Sporting achievements: Team of the year

Ruben Wiki proudly displays the Tri-Nations Cup. Alex Livesay / Getty Images

It was enough to bring anyone to tears - the sight of Kiwis hardman Ruben Wiki struggling to control his emotions after beating Australia 24-0 in the Tri-Nations final while coach Brian McClennan was jumping around in the background like a madman.

It wasn't just any old win, however - it was the first time Australia had lost a series since 1978, New Zealand's first series win over their transtasman rivals since 1953 and the first time Australia had been kept scoreless in a test for 20 years. On top of that, it equalled the Kangaroos' biggest-ever test loss and came on the back of the Kiwis' 38-28 win in Sydney, the first in Australia for 46 years.

The Kangaroos had gone into the final as heavy favourites but were blunted by a side high on passion for the black-and-white jersey.

"It's huge, bigger than Ben-Hur," McClennan enthused. Charlton Heston might have a few things to say about that but there will be few arguments from Kiwi league fans.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY