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Beauden Barrett of the All Blacks is tackled by Rob Kearney of Ireland during the International match between Ireland and the New Zealand All Blacks at Aviva Stadium on November 24, 2013 in Dublin, Ireland.
(November 23, 2013 - Source: Phil Walter/Getty Images Europe)
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Perfect year for All Blacks
New Zealand made history on Sunday as a late converted try saw them beat Ireland 24-22 at the Aviva Stadium, ending the year with 14 wins from 14.
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Ben Franks of the All Blacks scores a try during the International match between Ireland and the New Zealand All Blacks at Aviva Stadium on November 24, 2013 in Dublin, Ireland.
(November 23, 2013 - Source: Phil Walter/Getty Images Europe)
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Cory Jane of the All Blacks is tackled by Cian Healy (R) and Devin Toner during the International match between Ireland and New Zealand All Blacks at the Aviva Stadium on November 24, 2013 in Dublin, Ireland.
(November 23, 2013 - Source: David Rogers/Getty Images Europe)
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Played on a pitch light-years ahead of some of its northern hemisphere rivals, Ireland and the All Blacks put on an outstanding spectacle in Dublin that had everyone captivated from start to finish.
And boy did this one go down to the wire as New Zealand, down 17-22 with time up on the clock, finally managed to bust the green wall through replacement Ryan Crotty before Aaron Cruden added the match-winning touchline conversion.
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Aaron Smith of the All Black reacts as the scrum packs down during the International match between Ireland and the New Zealand All Blacks at Aviva Stadium on November 24, 2013 in Dublin, Ireland.
(November 23, 2013 - Source: Phil Walter/Getty Images Europe)
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Aaron Cruden of the All Blacks is mobbed by team mates has he takes the last minute, match winning conversion during the International match between Ireland and New Zealand All Blacks at the Aviva Stadium on November 24, 2013 in Dublin, Ireland.
(November 23, 2013 - Source: David Rogers/Getty Images Europe)
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It will be a defeat that particularly hurts Ireland as they spurned a chance to move eight points clear in the closing stages, but Jonathan Sexton pushed a penalty inches wide of the upright.
Blowing a 0-19 advantage is going to sting.
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Brian O'Driscoll of Ireland is tackled by Ma'a Nonu and Richie McCaw (R) during the International match between Ireland and New Zealand All Blacks at the Aviva Stadium on November 24, 2013 in Dublin, Ireland.
(November 23, 2013 - Source: David Rogers/Getty Images Europe)
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Julian Savea of the All Blacks breaks clear of Conor Murray to score their first try during the International match between Ireland and New Zealand All Blacks at the Aviva Stadium on November 24, 2013 in Dublin, Ireland.
(November 23, 2013 - Source: David Rogers/Getty Images Europe)
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Ireland had came out of the blocks in devastating fashion as they took on the All Blacks three gears up from last weekend's opening efforts against the Wallabies.
New Zealand were immediately rocked backwards as the hosts scored those 19 points in as many minutes, with Conor Murray, Rory Best and Rob Kearney crossing the try-line.
The first score came inside four minutes when the scrum-half - recalled to the side in place of Eoin Reddan - barged over after good build-up play from the Irish. However, there was some doubt over whether he grounded the ball but TMO Graham Hughes deemed it a try.
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Sam Whitelock (L) of the All Blacks races Cian Healy and team mate Richie McCaw to the loose ball during the International match between Ireland and New Zealand All Blacks at the Aviva Stadium on November 24, 2013 in Dublin, Ireland.
(November 23, 2013 - Source: David Rogers/Getty Images Europe)
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Brodie Retallick of the All Blacks is tackled by the Ireland defence during the International match between Ireland and the New Zealand All Blacks at Aviva Stadium on November 24, 2013 in Dublin, Ireland.
(November 23, 2013 - Source: Phil Walter/Getty Images Europe)
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Sexton added the extras but Ireland weren't done there and promptly went over again in the tenth minute when hooker Best finished a move he started by crossing on the right side. With Sexton's extra two points the hosts were 0-14 up as the All Blacks attempted to catch their breath. Dublin was rocking as Ireland took the game to the world champions.
New Zealand did recover somewhat and enjoyed some semblance of possession for the ensuing minutes but when Israel Dagg fumbled a pass on the right wing, 20 metres from the Irish line, the grateful Kearney gathered and set off for a foot race to the whitewash.
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Paul O'Connell of Ireland is tackled during the International match between Ireland and New Zealand All Blacks at the Aviva Stadium on November 24, 2013 in Dublin, Ireland.
(November 23, 2013 - Source: David Rogers/Getty Images Europe)
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Conor Murray of Ireland runs with the ball during the International match between Ireland and New Zealand All Blacks at the Aviva Stadium on November 24, 2013 in Dublin, Ireland.
(November 23, 2013 - Source: David Rogers/Getty Images Europe)
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Finally this appeared to spark the flat All Blacks into putting together some fluent running rugby, which produced a try in the 26th minute of the game, certainly against the run of play.
Cruden spotted a huge gap behind the Irish defence, chipped through and Savea, who was unmarked on the wing, ran onto the ball to touch down with the conversion making it 7-19.
The Irish, though, were not deflated by that in the least and stormed back deep into All Black territory, only prevented from scoring by some gritty defence and were eventually rewarded with a penalty which Racing-Metro fly-half Sexton slotted over for a 7-22 advantage.
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Julian Savea of the All Blacks breaks clear to score their first try during the International match between Ireland and New Zealand All Blacks at the Aviva Stadium on November 24, 2013 in Dublin, Ireland.
(November 23, 2013 - Source: David Rogers/Getty Images Europe)
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Aaron Smith of the All Blacks is tackled by Sean O'Brien during the International match between Ireland and New Zealand All Blacks at the Aviva Stadium on November 24, 2013 in Dublin, Ireland.
(November 23, 2013 - Source: David Rogers/Getty Images Europe)
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The Irish came out fired up for the second-half but it was their defence that held up as Dagg thought he had got over in the 50th minute only for Murray to be judged to have held him up.
However, impressive Irish lock Devin Toner handed Cruden an easy three points, for 10-22, as he obstructed loosehead Wyatt Crockett when the Irish were about to clear their lines.
Cruden, though, missed an opportunity to cut the deficit further with a long range penalty as the rampaging O'Brien attracted the ire of referee Nigel Owens, who was superb on the day.
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Sean O'Brien of Ireland is tackled by Brodie Retallick (R) during the International match between Ireland and New Zealand All Blacks at the Aviva Stadium on November 24, 2013 in Dublin, Ireland.
(November 23, 2013 - Source: David Rogers/Getty Images Europe)
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Paul O'Connell of Ireland is tackled by Charlie Faumuina and Kieran Read of the All Blacks during the International match between Ireland and the New Zealand All Blacks at Aviva Stadium on November 24, 2013 in Dublin, Ireland.
(November 23, 2013 - Source: Phil Walter/Getty Images Europe)
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Nevertheless, the All Blacks started to really test the Irish resilience and with 15 minutes remaining they went over through replacement prop Ben Franks and Cruden made it 17-22.
However, the indomitable spirit of the Irish shone as they drew on their last dregs of energy, pressuring the All Blacks into conceding a penalty which Sexton took an age over, but to gasps of disbelief he sent it wide of the posts. An eight-point lead had gone begging.
The costliness of that miss was laid bare in the final remarkable passage of play by the All Blacks as replacement centre Crotty went over in the corner and Cruden, at the second time of asking because of encroachment, slotted over the conversion to achieve that unlikely win.
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The scoreboard shows the lead that Ireland gained, but was eventually clawed back by the All Blacks on their way to victory during the International match between Ireland and New Zealand All Blacks at the Aviva Stadium on November 24, 2013 in Dublin, Ireland.
(November 23, 2013 - Source: David Rogers/Getty Images Europe)
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Paul O'Connell of Ireland charges the All Black defence during the International match between Ireland and the New Zealand All Blacks at Aviva Stadium on November 24, 2013 in Dublin, Ireland.
(November 23, 2013 - Source: Phil Walter/Getty Images Europe)
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Man of the match: We go for Ireland number eight Jamie Heaslip, who was everywhere. Mentions too for Gordon D'Arcy, Devin Toner, Paul O'Connell and Sean O'Brien while New Zealand's star man was Sam Whitelock, with Beauden Barrett impressing off the bench.
Moment of the match: It's hard on Jonathan Sexton but missing that late penalty came back to haunt the Irish. It handed New Zealand a sniff and that was all they needed.
Villain of the match: Nothing to report on a great surface and day for rugby.
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Richie McCaw of the All Blacks holds onto the ball during the International match between Ireland and New Zealand All Blacks at the Aviva Stadium on November 24, 2013 in Dublin, Ireland.
(November 23, 2013 - Source: David Rogers/Getty Images Europe)
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Paul O'Connell of Ireland wins the lineout during the International match between Ireland and New Zealand All Blacks at the Aviva Stadium on November 24, 2013 in Dublin, Ireland.
(November 23, 2013 - Source: David Rogers/Getty Images Europe)
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All Blacks: Super subs make impact for ABs
The impact the All Blacks substitutes are making became obvious on their Northern Hemisphere tour.
Beauden Barrett looked like a match-winner at Aviva Stadium when he came on in the final quarter. His power and ability to break tackles helped put the All Blacks on the front foot. And how they needed something or someone to do that.
Ryan Crotty didn't have to do a lot for his try as the All Blacks mounted their desperate comeback, but he was extremely tidy after coming on. He straightens the attack well and is an excellent defender.
Dane Coles, on after halftime for Andrew Hore, had the presence of mind to slip the pass to Crotty, and Ben Franks made his presence felt. His try built on the comeback.
Afterwards coach Steve Hansen paid credit to his 23-man team and it was thoroughly appropriate. Test rugby is all about depth.
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Dave Kearney of Ireland is tackled by Ben Smith, Cory Jane and Ma'a Nonu of the All Blacks during the International match between Ireland and the New Zealand All Blacks at Aviva Stadium on November 24, 2013 in Dublin, Ireland.
(November 23, 2013 - Source: Phil Walter/Getty Images Europe)
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