Wallabies win Tri-Nations Series

Australia 29-26 New Zealand

Australia 29-26 New Zealand

Toutai Kefu scored a last-minute try to give Australia a thrilling 29-26 win over New Zealand in today's Tri-Nations decider at the Olympic stadium in Sydney.

Kefu wriggled his way over to score the match winner next to the posts to allow Australia to retain the Tri-Nations trophy and send their retiring captain John Eales out as a winner.

Australia had looked to be heading towards certain victory when they opened up a commanding 19-6 lead by half-time after a try by Chris Latham and four penalties and a conversion from Matthew Burke.

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But New Zealand stormed back into the match with tries from Doug Howlett and Pita Alatini within the first 10 minutes of the second half.

Andrew Mehrtens converted both tries and also kicked four penalties as the All Blacks opened up a seven point lead with 12 minutes to go before Australia stole the match.

Replacement Andrew Walker booted a penalty to cut the deficit to four points before Kefu sealed the win with his late try.

Teams:

Australia: Burke, Latham, Herbert, Grey, Roff, Larkham, Gregan, Stiles, Foley, Moore, Giffin, Eales, Finegan, G. Smith, Kefu. Replacements: Cannon, Darwin, Cockbain, P. Waugh, Whitaker, Flatley, Walker.

New Zealand: MacDonald, Howlett, Umaga, Alatini, Lomu, Mehrtens, Kelleher, Hoeft, Oliver, Somerville, Jack, Maxwell, Flavell, Randell, Cribb. Replacements: Hammett, Hayman, Cooksley, Holah, Marshall, T. Brown, Cullen.

Referee: Tappe Henning (South Africa)

Result