Australia 47-26
New Zealand in first Bledisloe Cup Test in PerthWallabies now face daunting trip to Eden Park to secure series 1.18pm BST
So, first things first. It’s a very special night in Perth, and for long-suffering fans of
Australian rugby it’s a performance, and a result, for the scrapbooks. By Kieran Read’s own admission the Wallabies were “brilliant”. And ahead of a
World Cup for which expectations have been incredibly low, it’s a huge shot in the arm for the players, the staff, and for Australian rugby fans.
61,241 fans packed in - although many of them supporting the All Blacks, it must be said. But while the champagne corks are still popping it’s hard not to see reasons not to get caught in the ephemeral bubbles. For Western Australians witnessing one of the nation’s greatest victories over its nearest and greatest rivals there will be the bitter lining of heading home reflecting on the loss of their own Super Rugby franchise that denies them such spectacles on a regular occasion at this special venue. 12.55pm BST
Plenty of traffic on
Twitter as well:@rrjparkin Rugby Union needs a competitive Australian team and it looks as if we have one again at last