By Priscilla Jepchumba New Zealand held on to a narrow win in Sydney against Australia. Despite a thrilling comeback from the hosts, New Zealand continued its d

Scott Robertson’s side have locked the Cup away for another year.

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.

Ethan de Groot is fit to return from a neck injury and starts at loosehead for New Zealand, while Beauden Barrett is also brought back into the run-on side. The eldest Barrett brother’s inclusion sees Will Jordan shift to the right wing, and Pasilio Tosi is set for only a second cap as the reserve tighthead.

On a sun-drenched Sydney afternoon, the All Blacks fired and almost fatally fizzed to deliver another erratic performance that anxiously locked away the Bledisloe Cup. Securing the coveted Bledisloe for a 22nd straight year ensures the All Blacks trophy cabinet won’t be bare after losing the Freedom Cup and Rugby Championship following successive losses in South Africa.

New Zealand scored four tries in the first 25 minutes and held off a late Australian fightback with 13 men to beat the Wallabies 31-28 in a Rugby Championship thriller at Stadium Australia on Saturday.

The All Blacks have made four changes to their starting line-up ahead of the first Bledisloe Cup test in Sydney against the Wallabies from the team that suffered a 18-12 loss to the Springboks in Cape Town.

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.

New Zealand survive a late rally from Australia to beat the Wallabies 31-28 in the Rugby Championship in Sydney and retain the Bledisloe Cup.