5 classic clashes between New Zealand and Australia

New Zealand 41 - 33 Australia, 19 October 2013

When you score 33 points against the All Blacks many head coaches and players would feel that would be good enough to win the game. Unfortunately that was not the case for the Wallabies when they came undone in Dunedin in 2013. Despite tries from Adam Ashley-Cooper, Matt Toomua and Tevita Kuridrani the Wallabies conceded 41 points in what was an impressive performance from the All Blacks who were in control for most of the game.

Australia 25 - 20 New Zealand, 27 August 2011

These two sides have met in many winner takes all games and we were treated to one in 2011 when the Wallabies welcomed the All Blacks to the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane for a Tri-Nations decider. 40 minutes into the game and the Wallabies looked to have the champagne on ice as they lead 20-3 thanks the boot of Quade Cooper and tries from Will Genia and a stunning individual try from Radike Samo. However the All Blacks never know when they are beaten and tied up the game with 20 minutes to go with Conrad Smith and Ma’a Nonu finding a way past the Wallaby defence. Just as New Zealand were looking like turning this game around from the restart Will Genia found a gap and ran clear with the ball eventually finding Kurtley Beale who touched down in the corner in what turned out to be the winning score for the Wallabies as they were crowned Tri-Nations champions.

Australia 35 - 39 New Zealand, 15 July 2000

In what has been called the greatest ever game of Rugby ever played New Zealand travelled to Stadium Australia in Sydney to take on the Wallabies in the opening game of the Tri Nations in 2000. In front of a record crowd the All Blacks stormed into a 24-0 lead as early as the 10th minute however the Wallabies replied with four tries before the break with Chris Latham, Joe Roff and a double from Stirling Mortlock tieing up the game at 24-24.  New Zealand began the second half like they started the first with Justin Marshall going over in the corner to put them back in front and that lead lasted until the 77th minute with Jeremy Paul went over the whitewash in what seemed certain to be the winning score. Just as the Wallabies looked certain to celebrate an opening round win, New Zealand were able to secure the win with Jonah Lomu skipping past the tackle of Larkham to seal the win for the All Blacks.

Australia 29 - 26 New Zealand, 1 September 2011

New Zealand and Australia games have always had plenty of drama late on and that was the case in the 2001 Tri-Nations decider. With the All Blacks leading by 4 with two minutes to go they faced a lineout 7 metres from their own tryline as they looked to hold onto their lead and prevent the Wallabies from consecutive Tri-Nation wins. As the clock ticked near the 80 minute mark the Wallabies were able to find a matchwinner in Totai Kefu who was able to shrug off many All Black tacklers and touch down as the Wallabies reclaimed the Tri-Nations.

In 2006 the All Blacks and the Wallabies produced another high scoring affair when the two sides met at Eden Park. Having lost the two previous game to the All Blacks the Wallabies were looking to avoid a clean sweep of defeats, while a win for the All Blacks would secure them the Tri-Nations and the Bledisloe Cup. As we made our way into the second half the Wallabies were looking like spoiling the party as they led 20-11 only for the All Blacks to step it up a gear with tries from Chris Jack and Luke McAlister and the impressive boot from Dan Carter sealing a 34-27 win for the All Blacks.