Lock Chris Jack and centre Luke McAlister scored late tries to give New Zealand a 34-27 victory over Australia on Saturday, sealing the All Blacks' seventh Tri-Nations title. The win ensured the All Blacks head to South Africa for their final two matches with an unassailable six-point lead.
Australia have 11 points with one match remaining while South Africa prop up the table with one point. "We are pleased to have wrapped up the Tri-Nations after four games out of six," said All Blacks coach Graham Henry. "The boys played exceptional football in the second half after being nine points down and they showed heart and character and played very well."
After Stirling Mortlock and Daniel Carter traded two penalties apiece, Lote Tuqiri grabbed the first of his two tries with an interception and Mortlock's conversion gave the Wallabies a 13-6 lead.
Tuqiri, however, blotted his copybook with what looked like a spear tackle on New Zealand captain Richie McCaw, who was the target for some robust play by the Australians at the breakdown.
"I got a bit of a fright," said McCaw of the tackle. "I guess that is what happens when you end up upside down." Both sides seemed content to spin the ball at every opportunity, though the All Blacks had problems at the breakdown, where the Australians were more combative.