All Blacks complete whitewash
New Zealand beat England 36-13 to win record-equaling 17th consecutive Test match while Australia thrash France.
Julian Savea scored a hat-trick of tries as New Zealand produced a clinical, high-paced first-half performance to set up a 36-13 win over England and seal a record-equaling 17th successive Test victory at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton.
Savea crossed the tryline three times in that opening quarter but was only awarded two tries with the final pass on his potential third drifting forward after yet another clinical interplay between the pack and backline.
Burns slotted his second penalty to reduce the deficit to 15-6 before Billy Vunipola was harshly adjudged to have committed a high tackle on Cruden and given a yellow card by Jerome Garces.
I thought the boys' skills were outstanding in the first 20 minutes and we really put the pressure on.
Scrum-half Aaron Smith then ran the perfect support lines to cross twice as the All Blacks again cut through the England defence with ease and established an imposing 29-6 half-time lead.
England winger Yarde crossed shortly after the break as the visitors finally imposed themselves and while they had several opportunities to score were unable to breach a desperate smothering All Blacks defence.
Savea then completed his hat-trick almost two minutes after the final hooter had sounded as the hosts kept the ball alive, with Barrett adding the conversion.
“I thought the boys’ skills were outstanding in the first 20 minutes and we really put the pressure on,” All Blacks captain Richie McCaw told media.
Wallabies rout France
Australia completed their first 3-0 series sweep over France with a 39-13 victory in the third Test in a clear statement of attacking intent ahead of the southern hemisphere’s Rugby Championships.
Israel Folau’s two tries and a sparkling debut by giant lock Will Skelton highlighted a dominant display by the Wallabies at Sydney Football Stadium.
Bernard Foley continued his impressive goal-kicking with 14 points as the Wallabies posted a seventh-straight Test win; a feat they last achieved in the 1999-2000 season.
Guilhem Guirado scored a consolation try for France, who have not won in Australia in their past 11 Tests dating back 24 years.