All Blacks break record — and the hearts of fuming Wallabies fans
The Aussies may be filthy — but tributes flowed last night for our mighty men in black after their recordsetting 18th successive test win.
Kieran Read’s rugby heroes rewrote the record books, to set the new tier-one test record by beating the Wallabies 37-10 at Eden Park.
A sell-out crowd of 47,744 was on hand to witness history being made, but not everyone was celebrating.
Many fans from across the Tasman — and pundits from New Zealand — hit out at a TMO’s decision not to award the Wallabies a try when they looked to have the ABs on the ropes early in the second half.
The controversial call also left Wallabies coach Michael Cheika and his players fuming.
The All Blacks’ record-breaking run began at Eden Park when the All Blacks walloped the Wallabies 41-13 in August last year.
Last night, fans of the men in black, Kiwi celebs and some of the greats of the game took to Twitter to heap praise on the team as they marched towards the 18-game milestone.
Former All Black captain Sean Fitzpatrick: “Congratulations 2 @AllBlacks on the record 18 consecutive wins. I suspect there will be a few more added 2 the total by this outstanding team”.
The Sharks’ franchise: “Congrats to @AllBlacks who have set a new world record for consecutive international victories by a tier-one nation with their 18th win!”
British & Irish Lions verified account: “Great contest from both sides. Congratulations @AllBlacks on your achievement.”
adidas Rugby: “18 and undefeated for the @AllBlacks. A new world record but now it’s onto the North. Who can stop the #ForceOfBlack?”
Irish Rugby Union: “@AllBlacks Congratulations on an incredible winning run.”
Former Wallaby Stirling Mortlock: “agree on the #disgraceful decision. #Savea was meters behind play, however didn’t effect the outcome @AllBlacks #toogood.”
Australian commentator Greg Clark: “Congrats All Blacks on 18th straight win. New tier one record and they wrap up the Series 3-0.”
All Black fan Mariner Collins: “New Tui ad by Michael Cheika. ‘This Wallabies team will beat the @allblacks at Eden Park’. YEAH RIGHT”.
Former All Black Neemia Tialata: “Congrats to Redo and the boys @AllBlacks #History #NZLv AUS Proud #AB1060”.
South African cricketing great Allan Donald: “Simply have to applaud the way these men play there rugby. Outrages skill and flair, so bloody good to watch [sic]”.
British journalist Mike Selvey: “The idea that All Blacks might be diminished with retirement of mega stars appears to have been premature.”
And the All Blacks hashtag also trended highly on Twitter when the Wallabies had what appeared to be a try disallowed by the TMO.
Broadcaster Scotty Stevenson: “Oh dear lord. That is a shocker.”
The mood didn’t improve after the game with Cheika and his captain Stephen Moore hitting out at a Week
end Herald cartoon which dressed the coach up as a clown.
“They dressed us up as clowns today so I don't think they would respect our comment,” Cheika told the post-match press conference.
He also said he felt he had been accused of planting the mystery bug that had been found in the ABs’ Sydney hotel during the Rugby Championship.
“I wouldn’t be smart enough to get that sort of stuff organised,” he said.
Cheika signed off about a lack of an invite from the All Blacks to have a post-match beer.