All Blacks hold out Wallabies to take Tri Nations title

The All Blacks won the Tri Nations by beating the Wallabies in Brisbane by 24 points to 28. The result also wrapped up the Bledisloe Cup even though the teams will still meet in Hong Kong later in the year (November1).

It wasn't plain sailing for the All Blacks though as just after half time the Wallabies scored what looked to be a crucial try which was converted by Matt Giteau. That took the score to 17-7 and the All Blacks looked like they could be out of it.

Moments later however Conrad Smith broke a tackle and sent Tony Woodcock in on the wing for a try and the All Blacks had started their comeback.

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 in Hong Kong.

"It was a marvellous competition and a great game of rugby, either side could have won," Henry said.

"I have a huge amount of respect for what the guys have done. They showed a lot of guts and togetherness to come back from 10 points down, so I am exceptionally proud of the boys."

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 half-time.

But the New Zealanders hit back with tries by prop Tony Woodcock, replacement Piri Weepu and fly-half Dan Carter, who landed all four conversions with immaculate goal-kicking.

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.

"We gave it a fair crack and came up just short," Deans said. "I was delighted with their effort tonight to build a lot of pressure but we couldn't convert that into points.

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 monopolised possession 60-40 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 number eight Wycliff Palu with a knee ligament injury late in the half, giving Richard Brown his international debut.

Near half-time the Wallabies had their best moment after right-winger Peter Hynes seized on a Giteau crossfield kick and got the ball away in the tackle to fullback 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 half-time 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.

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 pummelled the All Black line but the Kiwis again held firm before lifting their tempo.

Number eight 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.

Scorers

Teams (15 to 1)

Australia -Adam Ashley-Cooper; Peter Hynes, Ryan Cross, Stirling Mortlock (captain), Lote Tuqiri; Matt Giteau, Sam Cordingley; Wycliff Palu, George Smith, Rocky Elsom; Nathan Sharpe, James Horwill; Al Baxter, Stephen Moore, Benn Robinson.

Reserves: Adam Freier, Matt Dunning, Hugh McMeniman, Phil Waugh, Richard Brown, Brett Sheehan, Drew Mitchell.

New Zealand - Mils Muliaina; Richard Kahui, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Sitiveni Sivivatu; Dan Carter, Jimmy Cowan; Rodney So'oialo, Richie McCaw (captain), Jerome Kaino; Ali Williams, Brad Thorn; Greg Somerville, Andrew Hore, Tony Woodcock.