Savea surge seals Blacks’ record run
New Zealand .... 37pts Tries: Dagg 6, Lienert-Brown 10, Perenara 34, Savea 54, 69, Coles 73 Conversions: Cruden 55, 70 Penalties: Cruden 65 Australia .............. 10pts Tries: Arnold 28 Conversions: Foley 30 Penalties: Foley 43
JULIAN SAVEA’S late burst ended Australian resistance as the All Blacks claimed a world-record 18th consecutive victory with a crushing 37-10 win in Auckland.
The tense affair at Eden Park was in the balance until Savea’s game-changing effort in the second half, scoring two tries and setting up a third.
The victory sees Steve Hansen’s side surpass the top-tier record winning streak of 17 Tests set by the All Blacks of 1965-1969 and matched twice since.
“I think it will sink in later on but I’m really stoked,” said New Zealand captain Kieran Read. “It took 30-odd minutes before we opened them up so I’m proud of the lads.”
The All Blacks hit the front in the fifth minute when Israel Dagg scored and they never surrendered the lead, but for long periods Australia dictated terms and only stout defence earned the All Blacks their place in history.
They were ahead only 15-10 with 25 mintes to go after Australia had had Henry Speight’s try disallowed by the TV match official after refere Nigel Owens had awarded the points. The TV official judged that Dane HaylettPetty blocked Julian Savea as he chased Speight.
The All Blacks then found another gear and Savea’s efforts sealed the victory. Anton LienertBrown, TJ Perenara and Dane Coles crossed for the other New Zealand tries.
Aaron Cruden, brought off the bench early in the second half after Beauden Barrett missed the first three conversions, added seven points with the boot. Rory Arnold scored Australia’s only try with Bernard Foley adding a conversion and penalty.
The Test record caps a remarkable 12 months in which the All Blacks became the first team to successfully defend the World Cup, retained the Bledisloe Cup for a 14th consecutive year and won the Rugby Championship for the fourth time in five years.
Since Hansen took over after the the 2011 World Cup, the side have lost only three of 64 matches.
The Wallabies had the first opportunity to score only for Foley to hook a penalty and the All Blacks responded immediately.
Ben Smith ran around Reece Hodge to put Dagg over and four minutes later Lienert-Brown, taking a short pass from Ryan Crotty, zipped past Samu Kerevi for the second.
Arnold replied for Australia but the All Blacks struck back immediately with scrum-half Perenara charging down a Hodge clearing kick, regathering and running in to score.
Foley landed a penalty early in the second half and Australia continued to keep pressure on the All Blacks until Smith broke out from his own 22 and set up Savea’s first try.
The big wing smashed through Speight and Nick Frisby for his second and then sent Coles over.