All Blacks grab record with win No. 18
NeW ZeAlAND 37 AusTRAliA 10
NEW ZEALAND clinched a record-breaking 18th consecutive victory at Eden Park yesterday.
Julian Savea scored a pair of tries as the All Blacks were made to fight for the record win.
The visitors managed to un-nerve the world champions but TJ Perenara and Savea both crossed when Australia had been threatening as they sought a first win in Auckland for 30 years.
The visitors were also left to rue a controversial disallowed Henry Speight try in the second half when the television official harshly ruled that Dane Haylett-Petty had blocked the chasing Savea.
Australia would have drawn level at 15-15, with a conversion to come.
It proved a pivotal moment as soon after the All Blacks produced a swift counter-attack when under pressure that ended with Savea under the posts.
Australia’s resistance was broken and Savea added his second try before handing off to Dane Coles just before the line to blow out the final scoreline.
Steve Hansen’s men had already wrapped up the Bledisloe Cup, and Rugby Championship, even before their stunning 57-17 blitz of South Africa in Durban earlier this month saw them draw level with the world record for consecutive wins against tierone opposition.