New Zealand capped a stellar year by beating Scotland 29-10 to secure a Grand Slam, France held off South Africa 26-20, and Wales topped Australia 24-22 in rugby internationals on Saturday.
"We could have played better," New Zealand coach Graham Henry said. "It's a long year. We expect perfection on the pitch but sometimes we don't achieve that."
This year, the All Blacks won the Tri-Nations, retained the Bledisloe Cup against Australia, and trounced the British and Irish Lions 3-0. They've won 11 of 12 tests.
PHOTO: AP
Also on Saturday, England scored five tries to nil in beating Samoa 40-3 in a match marred by a late brawl, Italy beat Fiji 23-8 under snow in Monza, and Ireland accounted for Romania 43-12 in Dublin.
New Zealand, with only two starters backing up from the win over England last weekend, always looked like winners at a chilly Murrayfield but Scotland's defense limited the visitors to a 22-3 lead at halftime. Winger Rico Gear, who scored three tries against Wales, raced in for his second late against Scotland, whose pride was rewarded with a last-minute converted try for replacement Simon Webster.
All Blacks captain Tana Umaga, reportedly set to retire, said he would enjoy his team's achievements before thinking about whether he's finished playing.
"I'm just going to enjoy what we've achieved today," Umaga said. "I feel good and my body feels good so we'll have to wait and see what happens. Who knows when I'll make a decision?"
In Saint-Denis, France completed its own sweep in beating South Africa, following wins this month over Australia, Canada and Tonga. It was the only northern hemisphere host to beat two of the southern powers, giving it a major boost for the Six Nations early next year.
Tries by prop Dimitri Szarzewski and flyhalf Frederic Michalak helped stake France to a 15-0 lead in as many minutes. Aurelien Rougerie's stylish try made it 23-10 in the third quarter, and South Africa struggled to catch up. Jaque Fourie finished working a wonderful move with Meyer Bosman for the Springboks to close within six points five minutes from time.
Ending the year even
France's win, only its ninth in 35 meetings with South Africa, meant each side ended the year with a win, loss and draw against each other.
In Cardiff, Wales beat Australia for the first time since the 1987 World Cup third-place playoff.
Wales scored only two tries to three, but dominated possession and allowed flyhalf Stephen Jones to kick 14 points. Wales received a penalty try for crushing Australia's scrum, beginning its second-half comeback from 14-6 down.
Australia had a chance to draw after Chris Latham's 73rd-minute try, but Mat Rogers' conversion attempt missed.
"What this team has is a lot of tenacity," Wales' Colin Charvis said. "When we won the Six Nations we came from behind a few times and we've done it again today."
At Twickenham, Tom Voyce scored two of England's five tries against Samoa in his first international start. Also crossing the line were scrumhalf Harry Ellis, replacement winger Tom Varndell on debut, and flyhalf Charlie Hodgson, who also booted over 15 points.
"It was a mixed one today," England captain Martin Corry said.
"It's a great scoreline and our defense was a big plus but, are we the finished article? No, we're not."
With five minutes left, a scuffle turned into a brawl after Samoa's Alesana Tuilagi upended airborne England winger Mark Cueto.
Touch judge Malcolm Changleng intervened, and referee Mark Lawrence sent off Tuilagi for the tackle. Lewis Moody was shown a red card for punching in the scuffle, becoming the first England player to be sent off in a test at Twickenham.
"You can't condone it when punches are thrown. Lewis went to stick up for Mark and he [Cueto] got punched and it all kicked off. It was a shame," England coach Andy Robinson said.
In Monza, Italy's forwards set up an easy win over Fiji in falling snow at Stadio Brianteo.
Italy hooker Fabio Ongaro scored in a rolling maul and center Mirco Bergamasco picked up a grubber kick. Ramiro Pez converted both and added three penalty kicks.
Fiji struggled to set up a platform throughout, and fullback Norman Ligairi scored its only try around the hour mark.
In Dublin, Petre Mitu kicked Romania ahead and then was overwhelmed by Ireland's six tries, five of them converted by David Humphreys.
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