Laurie Mains saw plenty of positive signs in the All Blacks’ game against the Wallabies, despite the criticism that followed the 31-28 triumph.

Australia captain Harry Wilson said sending James Slipper home a winner after his record 140th test was a major motivation for the team ahead of their Rugby Championship Test against New Zealand.

New Zealand scored four tries in the first 25 minutes and held off a second-half Australia fightback with 13 men to beat the Wallabies 31-28 in a Rugby Championship thriller.

The All Blacks led 21-0 after 15 minutes but faltered badly in the second half, only just holding on with 13 men at one point to beat Australia 31-28 in the first Bledisloe Cup test.

Latest score and updates as All Blacks run rampant in Rugby Championship clash - Both the Wallabies and All Blacks are in need of a win as they meet in Sydney

Australia vs. New Zealand in the 2024 Rugby Championship kicks off at 1:45 a.m. ET on Sept. 21. This fixture takes place at Stadium Australia. You can live stream the 2024 Rugby Championship for free on NZR+, including Australia vs. New Zealand.

Fullback Beauden Barrett will return to the starting 15 in the All Blacks team that will play Australia in the Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup test in Sydney on Saturday.

Again, the All Blacks have failed to score a point in the last 20 minutes of a test.

Australia have lost their eighth-straight Test to New Zealand and bungled another chance to snatch their first Bledisloe Cup series victory since 2002, going down 31-28 before a crowd of 68,061 at Accor Stadium in Sydney.

The All Blacks rebound from consecutive Rugby Championship defeats against world champions South Africa. Read more at straitstimes.com.