A perfect finish to the perfect
year.
In a finale that mirrored the
dramas of the rugby league Kiwis just 24 hours earlier, it took the All Blacks
until the final minute of a glorious test match to clinch a 24-22 victory over
the gallant and desperately unlucky Irish.
In a conclusion that almost
defied belief, the All Blacks conjured an 80th-minute try from 65 metres out to
replacement back Ryan Crotty to level the scores at 22-22, then had to watch as
an ice-cool Aaron Cruden required two shots at a near sideline conversion to
snatch an epic victory.
It was a finish that sapped the
life out of the capacity 52,000-strong crowd who had been at full voice all
afternoon as they roared their team to what they thought was going to be a
history-making victory.
It would have been no less than a
fabulously committed Irish side would have deserved either.
But it was not to be, and you had
to admire the All Blacks' nerve at the end as they kept their cool to snatch a
win that racks up the first ever perfect test season in the professional era.
Yes, the 14-0 season was
achieved, but by the narrowest margin possible.
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