Freedom Cup 2015

 Willie le Roux of South Africa tackled by Charles Piutau of New Zealand during The Castle Lager Rugby Championship 2015 match between South Africa and New Zealand at Emirates Airline Park on July 25, 2015 in Johannesburg, South Africa.

(July 24, 2015 - Source: Getty Images Europe)

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 Dane Coles of New Zealand breaks away during The Castle Lager Rugby Championship 2015 match between South Africa and New Zealand at Emirates Airline Park on July 25, 2015 in Johannesburg, South Africa.

(July 24, 2015 - Source: Gallo Images/Getty Images Europe)

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A late Richie McCaw try helped the All Blacks clinch a closely-fought clash with the Springboks at Ellis Park on Saturday, winning 27-20.

New Zealand have become masters of the fast finish and it was fitting that McCaw - in what was probably his last Test on South African soil - landed the killer blow against their fiercest rivals.

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 Richie McCaw (All blacks Captain) in action during The Castle Lager Rugby Championship 2015 match between South Africa and New Zealand at Emirates Airline Park on July 25, 2015 in Johannesburg, South Africa.

(juil. 24, 2015 - Source: Getty Images Europe)

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 Kieran Read of New Zealand gets tackled by Heinrich Brussow during The Castle Lager Rugby Championship 2015 match between South Africa and New Zealand at Emirates Airline Park on July 25, 2015 in Johannesburg, South Africa.

(July 24, 2015 - Source: Gallo Images/Getty Images Europe)

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Man of the match: A mention for Lood de Jager, who worked tirelessly but Charles Piutau booked his ticket to the World Cup with a faultless display on defence and an electric performance on attack. 

Moment of the match: How do they always do it? McCaw's try was another example of New Zealand's clinical execution as they came back from behind once again. 

Match Report / Planet Rugby

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Cornal Hendricks of South Africa and Ma'a Nonu of New Zealand in action during The Castle Lager Rugby Championship 2015 match between South Africa and New Zealand at Emirates Airline Park on July 25, 2015 in Johannesburg, South Africa.

(Juli 24, 2015 - Source: Getty Images Europe)

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The Freedom Cup is on display during The Castle Lager Rugby Championship 2015 match between South Africa and New Zealand at Emirates Airline Park on July 25, 2015 in Johannesburg, South Africa.

(Juli 24, 2015 - Source: Gallo Images/Getty Images Europe)

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Argentina in Christchurch

 Richie McCaw (L) and Dan Carter (R) of the All Blacks shake hands before The Rugby Championship match between the New Zealand All Blacks and Argentina at AMI Stadium on July 17, 2015 in Christchurch, New Zealand.

(July 16, 2015 - Source: Phil Walter/Getty Images AsiaPac)

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New Zealand scored five tries as they got their Rugby Championship title defence up and running with a 39-18 victory over Argentina in Christchurch.

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Dan Carter of the New Zealand All Blacks makes a break during The Rugby Championship match between the New Zealand All Blacks and Argentina at AMI Stadium on July 17, 2015 in Christchurch, New Zealand.

(July 16, 2015 - Source: Martin Hunter/Getty Images AsiaPac)

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 TJ Perenara of the New Zealand All Blacks looks to pass during The Rugby Championship match between the New Zealand All Blacks and Argentina at AMI Stadium on July 17, 2015 in Christchurch, New Zealand.

(July 16, 2015 - Source: Martin Hunter/Getty Images AsiaPac)

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 Sonny Bill Williams of the New Zealand All Blacks looks to pass during The Rugby Championship match between the New Zealand All Blacks and Argentina at AMI Stadium on July 17, 2015 in Christchurch, New Zealand.

(July 16, 2015 - Source: Martin Hunter/Getty Images AsiaPac)

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 Kieran Read of the New Zealand All Blacks is tackled during The Rugby Championship match between the New Zealand All Blacks and Argentina at AMI Stadium on July 17, 2015 in Christchurch, New Zealand.

(July 16, 2015 - Source: Phil Walter/Getty Images AsiaPac)

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 Charles Piutau of the New Zealand All Blacks is tackled by Horacio Agulla of Argentina during The Rugby Championship match between the New Zealand All Blacks and Argentina at AMI Stadium on July 17, 2015 in Christchurch, New Zealand.

(July 16, 2015 - Source: Martin Hunter/Getty Images AsiaPac)

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 Charles Piutau of the New Zealand All Blacks is tackled by Tomas Cubelli of Argentina during The Rugby Championship match between the New Zealand All Blacks and Argentina at AMI Stadium on July 17, 2015 in Christchurch, New Zealand.

(July 16, 2015 - Source: Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images AsiaPac)

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 Richie McCaw of the New Zealand All Blacks charges over to score a try during The Rugby Championship match between the New Zealand All Blacks and Argentina at AMI Stadium on July 17, 2015 in Christchurch, New Zealand.

(July 16, 2015 - Source: Hannah Peters/Getty Images AsiaPac)

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Manuel Carizza of Argentina takes the high ball during The Rugby Championship match between the New Zealand All Blacks and Argentina at AMI Stadium on July 17, 2015 in Christchurch, New Zealand.

(July 16, 2015 - Source: Phil Walter/Getty Images AsiaPac)

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67 days till RWC 2015

Rabbids Rugby Haka

WORLD RUGBY RANKINGS

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Wales move up to 5th in the World Rugby rankings after beating Ireland in the Six Nations.

Lansdowne Cup

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 A general view of the Aviva Stadium before the international friendly match between Ireland and Australia at Aviva Stadium on November 22, 2014 in Dublin, Ireland.

(November 21, 2014 - Source: Ian Walton/Getty Images Europe)

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A general view of the stadium ahead of the international friendly match between Ireland and Australia at Aviva Stadium on November 22, 2014 in Dublin, Ireland.

(November 21, 2014 - Source: Ian Walton/Getty Images Europe)

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Ireland edge Wallabies in thriller

Ireland claimed their second Southern Hemisphere scalp of the month with a 26-23 victory over Australia in a thrilling clash in Dublin on Saturday.

Planet Rugby / Match Report

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Rob Kearney of Ireland tries to tackle Israel Folau of Australia during the international friendly match between Ireland and Australia at Aviva Stadium on November 22, 2014 in Dublin, Ireland.

(November 21, 2014 - Source: Ian Walton/Getty Images Europe)

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 Paul O'Connell of Ireland in action during the international friendly match between Ireland and Australia at Aviva Stadium on November 22, 2014 in Dublin, Ireland.

(November 21, 2014 - Source: Ian Walton/Getty Images Europe)

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The hosts were outscored three tries to two by the Wallabies but another incredible performance on defence - as was the case against the Springboks - was at the origin of a memorable win.

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One of the best first-halves of international rugby seen anywhere this year came to an end with the scores locked at 20-all.

It was breathtaking stuff as both sides impressed. Australia's ability to offload in the tackle kept the ball alive while the hosts' tactical execution was out of the top drawer.

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 Conor Murrray of Ireland in action during the international friendly match between Ireland and Australia at Aviva Stadium on November 22, 2014 in Dublin, Ireland.

(November 21, 2014 - Source: Ian Walton/Getty Images Europe)

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 Simon Zebo of Ireland is tackled by Matt Toomua of Australia during the international friendly match between Ireland and Australia at Aviva Stadium on November 22, 2014 in Dublin, Ireland.

(November 21, 2014 - Source: Ian Walton/Getty Images Europe)

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An amazing first half-hour that featured five tries saw Ireland race to a 17-0 lead inside 15 minutes only for Australia to fight back and draw level.

Man of the Match: Too many candidates to mention them all but Sexton was outstanding again. Paul O'Connell was immense however, leading by example in a towering defensive display

Moment of the Match: Plenty of highlights but Zebo's try in the opening minutes typified Ireland's performance. It was a perfect example of grabbing a half-chance with clinical efficiency and set the tone for the rest of the Irish display

Villain of the Match: If you're Irish, TMO Eric Gauzins's interpretation of what constitutes a forward pass is debatable.

Full Match Report / Planet Rugby

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 Peter O'Mahony of Ireland is tackled by Adam Ashley-Cooper of Australia during the international friendly match between Ireland and Australia at Aviva Stadium on November 22, 2014 in Dublin, Ireland.

(November 21, 2014 - Source: Ian Walton/Getty Images Europe)

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 Conor Murrray of Ireland is tackled by Luke Jones. of Australia during the international friendly match between Ireland and Australia at Aviva Stadium on November 22, 2014 in Dublin, Ireland.

(November 21, 2014 - Source: Ian Walton/Getty Images Europe)

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next test:

29 Nov

England v Australia

Twickenham

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Wales and New Zealand at the Millennium Stadium

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Richie McCaw of the All Blacks runs out onto the field for his 100th game as All Black captain during the Intenational match between Wales and the New Zealand All Blacks at the Millennium Stadium on November 22, 2014 in Cardiff, Wales.

(November 21, 2014 - Source: Phil Walter/Getty Images Europe)

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Three tries in the final ten minutes saw New Zealand - in Richie McCaw's 100th game as captain - beat Wales 34-16 at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday.

15-16 up on 69 minutes, Wales were sniffing a massive win over the All Blacks. But then fly-half Beauden Barrett's individual score knocked the stuffing out of the Welsh before Kieran Read and Barrett again sealed New Zealand's fourth win of their successful end-of-year international tour.

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Sam Warburton the captain of Wales leads his team onto the pitch during the International match between Wales and New Zealand at the Millennium Stadium on November 22, 2014 in Cardiff, Wales.

(November 21, 2014 - Source: Michael Steele/Getty Images Europe)

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Man of the match: While he was a little shaky early on, that moment of quality when he floored Wales with a chip that resulted in a key try almost saw Beauden Barrett win this award. But in the end we go for Kieran Read after a tireless effort in Cardiff.

Match Report / Planet Rugby

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Julian Savea of the All Blacks scores his sides opening try despite the challenge from Alex Cuthbert of Wales during the International match between Wales and New Zealand at the Millennium Stadium on November 22, 2014 in Cardiff, Wales.

(November 21, 2014 - Source: Michael Steele/Getty Images Europe)

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 Sonny Bill Williams of New Zealand is sandwiched by Dan Lydiate (bottom) and Richard Hibbard during the International match between Wales and New Zealand All Blacks at Millennium Stadium on November 22, 2014 in Cardiff, Wales.

(November 21, 2014 - Source: Stu Forster/Getty Images Europe)

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 Kieran Read of the All Blacks is tackled during the Intenational match between Wales and the New Zealand All Blacks at the Millennium Stadium on November 22, 2014 in Cardiff, Wales.

(November 21, 2014 - Source: Phil Walter/Getty Images Europe)

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 Richie McCaw of the All Blacks is tackled during the Intenational match between Wales and the New Zealand All Blacks at the Millennium Stadium on November 22, 2014 in Cardiff, Wales.

(November 21, 2014 - Source: Phil Walter/Getty Images Europe)

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 Beauden Barrett of the All Blacks makes a break during the Intenational match between Wales and the New Zealand All Blacks at the Millennium Stadium on November 22, 2014 in Cardiff, Wales.

(November 21, 2014 - Source: Phil Walter/Getty Images Europe)

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 Kieran Read of the All Blacks scores a try in the tackle of Justin Tipuric of Wales during the Intenational match between Wales and the New Zealand All Blacks at the Millennium Stadium on November 22, 2014 in Cardiff, Wales.

(November 21, 2014 - Source: Phil Walter/Getty Images Europe)

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 Kieran Read (R) of the All Blacks scores his sides fourth try despite the attentions of Justin Tipuric of Wales during the International match between Wales and New Zealand at the Millennium Stadium on November 22, 2014 in Cardiff, Wales.

(November 21, 2014 - Source: Michael Steele/Getty Images Europe)

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 Richie McCaw of the All Blacks and Jamie Roberts of Wales contest the high ball during the Intenational match between Wales and the New Zealand All Blacks at the Millennium Stadium on November 22, 2014 in Cardiff, Wales.

(November 21, 2014 - Source: Phil Walter/Getty Images Europe)

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 Wales captain Sam Warburton (c) Dan Lydiate (l) and Mike Phillips combine to thwart Richie McCaw of New Zealand during the International match between Wales and New Zealand All Blacks at Millennium Stadium on November 22, 2014 in Cardiff, Wales.

(November 21, 2014 - Source: Stu Forster/Getty Images Europe)

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 Alex Cuthbert of Walesis upended as Leigh Halfpenny gathers possession during the International match between Wales and New Zealand at the Millennium Stadium on November 22, 2014 in Cardiff, Wales.

(November 21, 2014 - Source: Michael Steele/Getty Images Europe)

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Wales scrum half Rhys Webb scores the first Wales try during the International match between Wales and New Zealand All Blacks at Millennium Stadium on November 22, 2014 in Cardiff, Wales.

(November 21, 2014 - Source: Stu Forster/Getty Images Europe)

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Jamie Roberts of Wales is tackled by Wyatt Crockett of the All Blacks during the International match between Wales and New Zealand at the Millennium Stadium on November 22, 2014 in Cardiff, Wales.

(November 21, 2014 - Source: Michael Steele/Getty Images Europe)

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Wyatt Crockett of the All Blacks drinks from the trophy following the Intenational match between Wales and the New Zealand All Blacks at the Millennium Stadium on November 22, 2014 in Cardiff, Wales.

(November 21, 2014 - Source: Phil Walter/Getty Images Europe)

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