Two tries from centre Quinn Tupaea helped New Zealand to a 28-14 bonus-point victory over hosts Australia at a wet Perth Stadium on Saturday, keeping alive the All Blacks' hopes of lifting the Rugby Championship trophy this year.
Defending champions South Africa must now win their final fixture against Argentina at Twickenham in London later on Saturday to retain the title for the first time and win their sixth championship overall.
But crucially they will not need a bonus-point as New Zealand move to 19 points on the table with a +8 points difference. A Springbok victory without a bonus-point will see them on the same number of points in the table, but they already have a +55 points-difference from their five previous matches which will only increase with another triumph.
New Zealand must now hope Argentina can do them a massive favour and win, which would hand the All Blacks a record-extending 21st Rugby Championship title.
Wing Leroy Carter and George Bower also crossed for tries for the All Blacks, while Australia’s only score came 13 minutes from the end as centre Len Ikitau dotted down from close-range.
New Zealand were good value for their win in difficult conditions as Australia paid the price for two yellow cards and some inaccuracy in the visitors’ 22.
Flyhalf Tane Edmed’s early penalty had the home side in front, but New Zealand scored the opening try as Tupaea drove towards the line and Carter was able to pick up the ball at the ruck and dive over.
Edmed added another penalty before Australia thought they had scored a superb team try. Slick hands and powerful drives saw Allan Alaalatoa burrow over from close range, but a Television Match Official (TMO) review meant their joy was short-lived.
Flanker Tom Hooper was adjudged to have executed a ‘crock-roll’ on Jordie Barrett at a ruck and in the build-up. He was sent to the sin-bin and the try chalked off.
Edmed’s third penalty had Australia back in front, but two quickfire tries from New Zealand before halftime rocked the hosts.
There was an element of good fortune about the first as the ball ricochetted off Jordie Barrett’s head and perfectly into the path of an on-rushing Tupaea, as he kicked ahead before dotting down.
Three minutes later and Tupaea was over again as Will Jordan took a quick tap at a penalty and sent the bustling outside centre over via some feeble Australia defending to take the score to 17-9 at halftime in favour of the visitors.
"First start at centre for a while for myself so very pleased to get over the line a couple of times on the back of the work from the boys," said Tupaea.
"We haven't backed up well during this championship so very pleased with that win tonight."
Australia did not help themselves with some poor discipline and centre Ikitau was the second Wallabies player to be sin-binned for an upright tackle that had head-on-head contact.
It took until past the hour-mark for the next score as New Zealand flyhalf Damian McKenzie added a penalty, but Australia narrowed the gap on the scoreboard to six points when Ikitau stretched over from a ruck.
But another McKenzie penalty made it a two-score game again and there was no way back for the hosts, as Bower crashed over after the hooter to ensure a bonus-point win for the All Blacks.
