The All Blacks stared defeat in the face and refused to blink last night as they unleashed a withering second half burst to claim the Tri-Nations title by a 28-24 win over the Wallabies.

New Zealand were pushed to the limit by a willing Wallabies performance that saw them explode out to a 17-7 lead early in the second half but the All Blacks came back strongly with 3 tries to prop Tony Woodcock, replacement halfback Piri Weepu and Dan Carter.

It was a brilliant second half performance by the All Blacks. They dominated the breakdown, vital if they were to halt the Wallabies possession dominance and with their big game performers like Richie McCaw, Dan Carter, Rodney So'oialo and Mils Muliaina stepping up to the mark.

The All Blacks have now won 4 straight Tri-Nations and 6 out of the last 7.

The Springboks may be World Champions, but Graham Henry's New Zealand are undisputed Kings of the Southern Hemisphere rugby.