Banners promoting the game between the New Zealand All Blacks and the USA Eagles are pictured on Michigan Ave on October 27, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois.
(October 26, 2014 - Source: Phil Walter/Getty Images North America)
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Tuesday, October 28, 2014
Friday, October 24, 2014
Brisbane
Malakai Fekitoa of the All Blacks is tackled during The Rugby Championship match between the Australian Wallabies and the New Zealand All Blacks at Suncorp Stadium on October 18, 2014 in Brisbane, Australia.
(October 17, 2014 - Source: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images AsiaPac)
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Last-minute All Blacks edge Wallabies
Malakai Fekitoa scored a try in the last minute as the All Blacks overturned a 10-point deficit to beat the Wallabies 29-28 in Brisbane on Saturday.
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Beauden Barrett of the All Blacks runs the ball during The Bledisloe Cup match between the Australian Wallabies and the New Zealand All Blacks at Suncorp Stadium on October 18, 2014 in Brisbane, Australia.
(October 17, 2014 - Source: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images AsiaPac)
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Sam Carter of the Wallabies is tackled during The Bledisloe Cup match between the Australian Wallabies and the New Zealand All Blacks at Suncorp Stadium on October 18, 2014 in Brisbane, Australia.
(October 17, 2014 - Source: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images AsiaPac)
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A general view of the lineout is seen during The Rugby Championship match between the Australian Wallabies and the New Zealand All Blacks at Suncorp Stadium on October 18, 2014 in Brisbane, Australia.
(October 17, 2014 - Source: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images AsiaPac)
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Written off before kick-off following a tumultuous fortnight off the field, the Wallabies answered their critics in defiant fashion and looked on course to end a three-year losing streak against their rivals from across the 'ditch.'
But rugby is a game of 80 minutes. And once again the All Blacks showed they are the masters of the fast finish.
Ewen McKenzie's side produced arguably their best performance of 2014 and willing be kicking themselves for not closing out from a winning position as they failed to match the Kiwis' intensity in the last quarter.
The result means New Zealand win the 2014 Bledisloe series at 2-0.
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Israel Folau of the Wallabies runs with the ball during The Rugby Championship match between the Australian Wallabies and the New Zealand All Blacks at Suncorp Stadium on October 18, 2014 in Brisbane, Australia.
(October 17, 2014 - Source: Matt Roberts/Getty Images AsiaPac)
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Brodie Retallick of the All Blacks is tackled during The Rugby Championship match between the Australian Wallabies and the New Zealand All Blacks at Suncorp Stadium on October 18, 2014 in Brisbane, Australia.
(October 17, 2014 - Source: Matt Roberts/Getty Images AsiaPac)
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Malakai Fekitoa of the All Blacks makes a break during The Rugby Championship match between the Australian Wallabies and the New Zealand All Blacks at Suncorp Stadium on October 18, 2014 in Brisbane, Australia.
(October 17, 2014 - Source: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images AsiaPac)
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Man of the match: Richie McCaw gave away a few penalties but was a tackle machine, as was Brodie Retallick. A mention for Michael Hooper for pulling his side together and contributing massively as a ball carrier but we'll go for Bernard Foley, not only for his 15 points, but his tireless work in getting back in defence.
Moment of the match: There can only be one candidate. Malakai Fekitoa's try at the death broke Aussie hearts.
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All Blacks captain Richie McCaw presents a bottle of champagne to Adam Ashley-Cooper of the Wallabies after playing his 100th test for the Wallabies during The Rugby Championship match between the Australian Wallabies and the New Zealand All Blacks at Suncorp Stadium on October 18, 2014 in Brisbane, Australia.
(October 17, 2014 - Source: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images AsiaPac)
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Michael Hooper of the Wallabies is tackled during The Rugby Championship match between the Australian Wallabies and the New Zealand All Blacks at Suncorp Stadium on October 18, 2014 in Brisbane, Australia.
(October 17, 2014 - Source: Matt Roberts/Getty Images AsiaPac)
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Christian Leali'ifano of the Wallabies is tackled during The Rugby Championship match between the Australian Wallabies and the New Zealand All Blacks at Suncorp Stadium on October 18, 2014 in Brisbane, Australia.
(October 17, 2014 - Source: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images AsiaPac)
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BrodieRetallick of the All Blacks is tackled during The Rugby Championship match between the Australian Wallabies and the New Zealand All Blacks at Suncorp Stadium on October 18, 2014 in Brisbane, Australia.
(October 17, 2014 - Source: Matt Roberts/Getty Images AsiaPac)
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Dane Coles of the All Blacks makes a break during The Bledisloe Cup match between the Australian Wallabies and the New Zealand All Blacks at Suncorp Stadium on October 18, 2014 in Brisbane, Australia.
(October 17, 2014 - Source: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images AsiaPac)
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Friday, October 17, 2014
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
S.Africa 27 - N.Zealand 25 / Ellis Park
Victor Matfield of South Africa wins the lineout ball during the Rugby Championship match between the South African Springboks and the New Zealand All Blacks at Ellis Park Stadium on October 4, 2014 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
(October 3, 2014 - Source: David Rogers/Getty Images Europe)
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South Africa ended New Zealand's 22-game unbeaten streak on Saturday with an incredible 27-25 victory in Johannesburg.
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Malakai Fekitoa of the All Blacks breaks clear to score a try during the Rugby Championship match between the South African Springboks and the New Zealand All Blacks at Ellis Park Stadium on October 4, 2014 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
(October 3, 2014 - Source: David Rogers/Getty Images Europe)
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Israel Dagg of the All Blacks breaks with the ball during the Rugby Championship match between the South African Springboks and the New Zealand All Blacks at Ellis Park Stadium on October 4, 2014 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
(October 3, 2014 - Source: David Rogers/Getty Images Europe)
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The result also sees the Springboks break a three-year losing streak against the world champions and Rugby Championship winners, claiming their first win against the All Blacks at Ellis Park in ten years.
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Malakai Fekitoa of the All Blacks is tackled by Eben Etzebeth (L) and Jan Serfontein during the Rugby Championship match between the South African Springboks and the New Zealand All Blacks at Ellis Park Stadium on October 4, 2014 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
(October 3, 2014 - Source: David Rogers/Getty Images Europe)
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Jannie du Plessis of South Africa gets tackled during The Castle Rugby Championship match between South Africa and New Zealand at Ellis Park on October 04, 2014 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
(September 6, 2008 - Source: Gallo Images/Getty Images Europe)
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Handre Pollard of South Africa dives over for his try during The Castle Rugby Championship match between South Africa and New Zealand at Ellis Park on October 04, 2014 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
(October 3, 2014 - Source: Duif du Toit/Getty Images Europe)
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Man of the match: A mention for Duane Vermeulen, who defied injury to make an outstanding contribution. But we'll go for 20-year-old Handré Pollard, who not only scored two tries but belied his tender years with a mature performance.
Moment of the match: Plenty of great moments but Hougaard's try marked a new age in Springbok rugby. Box kicks? No, tries from 90 metres!
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Adriaan Strauss of South Africa gets tackled during The Castle Rugby Championship match between South Africa and New Zealand at Ellis Park on October 04, 2014 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
(March 8, 2013 - Source: Gallo Images/Getty Images Europe)
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Julian Savea of the All Blacks is tackled by Conrad Hendricks during the Rugby Championship match between the South African Springboks and the New Zealand All Blacks at Ellis Park Stadium on October 4, 2014 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
(October 3, 2014 - Source: David Rogers/Getty Images Europe)
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Springboks fall short in Wellington / Freedom Cup
Brodie Retallick of the All Blacks is tackled by Eben Etzebeth of the Springboks during The Rugby Championship match between the New Zealand All Blacks and the South Africa Springboks at Westpac Stadium on September 13, 2014 in Wellington, New Zealand.
(September 12, 2014 - Source: Phil Walter/Getty Images AsiaPac)
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New Zealand overturned a half-time deficit to claim a 14-10 victory over South Africa in a thrilling Rugby Championship Test at Westpac Stadium on Saturday.
Only two tries were scored - one apiece - but the clash between the two best sides in the world lived up to its billing as the All Blacks were forced to hang on in a nail-biting finish to an outstanding contest.
New Zealand dominated the territory (over 70 percent) and possession statistics in the first half but it was the Springboks who led 7-6 at the interval thanks to a try from wing Cornal Hendricks.
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Richie McCaw of the All Blacks scores a try during The Rugby Championship match between the New Zealand All Blacks and the South Africa Springboks at Westpac Stadium on September 13, 2014 in Wellington, New Zealand.
(September 12, 2014 - Source: Phil Walter/Getty Images AsiaPac)
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Adriaan Strauss of the Springboks runs at Richie McCaw of the All Blacks during The Rugby Championship match between the New Zealand All Blacks and the South Africa Springboks at Westpac Stadium on September 13, 2014 in Wellington, New Zealand.
(September 12, 2014 - Source: Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images AsiaPac)
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Jean de Villiers of the Springboks leaves the field after earning his 100th test cap during The Rugby Championship match between the New Zealand All Blacks and the South Africa Springboks at Westpac Stadium on September 13, 2014 in Wellington, New Zealand.
(September 12, 2014 - Source: Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images AsiaPac)
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Ma'a Nonu of the All Blacks makes a break during The Rugby Championship match between the New Zealand All Blacks and the South Africa Springboks at Westpac Stadium on September 13, 2014 in Wellington, New Zealand.
(September 12, 2014 - Source: Hannah Peters/Getty Images AsiaPac)
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Richie McCaw of the All Blacks scores a try during The Rugby Championship match between the New Zealand All Blacks and the South Africa Springboks at Westpac Stadium on September 13, 2014 in Wellington, New Zealand.
(September 12, 2014 - Source: Phil Walter/Getty Images AsiaPac)
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Man of the match: Firstly a mention for Handré Pollard, who had a blinder, and underlined his status as South Africa's best 10. Likewise, a mention for Victor Matfield who tackled his heart out a ruled the line-outs. But we'll go for Richie McCaw, who scored the winning try and topped the Kiwi tackle count.
Moment of the match: It went down to the wire, but the New Zealand's defence in the final minute was brilliant.
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Kieran Read of the All Blacks is tackled during The Rugby Championship match between the New Zealand All Blacks and the South Africa Springboks at Westpac Stadium on September 13, 2014 in Wellington, New Zealand.
(September 12, 2014 - Source: Phil Walter/Getty Images AsiaPac)
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Kieran Read of the All Blacks is tackled during The Rugby Championship match between the New Zealand All Blacks and the South Africa Springboks at Westpac Stadium on September 13, 2014 in Wellington, New Zealand.
(September 12, 2014 - Source: Phil Walter/Getty Images AsiaPac)
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Jean de Villiers of the Springboks is congratulated on his 100th test by Richie McCaw of the All Blacks during The Rugby Championship match between the New Zealand All Blacks and the South Africa Springboks at Westpac Stadium on September 13, 2014 in Wellington, New Zealand.
(September 12, 2014 - Source: Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images AsiaPac)
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Richie McCaw of the All Blacks scores a try during The Rugby Championship match between the New Zealand All Blacks and the South Africa Springboks at Westpac Stadium on September 13, 2014 in Wellington, New Zealand.
(September 12, 2014 - Source: Mark Tantrum/Getty Images AsiaPac)
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Richie McCaw of the All Blacks hols up the Freedom Cup after winning The Rugby Championship match between the New Zealand All Blacks and the South Africa Springboks at Westpac Stadium on September 13, 2014 in Wellington, New Zealand.
(September 12, 2014 - Source: Hannah Peters/Getty Images AsiaPac)
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Kieran Read of the All Blacks is tackled during The Rugby Championship match between the New Zealand All Blacks and the South Africa Springboks at Westpac Stadium on September 13, 2014 in Wellington, New Zealand.
(September 12, 2014 - Source: Phil Walter/Getty Images AsiaPac)
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Steven Luatua of the All Blacks charges forward during The Rugby Championship match between the New Zealand All Blacks and the South Africa Springboks at Westpac Stadium on September 13, 2014 in Wellington, New Zealand.
(September 12, 2014 - Source: Hannah Peters/Getty Images AsiaPac)
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