Australia 22 - 23 New Zealand: Late, great All Blacks show
Unrelenting forward pressure after Australia had taken a 22-9 lead into the last quarter resulted in Richie McCaw scampering over the line in the 66th minute. McCaw was playing in his 52nd Test as All Blacks skipper to surpass previous record holder Sean Fitzpatrick.
No.8 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 and stun the greater part of the 70,000-plus fans at the Olympic Stadium in Sydney.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdThe All Blacks defended stoutly in the final minutes to seal their sixth Tri-Nations victory this year and emerge as the first undefeated team since the tournament expanded in 2006.
Australia started well and took a 14-6 lead at the break through three Matt Giteau penalties and a try for winger James O'Connor.
The Wallabies raised hopes of ending their grim losing streak to the All Blacks with a try by Adam Ashley-Cooper and full-back Kurtley Beale kicked a long-range penalty to extend their lead to 22-9 after Weepu had slotted his third penalty to reduce the deficit.
But then came the McCaw-led fightback that turned the game on its head.