The All Blacks survived a momentous scare from Ireland before scoring a try in injury time to snatch a 24-22 win in Dublin and complete a perfect season.
With New Zealand trailing 22-17, reserve centre Ryan Crotty crossed 90 seconds after the final hooter and five-eighth Aaron Cruden slotted a sideline conversion.
It was the first time the All Blacks led a breathtaking Test, which Ireland led 19-0 after 18 minutes.
The hosts appeared on course to win their first Test over New Zealand in 108 years up until the final movement of the game.
Ireland held possession with less than a minute to play but conceded a penalty in New Zealand’s half.
The world champions showed their composure, holding onto the ball as they ground downfield before reserve hooker Dane Coles popped a pass to Crotty, who crossed in the left corner.
The try was analysed for nearly five minutes by English third match official Graham Hughes, who eventually ruled Coles’ pass wasn’t forward, prompting deafening boos from the 51,000 capacity crowd at Aviva Stadium.
With the scores level, there was more drama as Cruden missed his initial conversion attempt.
However, Welsh referee Nigel Owen deemed Ireland had charged at the kick too early and allowed the No.10 a second chance, which he slotted.
By avoiding one of the great Test rugby upsets, New Zealand compete the season with 14 wins from as many games, becoming the first team in the 18-year professional era to produce a 100 per cent record.
Their last performance was an error-strewn one against the world No.7-ranked opponents who played with far more commitment, particularly heading into halftime with a 22-7 advantage.
Ireland’s performance was a stark contrast from their 60-0 loss when they last played the All Blacks in Hamilton 17 months ago and from the listless 32-15 loss to Australia last weekend.
New Zealand improved their record against Ireland to 27 wins and one draw from 28 Tests, ending a European trip in which they never hit their straps, scraping past France 26-19 and England 30-22.
Irish halfback Conor Murray barged through three All Black tight forwards to open the scoring in the fifth minute after a ferocious opening from the home pack.
Hooker Rory Best ploughed across in similar fashion soon afterwards and fullback Rob Kearney put Ireland 19-0 ahead in the 18th minute when he scored a 75m try after opposite Israel Dagg spilled possession.
The All Blacks crossed through winger Julian Savea, courtesy of a neat Cruden cross kick, but Sexton’s first penalty kept momentum going for the hosts heading into halftime.
A Cruden penalty and converted try to reserve prop Ben Franks in the 65th minute after a series of All Black drives set up a thrilling finish.
Sexton missed a penalty in the 73rd minute which would have put his team two scores ahead before setting up Crotty’s try with a heady mix of desperation and accuracy.
joel
Guest
Haha probably the most insightful comment I've read on here - Well done Ireland - great game - Go the All Blacks!!
ScotandProud
Guest
"Ireland made the mistake of trying to shut up shop at 55 minutes." Agree 100%.
Just_win
Guest
Hi Tane Mahuta & Wardad! In the first half ABs had the ball for only 7 minutes and five seconds. The final passage of play by the All Blacks you was their longest sequence in the match (1 minute and 51 seconds) Which they started 12 meters inside Their own half. The ball was handled 33 times, including 24 passes, along with the setting and winning of 11 rucks. All but two of the All Blacks (Richie McCaw and Brodie Retallick) handled the ball during that passage of play. Goes to show, they were starved of the ball but when they got it and when it counted they played error free rugby with 13 players handling the ball in the last passage of play leading to the try. Well done boys! Excellence when it was needed most & delivered under the most pressure. Champions getting it done! Congrats to the Irish & their fans, you guys came to play & were so close. What a game you all gave us!
philip o'donovan
Guest
A fantastic game of rugby,played by two pasionate sides.Brilliant crowd that showed wonderful respect for both teams(sadly not the case in Southern Hemisphere) and wonderful unbiased commentary,so totally unlike Fox's team in particular Phil Kearns.A man so one eyed he has never seen an Australian team commit an offence.Puts Cyclops to shame.
atlas
Guest
I've witnessed it once - and I was the ref - at high school level, and like this one, second attempt went over; first time I've ever seen it anywhere else. A good/fair charge is something i enjoy - think of Habana's run that got a charge-down on Beauden Barrett's conversion attempt in Super rugby this year - Stormers won 18-16.
AWCMONREF
Guest
:)
Jerry
Guest
I can remember it happening, I've seen a few early charges before. What Ireland should probably have done (both on full time and for the conversion of Franks try) is follow through when they've come early. Even if the ref has spotted it, why give the guy two cracks? Keep going and kick the ball off the f'ing tee so he doesn't get a free shot! Also, Ireland wouldn't have won even if the last conversion had missed.
Aussie lost in Aoteearoa
Guest
That is just too cruel. I can't remember when a ref gave a kicker a second chance in a rugby test before. Ireland won!
Mike
Guest
Well done Ireland. Not sure where they were last week, but this was outstanding. its not as though the ABs played badly.
AWCMONREF
Guest
Thanks Pot Hale didn't see that happen, haha 2 fantastic players/captains not getting on, who would've thunk :)
Jerry
Guest
The thing about Thorn is that he's pretty tall (not that tall for a test lock but tall for a regular guy) and isn't built like a tall guy. I remember once the AB's were in Wgtn playing a test and I was waiting for a bus on Lampton Quay and I saw this guy walking towards me drinking one of those small size Pump water bottles. He looked like a pretty stocky guy and it was only as he got closer and closer I realised that it was Thorn and the Pump bottle he was holding was actually the biggest one there is. He could teach some things to Peter Jackson about forced perspective.
Derm
Roar Guru
I think there's a bit of niggle between the two since the series in NZ. At end of match three, McCaw completely blanks O'Driscoll as he's being interviewed and O'Driscoll is up next. He doesn't say anything about Ireland in his interview then finishes and turns away and ignores O'Driscoll. O'Drisocll stares after him and you can see him thinking 'you discourteous w***ker'.
AWCMONREF
Guest
Rambo we're not defensive just sick of hearing that crap me thinks, if I wasn't an ABs supporter I may hate them too, but as a rugby fan I sure as hell would know and appreciate what they bring to the game ......
AWCMONREF
Guest
SO so true that guy is man mountain :)
Intotouch
Guest
Well done to New Zealand for winning at the end. I felt heartbroken after this loss, not for the first time but it was not the awful defeat that I expected before this match began. I felt really emotional at the end of it, but part of it was for joy. I had really given up on hoping that Ireland could be a great rugby side for a long time to come and believed that our strongest generation yet would be succeeded by lesser men. But the young lads who came in were as good as the veterans in skill and in heart. Sean O'Brien was immense and the conviction of the team gave me hope for the future. I hope that our players can somehow take heart from this and improve. I really appreciated Steve Hansen's gracious comments after the match. It is good to be reminded of how wonderful sportmen and women there are all over the world. I hope that New Zealand always remain a strong rugby nation.
liam
Guest
Johnno, I know this is kinda a joke comment anyway but in all seriousness, the original dream-team was essentially a bunch of pros when the majority of other countries were fielding comparative amateur teams or teams comprised of pros from inferior competitions... it really doesnt equate at all, as the ABs are playing against teams that generally have players earning just as much if not more than them and everyone is on a level professional playing field. I agree the USA dream team was amazing and their basketball team is great but it's no good comparison, PLUS the USA basketballers have LOST games and olympics, which is the equivalent of the ABS rocking up to a world cup and being knocked out by kazakstan. takes a few points off their legacy in my book.
AWCMONREF
Guest
Watched the game again last night, this time I was wide awake and you know what , I spent the whole of yesterday thinking Ireland were terribly unlucky and we didn't deserve the win BUT on seeing it again our guys were absolutely brilliant and they pulled off another Ellis Park moment, Richie though he did look worried at certain points never gave up and the whole team, replacements included just refused to give in. Ireland were fantastic, the Irish commentators were fantastic, the Irish crowd was brilliant but our guys truly deserved that win, they will eventually beat us, but as long as the ABs show that kind of grit and determination it won't be for a very, very long time :(
moaman
Guest
Nice story Kelefua! ;-) I hope you texted them to ask if they are ok? ;-)
Rambo
Guest
Agree, Nigel has been a great ref this year.
Rambo
Guest
Funny how everyone outside NZ notice the bias favoritism the ABs receive. An ostrich is much happier with its head in the sand.