08-19-2006, 08:40 AM
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Rep Power: 10  | Tri Nations: Relentless All Blacks retains Tri-Nations title
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CLEAN BREAK: Joe Rokocoko leaves Wallabies first-five Stephen Larkham for dust during the All Blacks 34 -27 victory at Eden Park.
All Blacks 34 - Wallabies 27
The All Blacks retained the Tri-Nations title with a stirring fightback victory at Eden Park tonight, condemning the Wallabies to a Bledisloe Cup whitewash at their rugby graveyard.
An irrepressible second-half performance enabled New Zealand to overhaul an 11-20 halftime deficit, with tries by Chris Jack and Luke McAlister sealing New Zealand's retention of the silverware with two tests still to be played in South Africa.
New Zealand surged ahead 31-20 at one stage before a 70th-minute try by Lote Tuqiri, his second for the test, narrowed the difference to four points before New Zealand's defensive screen held firm to leave the Wallabies winless in Auckland since 1986.
A 78th-minute penalty by Dan Carter, after Wallabies flanker Phil Waugh was sinbinned for an early tackle on Ali Williams, iced the win before a capacity crowd of 47,000.
The All Blacks' 14th successive win, and their 21st at home, left New Zealand one match short of equalling England's record of 22 consecutive triumphs on home soil.
All Blacks captain Richie McCaw was a relieved man afterwards.
"We knew the Australians would be desperate and our guys showed a lot of ticker to get out of jail," McCaw said.
He was particularly happy with how his team's lineout performed, in light of New Zealand's problems in that area this year.
"We got the lineout ball we needed under pressure."
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