have won that game. We didn't quite make it but they're taking steps in the right direction."

The contest could hardly have started better for the Wallabies, who flew out of the gates in a bid to bounce back from last week’s 38-7 loss to the All Blacks.

A stunning finish in the corner from Marika Koroibete in the third minute gave the visitors a seven-point lead before Tom Hooper quickly doubled Australia’s advantage when he showcased all his strength to power through two New Zealand players and touch down in the same corner.

The Aussies crossed the line again in the 21st minute but New Zealand blushes were spared by Ardie Savea, who held the ball up and ensured the hosts trailed by only two scores at the break.

Spurred on by a raucous home crowd, the All Blacks emerged after half-time rejuvenated and hit back in the 44th minute.

Damian McKenzie was the architect as his looped miss pass set up Stevenson, who bundled his way over the line for a try on his debut.

Leicester Fainga’anuku then appeared to grab New Zealand’s second try 10 minutes later after some quick thinking from the back of the ruck, but replays showed he had lost control and knocked the ball on over the line.

But the All Blacks would assume control when a Mo’unga penalty was swiftly followed by a try from another debutant in Samipeni Finau, who made it 20-17 with less than 20 minutes to go.

Quade Cooper set up a grandstand finish when his penalty made it a level game but the hosts wouldn’t be denied, as Mo’unga’s slotted a kick in the last minute from a tight angle to break Aussie hearts and keep New Zealand’s 22-year home winning streak over Australia alive.

New Zealand captain Sam Cane paid tribute to Australia for taking the game to them in Dunedin following the one-sided affair in Melbourne last week.

"That was a proper Test match," he said. "They were firing all the shots in the first half, to be fair, we were just hanging in there. They took it to us in a big way."

New Zealand face South Africa next as World Cup preparations continue, while Australia take on France on August 27.

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