Australia 25-20 New Zealand
- Published
Australia number eight Radike Samo ran in a magnificent try in the first half
Australia put on an inspirational display in Brisbane to beat New Zealand and secure their first Tri-Nations title since 2001 and only third ever.
The Wallabies led 20-3 at the break courtesy of tries from Will Genia and Radike Samo, who ran in from 60m.
The All Blacks hit back to level the scores after an hour, with Conrad Smith and Ma'a Nonu both crossing for tries.
However, the hosts swiftly responded and Kurtley Beale scored a try against the run of play to seal the win.
Australia's first win over the All Blacks in Brisbane for 19 years came after the Wallabies were thumped 30-14 by the All Blacks in Auckland three weeks ago and is a big psychological blow ahead of the Word Cup, which kicks off in New Zealand in a fortnight.
It was all Australia in the first half, Quade Cooper opening the scoring for the Wallabies with a penalty in the third minute before scrum-half Genia ducked over after the video referee incorrectly awarded the attacking side a 5m scrum.
Cooper and Dan Carter exchanged penalties before Australia number eight Samo, starting his first Test since 2004, showed uncanny pace for a 35-year-old, handing off Adam Thomson and crossing from inside his own half.
The visitors, who lost flanker Thomson and number eight Kieran Read to injuries before half-time, were a different side in the second half, controlling possession and scoring 17 unanswered points.
After 26 phases, Carter showed wonderful sleight of hand out of the tackle to release Smith for his try and centre Nonu took his side to within two points with a scything run off the left wing.
Carter levelled the scores with a conversion only for the Wallabies to find a second wind, full-back Beale finishing off a sweeping movement after an initial burst from Genia.
The defeat means the All Blacks go into the World Cup opener against Tonga on 9 September on the back of consecutive losses to Australia and defending world champions South Africa, who finished bottom of the Tri-Nations table.
It was the last match in the Tr-Nations format before Argentina join to make it a four-team tournament next year.
Australia: Kurtley Beale; Adam Ashley-Cooper, Anthony Fainga'a, Pat McCabe, Digby Ioane; Quade Cooper, Will Genia; Sekope Kepu, Stephen Moore, Ben Alexander, Dan Vickerman, James Horwill (capt), Rocky Elsom, David Pocock, Radike Samo. Replacements: Saia Fainga'a, Salesi Ma'afu, Rob Simmons, Ben McCalman, Scott Higginbotham, Luke Burgess.
New Zealand: Mils Muliaina; Cory Jane, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Zac Guildford; Dan Carter, Piri Weepu; Tony Woodcock, Keven Mealamu, Owen Franks, Brad Thorn, Samuel Whitelock, Adam Thomson, Richie McCaw (capt), Kieran Read. Replacements: Andrew Hore, John Afoa, Ali Williams, Victor Vito, Andy Ellis, Colin Slade, Isaia Toeava.