New Zealand have retained their Tri-Nations trophy and the Bledisloe Cup after beating Australia 28-24 in a scintillating rugby encounter at Suncorp Stadium, that will go down as one of the all-time classics.
The All Blacks piled on 21 unanswered points in a match-defining seventeen-minute spell during the second half, after trailing 17-7, to clinch the winner-takes-all contest.
The result means New Zealand hang on to an unprecedented fourth consecutive Tri-Nations title as well as holding a 2-1 lead in the Bledisloe Cup series, with a final game in Hong Kong scheduled for November 1.
The Wallabies were going in search of their first Tri-Nations title since 2001 and looked to be on course to end that drought when they led 10-7 at the half-time break, but it wasn't to be.
New Zealand built their challenge on tackle point dominance, patient defence and an accurate kicking game. They excelled in all these facets of play and the Wallabies were reacting to the All Blacks rather than imposing themselves on their visitors for the bulk of the Test.
The hosts did, however, exceed expectations at the set phases, excelling on their own line-out ball and troubling the visitors on theirs, while also achieving parity at scrum time -- and this kept them in the game.
Australia fly-half Matt Giteau had a solid platform from which to orchestrate play, but he struggled initially, kicking poorly and often passing the ball behind those on his outside halting any momentum they had built up.
He wasn't helped by the fact that his side were being dominated at the tackle point and subsequently the breakdowns, ruining the quality of service he received.
But the Wallabies remedied their flaws as the match wore on, committing more cleaners to the rucks and Giteau's potency was amplified, seen by the fact that he was prominent in both their tries either side of half-time.
New Zealand pivot Dan Carter controlled the game well when in possession, blending midfield bombs with good tactical kicks, sniping breaks and good distribution. His cause was aided by some very efficient ruck cleaning, which ensured he received quick ball.
The Wallabies had the better of the opening exchanges with the first seven minutes of the match played exclusively in All Blacks territory.
But the hosts failed to turn pressure into points -- Giteau had the first shot at goal in the fourth minute but failed to convert from 43 metres out.
The visitors finally got their hands on the ball in enemy territory and took almost immediate advantage when full-back Mils Muliaina crossed untouched in the 11th minute.
Some quick thinking from scrum-half Jimmy Cowan off a short-arm penalty put the Wallabies on the back foot and quick hands was all that was needed from New Zealand who made Australia pay for not numbering up in defence.
Carter's conversion made it 7-0 the visitors' way with 15 minutes played.
A string of costly errors and poor skill execution kept the Wallabies scoreless despite enjoying the bulk of possession.
Australia's best opportunity came on the 20-minute mark but again failed to trouble the scoreboard attendant as Wycliff Palu ignored two unmarked men on his outside to bomb an almost certain try.
The Wallaby number eight was unable to make ammends after limping off with a medial ligament injury which may cost him his place in the end-of-season tour.
Australia finally had something to show for their efforts when Giteau slotted a penalty goal from close range after All Blacks captain Richie McCaw was penalised for being offside at the breakdown.
Australia continued to ask questions for the remainder of the half but had to wait until after time had expired to post their first five-pointer of the contest.
A clever Giteau cross-kick found Peter Hynes on the right wing who delivered a clever one-touch pass inside to a streaming Adam Ashley-Cooper who showed tremendous footwork on his way to the tryline.
Giteau's sideline conversion handed the hosts a 10-7 half-time lead.
It took just five minutes for the Wallabies to strike in the second stanza when lock James Horwill barged over on the back of some brilliant lead-up work from Giteau.
The Wallabies playmaker danced through the All Blacks defensive line before linking with replacement forward Richard Brown who was grassed within touching distance of the line.
Giteau finished the job from the ensuing phase drifting across field before throwing the final pass for the charging Horwill for the converted try to extend to a ten-point lead.
New Zealand's response was swift as Conrad Smith found space to send loosehead prop Tony Woodcock in for his side's second try -- Carter's sideline conversion cut the deficit to three points with half an hour to play.
Having denied a sustained attack from the Wallabies, the All Blacks reclaimed the lead in the 62nd minute when Sitiveni Sivivatu found replacement scrumhalf Piri Weepu for the converted try and a 21-17 advantage.
The All Blacks continued to carve up the Wallabies defence, a sustained attack allowing Carter to run around Stirling Mortlock and then bounce off an attempted shoulder charge by Ryan Cross to score the clincher with 12 minutes left.
Victory -- along with the Tri Nations trophy and Bledisloe Cup -- appeared all but assured for Graham Henry's men.
But in a finish worthy of the occasion, a bustling try from former Rugby League star Cross and a last-minute attack by Australia, had the hosts inside the visitors quarter on the last play of the game.
However, the Wallabies couldn't produce the dream finish most of the 52,328-strong crowd had hoped for.
The All Blacks were forced to defend well after the siren had sounded before the turnover finally came and Weepu booted the ball into the stands to claim a famous victory.
Man of the match: There were heroes all over the park. Richie McCaw and Dan Carter served up their class once again, but others played lead roles too. Both half-backs Jimmy Cowan and Piri Weepu had big games, Conrad Smith was a colossus in midfield, Richard Kahui rock solid on his wing, while up front Rodney So'oialo and Jerome Kaino had strong matches. Tony Woodcock shook off a head knock to produce another memorable Test and Ali Williams and Brad Thorn gave it everything. A team award to the All Blacks.
Moment of the match: Tough one to call in a match that had it all. But Ryan Cross' late strike ensured a dramatic finish that will long be remembered by all who witnessed it.
Villain of the match: A fantastic spectacle played in a gentlemanly manner.
The scorers:
For Australia:
Tries: Ashley-Cooper, Horwill, Cross
Cons: Giteau 3
Pen: Giteau
For New Zealand:
Tries: Muliaina, Woodcock, Weepu, Carter
Cons: Carter 4
Australia: 15 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 14 Peter Hynes, 13 Ryan Cross, 12 Stirling Mortlock (c), 11 Lote Tuqiri, 10 Matt Giteau, 9 Sam Cordingley, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 George Smith, 6 Rocky Elsom, 5 Nathan Sharpe, 4 James Horwill, 3 Al Baxter, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Benn Robinson.
Replacements: 16 Adam Freier, 17 Matt Dunning, 18 Hugh McMeniman, 19 Phil Waugh, 20 Richard Brown, 21 Brett Sheehan, 22 Drew Mitchell.
New Zealand: 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Richard Kahui, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Jimmy Cowan, 8 Rodney So'oialo, 7 Richie McCaw (c), 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Ali Williams, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Greg Somerville, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Keven Mealamu, 17 John Afoa/ Neemia Tialata, 18 Anthony Boric, 19 Adam Thomson, 20 Piri Weepu, 21 Stephen Donald, 22 Isaia Toeava.
Referee: Jonathan Kaplan
Touch judges: Craig Joubert, Mark Lawrence
TMO: Johann Meuwesen
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