New Zealand Beats Australia 13-9, Retains Rugby's Bledisloe Cup

July 29 (Bloomberg) -- New Zealand beat Australia 13-9 to retain the Bledisloe Cup and extend its lead in rugby's Tri- Nations to seven points with a third straight victory.

All Blacks winger Joe Rokocoko scored the only try of the game at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium as the Wallabies failed to breach their opponent's defense for the first time in four years.

Top-ranked New Zealand repelled several attacks in the closing stages to take a 2-0 lead in the three-Test series for the Bledisloe Cup, contested annually against Australia. The All Blacks head the Tri-Nations standings with 13 points and have another home match before playing two games in South Africa.

``We had to dig pretty deep near the end,'' All Blacks captain Richie McCaw told Fox Sports. ``The Wallabies threw everything at it and we're just happy to come out on top.''

Australia, which two weeks ago ran in six tries at Suncorp Stadium in a record 49-0 win over the Springboks, was kept try- less for the first time since November 2002 even after spending more than five minutes in the final attacking quarter. New Zealand spent just 46 seconds in Australia's 22.

Rokocoko was the only player to touch down after bursting down the left touchline on a solo run in the 10th minute. New Zealand fly-half Daniel Carter kicked a penalty, drop goal and conversion, while Stirling Mortlock booted Australia's points.

``Both teams showed pretty good defense, we struggled to get across the line,'' McCaw added. ``Test matches are about taking opportunities and we took that one in the first half.''

Seeking Seventh Title

Australia's Phil Waugh and Matt Giteau both charged at the line in the last 10 minutes and Mark Gerrard spilled the ball after 12 phases. Wallabies fly-half Stephen Larkham threw a pass out of bounds when he had three men outside him.

``We got into that red zone and turned it over three or four times,'' Wallabies coach John Connolly said at a televised news conference. ``It was a game we could have won.''

New Zealand, seeking a record-extending seventh Tri-Nations title in 11 editions, beat Australia 32-12 in the series opener before defeating South Africa 35-17 seven days ago.

The Wallabies, who have now lost seven of their last nine Tests against the All Blacks, host the Springboks in Sydney next weekend.