Five great NZ-Aus matches
Here are five of their most memorable matches:
1978 – New Zealand 16 Australia 30
Queensland backrower Greg Cornelsen became the only player from any country to score four tries in a Test against the All Blacks, and scored the only four of his international career as an inspired Australia knocked over New Zealand in Auckland.
The All Blacks were already two matches up before the third and final Test. Wallaby coach Daryl Haberecht, inventor of the up-the-jumper move which was quickly outlawed, suffered a heart attack before the match and ace kicker Paul McLean was sidelined by injury.
Yet despite the stacked odds, the Wallabies managed what was then an Australian record 30 points against the All Blacks with Cornelsen on hand to finish off four of their five tries.
1994 – Australia 20 New Zealand 16
A Test that takes its place in history because of one tackle.
Australia led 17-6 at half-time in Sydney before New Zealand took control. With seconds remaining it appeared they would overhaul the Wallabies when Jeff Wilson, in only his third Test, beat three defenders and dived for what could have been a match-winning try.
But in mid-air he was tackled by the equally raw George Gregan, in his fourth Test, who managed to knock the ball out of Wilson's hands.
The tackle remains one of the most viewed moments in rugby history.
1996 – New Zealand 43 Australia 6
A howling southerly storm blasted Wellington's Athletic Park turning it into a quagmire. Yet, the All Blacks celebrated the dawn of the professional era with a display of free-flowing rugby.
They scored six tries in a near flawless display.
The game was into its 25th minute in the appalling conditions before the first pass went to ground as the All Blacks, with 10 survivors from the World Cup final the previous year, refused to slow down.
Michael Jones, Christian Cullen, Justin Marshall, Zinzan Brooke, Jeff Wilson and Jonah Lomu scored tries, Andrew Mehrtens kicked two conversions and three penalties while Australia were limited to two Matt Burke penalties.
2000 – Australia 35 New Zealand 39
A world record rugby crowd of 109,874 packed Sydney's Olympic Stadium to see the All Blacks score three tries and kick a penalty to lead 24-0 after 10 minutes.
Rather than lose heart, Australia rallied to draw level 24-all before half-time.
High-octane play continued through the second half with a try by Jeremy Paul five minutes from time snatching a 35-34 lead for the Wallabies.
It remains Australia's record high score against the All Blacks.
But the All Blacks refused to concede and with time up Jonah Lomu stormed through a Stephen Larkham tackle to score the 10th try of the match and claim the honours for the All Blacks.
2014 – New Zealand 51 Australia 20
The All Blacks highest score against the Wallabies came as they rebounded from a 12-all draw in Sydney the previous week.
The Wallabies were confident they were on the verge of cracking the All Blacks in their Eden Park fortress in Auckland.
They made the perfect start when Kurtley Beale kicked a penalty goal in the opening minute but from then on they found themselves on the receiving end of a six-tries-to-two drubbing.
A year out from the World Cup and the All Blacks, branded too old after the Sydney draw, had answered their critics.
They led 23-6 at half-time then put the hammer down with three tries in the first 10 minutes of the second half to have the game well under control.
Agence France-Presse
