All Blacks determined to create more history

The All Blacks’ ability to seal the Rugby Championship with two rounds remaining highlighted the burgeoning gap between the world champions and the rest of the sides, though the team were not prepared to let their final games become footnotes.

Their 41-13 bonus-point victory over the Springboks in Christchurch on Saturday gave them their 15th successive win stretching back to last year and the title was confirmed when Australia beat Argentina 36-20 in Perth later.

The All Blacks, playing a fast-paced and high skill style, have the maximum 20 points from the four games, with Australia second on nine points. The best total the Wallabies could finish with is 19. South Africa have six and Argentina five points.