All Blacks seal Tri-Nations title

AUCKLAND – The New Zealand All Blacks ground out a 34-24 win over an injury-ravaged Australian Wallabies at Eden Park here Saturday to win the Tri-Nations rugby series for the sixth time in the 10-year history of the championship.

However, it was not the convincing win they had hoped for, despite a commanding forward effort and a 20-0 lead after 20 minutes. Just as they did against South Africa the previous week, the All Blacks struggled to maintain momentum in the second half and 10 minutes after the turn the never-say-die Australians had narrowed the gap to 20-19.But they were destined never to hit the front, and the All Blacks ended the series with three wins from four matches, the same record as South Africa, but they took the crown by virtue of more bonus points.Before a capacity crowd of 45 000, the All Blacks’ forwards had too much power for the Wallabies and they dominated set pieces and second phase play.But much of the possession was kicked away, and there were four tries apiece in the game, three to All Blacks right wing Doug Howlett.Halfback and captain George Gregan, who equalled England prop Jason Leonard’s record of 114 Tests, was subbed off with six minutes remaining, and the loss is likely to add further fuel to the growing army of Australian supporters baying for his head.-Nampa-AFPJust as they did against South Africa the previous week, the All Blacks struggled to maintain momentum in the second half and 10 minutes after the turn the never-say-die Australians had narrowed the gap to 20-19.But they were destined never to hit the front, and the All Blacks ended the series with three wins from four matches, the same record as South Africa, but they took the crown by virtue of more bonus points.Before a capacity crowd of 45 000, the All Blacks’ forwards had too much power for the Wallabies and they dominated set pieces and second phase play.But much of the possession was kicked away, and there were four tries apiece in the game, three to All Blacks right wing Doug Howlett.Halfback and captain George Gregan, who equalled England prop Jason Leonard’s record of 114 Tests, was subbed off with six minutes remaining, and the loss is likely to add further fuel to the growing army of Australian supporters baying for his head.-Nampa-AFP