All Blacks captain Richie McCaw, in reflecting on an incredible comeback from his team against Ireland this morning, says had Johnny Sexton kicked a late penalty it would have been all over for his side.
Instead, Sexton sent the kick in the final minutes wide and the All Blacks clawed their way back to win 24-22, Ryan Crotty and Aaron Cruden providing the late dramatics with a try and conversion after the 80 minutes was up.
"When they took that shot at goal, which would have put them out to eight points [ahead] the reality is if that had gone over it was probably game over,'' McCaw said.
"But when that missed you could sense a lift in the boys, we were still a chance and perhaps the Irish boys, they were trying to eat up time and when that happens you sense an opportunity could come.''