New Zealand claim Tri-Nations title

New Zealand were crowned Tri-Nations champions on Saturday after defeating Australia 34-24 at Eden Park in Auckland.

The All Blacks had to beat their arch-rivals in order to pip last year’s winners South Africa to the title and managed it thanks in large to returning winger Doug Howlett.

Howlett, who was this week brought back into the starting line-up in place of Rico Gear, scored a hat-trick of tries while flanker Richie McCaw also weighed in with a score as Australia suffered their fifth successive Test defeat.

The Wallabies, who trailed 20-5 at half-time, also managed to score four tries through Mark Gerrard, Mark Chisholm, Lote Tuqiri and Lloyd Johansson, but it was not enough to deny the All Blacks.