Auckland, New Zealand – New Zealand set a new record of 18 consecutive wins for a top-tier rugby nation when they beat Australia 37-10 in Auckland on Saturday. AFP Sports looks at five of the most significant matches in the All Blacks' winning streak:
Aug 15, 2015 - Eden Park, Auckland
The historic run began with an emphatic 41-13 win over Australia as the All Blacks put behind them a 27-19 loss to the Wallabies the previous week in Sydney. It was an unforgettable farewell performance at the All Blacks' Eden Park fortress for legends Richie McCaw and Dan Carter before they bowed out of international rugby at the World Cup.
Oct 18, 2015 - Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
A 62-13, nine-try demolition of France saw the All Blacks well and truly bury the demons from when they were stunned by the same opposition on the same ground in the 2007 World Cup quarter-finals. Julian Savea was at his bulldozing best, rampaging over for three tries in a game played with a pace and precision the French could not match.
Oct 25, 2015 - Twickenham, London
A week after trouncing France, the All Blacks had the closest match of their impressive run when they narrowly beat South Africa 20-18 in the World Cup semi-finals. Drop goals are not usually a feature of New Zealand's game but on this occasion, Carter slotted an audacious three-pointer to put them in the final. After out-running France, the All Blacks showed they could also win a game of trench warfare.
Nov 1, 2015 - Twickenham, London
The All Blacks displayed their ability to handle pressure in beating Australia 34-17 to become the first side in history to win back-to-back World Cups. They were only up 21-17 going into the final quarter before unleashing a withering closing burst in which man-of-the-match Carter landed a drop goal and a 50-metre penalty, while Beauden Barrett scored a try.
Oct 9, 2016 - Kings Park, Durban
With 800 caps worth of experience lost from international rugby after the World Cup, the All Blacks wasted no time rebuilding. In their ninth match under new captain Kieran Read, their supreme fitness produced an overwhelming 57-15 scoreline over arch-rivals South Africa. They scored nine tries in their biggest-ever win in 93 tests against the Springboks.
AFP