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BRISBANE - Australian rugby fans perused their Sunday papers and realised it wasn't just a bad dream at Suncorp Stadium last night.
"Wallabies heartbreak - Australia blow Tri-Nations decider," screamed the back page of Sydney's Sun-Herald newspaper.
In Brisbane's Sunday Mail, a glum group of Wallabies were pictured alongside a galloping All Blacks centre Conrad Smith on the way to setting up prop Tony Woodcock's vital 50th minute try.
"Black Magic - Kiwis' Bledisloe Cup escape breaks Wallabies hearts," said its back page.
The Wallabies led 17-7 early in the second half before an All Blacks blitz of three tries in 17 minutes ensured they sealed the Tri-Nations title and Bledisloe Cup, 28-24.
Said Sunday Mail rugby writer Jim Tucker: "For 10 dizzy minutes the Wallabies fed a sellout Suncorp Stadium crowd the Tri-Nations dream they had come to see before an All Black stampede left them in the dust as gallant losers."
The Sun-Herald's Greg Growden said it was the right result, despite the Wallabies coming so close to an upset victory.
"For a few minutes, it looked as though some silverware was at last heading Australian rugby's way. Then the All Blacks decided to get serious and simply eased the Wallabies out of the test.
"While the Tri-Nations and Bledisloe Cup trophies remain in New Zealand, the Wallabies were left lamenting wasted opportunities which saw their Tri-Nations campaign fall just short."
Former Wallabies coach John Connolly said the team's courage, a fortnight after a 53-8 drubbing from South Africa, still wasn't enough against the All Blacks.
"Last night they played with spirit and commitment, only to be beaten by a number of mistakes," Connolly wrote in the Sun-Herald.
"I have no doubt they'll regret losing this game for a long time."
And he said the result was a triumph for All Blacks coach Graham Henry with a new-look side.
"While there were some great players for Australia, the win was a huge achievement for the All Blacks who have lost 17 players to overseas clubs."
- NZPA
