McGregor/Mayweather has competition for the title of sporting event most worth getting up early for.
New Zealand and Australia met in the Rugby Championship in Dunedin today, and served up a crackling, sizzling classic. Having been blown away in the early stages last week, the Wallabies exploded out of the traps. They flew into a 17-0 lead, only for the All Blacks to gnaw away at their lead as only New Zealand can: they managed to head to the dressing rooms at half time just three points down.
If McGregor and Mayweather trade as many blows tonight as these two sides did in the second half then they money fight will be worth the investment.
This was vibrant, thrilling stuff and the final quarter went nuclear. Barrett touched down on the hour mark to give the All Blacks the lead, only for Australia to regain it five minutes later through a Will Genia try. Three minutes later, New Zealand led again: Ben Smith touching down.
The Wallabies weren't finished: Kurtley Beale ran in under the posts just four minutes from time to give Australia a one-point lead, and two minutes to defend it.
But New Zealand weren't finished: a sweeping move ended with Beauden Barrett touching down for a last minute try, to give New Zealand a 35-29 victory.
Here's the dramatic final score:
One of the best tries you will ever see in Test rugby pic.twitter.com/BYrBQSOuQy #NZLvAUS
— TheRugbyPaper (@TheRugbyPaper) August 26, 2017
Here's a slice of the reaction:
One of the best test matches I've seen. Unreal. Beauden Barrett, you're a freak. #NZLvAUS
— MOOD¥ (@antimoody) August 26, 2017
https://twitter.com/Davidcampese11
Congrats @AllBlacks on winning the Bledisloe again but so proud of the @qantaswallabies who went very close to pulling off an amazing upset
— Greg Clark (@greg_clarkie) August 26, 2017
Best Bledisloe in 10 years?
— Alex Shaw (@alexshawsport) August 26, 2017
Phenomenal Bledisloe Cup test. The pace and intensity was unreal! Wallabies would have beaten anyone else in the world playing like that
— Steffan Thomas (@Steffan_Thomas1) August 26, 2017
Genuinely, I'm struggling to think of many better test matches than that in my lifetime - had absolutely everything #NZLvAUS
— Josh Gardner (@joshgardner) August 26, 2017
