WELLINGTON — New Zealand winger Ben Smith followed up last week's hat trick of tries in Sydney with two more as the All Blacks beat Australia 27-16 in their Rugby Championship clash Saturday to retain the Bledisloe Cup. Debutant flyhalf Tom Taylor put on an assured display with 14 points from the boot and a composed performance in general play, while Israel Dagg added a penalty when his Crusaders teammate was receiving medical treatment late in the game. Christian Leali'ifano kicked three penalties for the Wallabies and converted Israel Folau's late intercept try but the script followed a regular pattern for the visitors, who have not beaten the All Blacks in New Zealand since 2001. The All Blacks have held the Bledisloe Cup, the symbol of trans-Tasman supremacy since 2003 and the third match in the series in Dunedin in October, which is not part of the Rugby Championship, is now a dead rubber. The first half was reminiscent of the tournament opener in Sydney with the Wallabies making much of the early play, though unlike last week, Australia retained possession better inside the All Blacks half with scrumhalf Will Genia kicking more. The world champions, however, again soaked up the pressure and the Wallabies were only able to convert their dominance into two Leali'ifano penalties. New Zealand had showed their counter-attacking ability on several occasions but it took until the last 15 minutes of the first half for the host to get on the scoreboard when winger Smith touched down twice in the corner. The All Blacks forwards took over in the second half and put the Wallabies under immense pressure, particularly at the scrum, as Taylor slotted three more penalties to pad the advantage while Leali'ifano responded with his third successful kick. New Zealand's next Rugby Championship match is against Argentina in Hamilton while the Wallabies host South Africa in Brisbane. Both games are on Sept. 7. — Reuters
