New Zealand overpowered Australia in the second half to clinch a hard-fought 23-22 victory on Saturday to sweep the Tri-Nations and notch a record 10th consecutive win over the Wallabies.
Trailing 22-9 in the last quarter, Richie McCaw celebrated surpassing Sean Fitzpatrick as the All Blacks’ most-capped skipper in his 52nd Test by scampering over the line at the 66th minute to spark the fightback.
Kieran Read barged over the line minutes later and Piri Weepu, laser-accurate all night, converted to put the All Blacks a point up with six minutes left.
The All Blacks defended stoutly in the final minutes to seal the victory, their sixth in the Tri-Nations, which made them the first team to emerge undefeated from the southern hemisphere tournament since it was expanded by two matches for each side in 2006. – Reuters