New Zealand stormed back from 10 points down to beat Australia 28-24 and win their ninth Tri-Nations crown in a pulsating Test at Lang Park yesterday.
The Wallabies looked to be heading for their first Southern Hemisphere crown in seven years with a 17-7 lead early in the second half, only for the All Blacks to surge home in a 21-point flurry.
The Australians battled gamely, but could not withstand the Kiwi onslaught as New Zealand sealed their fourth straight title and sixth in seven years.
The brilliant victory eased pressure on coach Graham Henry and also secured the trans-Tasman Bledisloe Cup for the sixth straight year. New Zealand have a 2-1 series lead with one match remaining.
Yet again it was the All Blacks’ indomitable spirit and resolute character that repulsed the Wallabies, who looked poised to sweep to victory after tries either side of halftime.
But the New Zealanders hit back with tries by prop Tony Woodcock, replacement Piri Weepu and Dan Carter, whose immaculate goal kicking landed all four conversions.
Australia, under New Zealand coach Robbie Deans, finished with tries to Adam Ashley-Cooper, James Horwill and Ryan Cross, while Matt Giteau landed three conversions and a penalty.
New Zealand, who are now unbeaten at Lang Park in three matches, dominated the opening half with aggressive defense and control of the breakdown, scoring a try in the 12th minute through full-back Mils Muliaina.
Scrum-half Jimmy Cowan wrong-footed the Australians with a quick tap-kick and the All Blacks made the Wallabies pay when they flung the ball quickly along the line to Muliaina, who charged over untouched out wide.
The Wallabies monopolized possession 60 percent to 40 percent, but were unable to turn it into points as they were stonewalled by stout defending, including against one 12-phase attack on the New Zealand line.
Giteau kicked a 23rd-minute penalty, but the Wallabies lost No. 8 Wycliff Palu with a knee ligament injury late in the half, giving Richard Brown his international debut.
Near halftime the Wallabies had their best moment after winger Peter Hynes seized on a Giteau cross-field kick and got the ball away in the tackle to full-back Ashley-Cooper.
Ashley-Cooper beat off the combined tackle of Conrad Smith and Muliaina to scamper over on the wing, with Guiteau’s conversion giving Australia a 10-7 halftime advantage.
The Wallabies had a 10-point lead five minutes after the resumption, with Giteau twice involved in consecutive phases before lock Horwill crashed over in Carter and Sitiveni Sivivatu’s tackle.
Giteau converted from out wide to stretch the advantage to 17-7, but the All Blacks hit back minutes later.
The Wallabies turned over a kick and New Zealand got the ball out wide for Smith to send prop Woodcock sprinting for the left corner. Carter converted for the All Blacks to trail 17-14 after 50 minutes.
The Australians pummeled the All Black line, but the Kiwis again held firm before lifting their tempo.
Rodney So’oialo broke the line, setting up a try for replacement scrum-half Piri Weepu, and Carter crossed five minutes later to clinch the match.
Center Ryan Cross scored a consolation try in the final minutes, but time ran out for the Wallabies to reel in the All Blacks.
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