/ 13 September 2008

All Blacks retain Tri-Nations with win over Wallabies

The New Zealand All Blacks claimed their ninth Tri-Nations title and their fourth in a row when they beat Australia 28-24 on Saturday.

Trailing 7-10 at half-time, the All Blacks stormed back to score three converted tries in the second half and overrun a tiring Australian outfit.

Australia battled bravely throughout and enjoyed long periods in attack but could never break clear of their arch-rivals, and once the All Blacks sensed they had the better of the Wallabies, they gradually took control.

Flyhalf Dan Carter scored the winning try with 12 minutes left, although Australia kept the 52 000 fans on the edge of their seats when they crossed with two minutes to go to get to within four points.

But it was too little too late as New Zealand took out both the Tri-nations title and the Bledisloe Cup. — Reuters