All Blacks leave it late

New Zealand scored two tries in the final 13 minutes to secure their 10th straight Test win over Australia in the final match of the Tri-Nations.

Richie McCaw, leading the All Blacks for a record 52nd time, and Kieran Read barged over late on, both tries converted by Piri Weepu, to turn a 13-point deficit into a 23-22 victory for the visitors in Sydney.

James O'Connor's 16th-minute try and three Matt Giteau penalties saw the Wallabies build a 14-6 advantage at half-time.

They added a second try through Adam Ashley-Cooper early in the second half and, when Kurtley Beale landed a penalty with 19 minutes to go, Australia led by 22-9 and looked set to end the record barren run against their neighbours.

But the All Blacks, who had already clinched the Tri-Nations title, produced a late rally to ensure they finish with a 100 per cent record in this year's tournament.

Frenetic

Both sides came close to scoring during a frenetic opening, as New Zealand centre Ma'a Nonu was tackled into the corner flag by Beale, before the video referee ruled out an effort from recalled Wallabies winger Lachie Turner.

But the All Blacks' line was soon breached when Ben McCalman peeled off the back of a scrum, drew the final defender and released O'Connor into the right corner.

Giteau's profligacy with the boot - he missed four of his seven kicks at goal - kept New Zealand, who had just two Weepu penalties to show from the opening 40 minutes, in range at half-time.

The Wallabies, fresh from their 41-39 win over the Springboks in Bloemfontein the previous weekend, took total control when centre Ashley-Cooper added their second try seven minutes after the restart from scrum-half Will Genia's long pass.

An exchange of penalties between Weepu and Beale - who had taken over kicking duties from the misfiring Giteau - left Australia 22-9 ahead entering the final quarter.

But constant pressure from the All Blacks finally paid off when back-row duo Read and McCaw combined off the base of a scrum to give McCaw a simple finish.

Weepu added the conversion to reduce New Zealand's deficit to 22-16 with 11 minutes remaining.

The visitors were again immediately camped on Australia's line and it was no surprise when Read powered over under the posts in the 74th minute, Weepu's conversion sealing the comeback.