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Reuters

New Zealand’s ability to seal the Rugby Championship with two rounds remaining highlighted the burgeoning gap between the world champions and the rest of the sides, though the team were not prepared to let their final games become footnotes.
Their 41-13 bonus-point victory over the South Africa in Christchurch on Saturday gave them their 15th successive win stretching back to last year and the title was confirmed when Australia beat Argentina 36-20 in Perth later.
The All Blacks, playing a fast-paced and high skill style, have the maximum 20 points from the four games, with Australia second on nine points.
The best total the Wallabies could finish with is 19, with South Africa currently on six and Argentina five points.

“It’s very satisfying,” assistant coach Ian Foster said. “I guess wrapping up the Championship is more of a consequence of us playing some really good rugby and the way some of the other results have gone.
In the bag: All Blacks crush South Africa 41-13 to seal Rugby Championship title
“Certainly pleasing to have it done after four rounds, but in reality it doesn’t change much, does it?
“We’ve still got two games on the road, our expectations are high and I’m sure the public’s are too so we’ve got to keep going.”
Watch: New Zealand 41 South Africa 13


The All Blacks travel to Buenos Aires on Friday for their next match against Argentina on October 1 before they finish the competition against the struggling Springboks in Durban a week later.
If they win those two matches, they would extend their winning run to 17 consecutive matches, equalling a world record amongst top tier nations that was achieved by the Springboks from 1997-98 and the All Blacks from 1965-69 and again in 2013-14.
The challenge of facing fired-up Pumas and Springboks sides in their own backyards aside, coach Steve Hansen has already said he is likely to shake up his selections to ensure players do not burn out before the end of year tour.

Completing the Rugby Championship schedule undefeated would also mean the third Bledisloe Cup clash with Australia at Eden Park on October 22 would take on some actual meaning as the potential record breaker.
Of added significance is that the Wallabies have also halted two lengthy winning runs by the All Blacks in recent years, stopping their streak at 16 games in 2012 with an 18-18 draw.
Watch: What the coaches and players said


They then stopped the 2014 streak at 17 games with a 12-12 draw.
Foster said the history was one of the factors driving the team, though making sure they improved each week was far more important as they build towards the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
“It sounds a little bit more interesting,” he said of the record before adding their overall focus was more long term.
“It’s about challenging ourselves to be the best we can be.”


‘Stop whining,’ New Zealand’s Steve Hansen tells Australian counterpart Michael Cheika

New Zealand overcome Australia in Bledisloe Cup for record 18th straight test triumph

Quade Cooper dropped as Australia try to stop all-conquering All Blacks

‘Focused’ All Blacks won’t be distracted by Australia in world record bid

The Rugby Championship 2016

Can they be stopped? World record in sight for improving Rugby Championship-winning All Blacks

New Zealand players celebrate winning the Freedom Cup after their win over South Africa. Photo: AFP

All Blacks 1st-five Beauden Barrett fends off South African players during the Rugby Championship test match between New Zealand and South Africa, in Christchurch, New Zealand, Saturday Sept. 17, 2016. (Brett Phibbs/New Zealand Herald via AP)

All Blacks fullback Ben Smith scores against South Africa during the Rugby Championship test match between New Zealand and South Africa, in Christchurch, New Zealand, Saturday Sept. 17, 2016. (Brett Phibbs/New Zealand Herald via AP)

Holding on: Australia’s blitz start paves way for victory over Argentina

Australia scrum half Will Genia, who had an outstanding game, scores against Argentina in the Rugby Championship match in Perth. Australia won 36-20. Photo: AFP

epa05544159 Tatafu Polota-Nau (L) of the Wallabies is tackled by Leonardo Senatore of the Pumas during the Rugby Championship match between the Australian Wallabies and the Argentina Pumas at NIB Stadium in Perth, Australia, 17 September 2016. EPA/RICHARD WAINWRIGHT AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT

epa05544155 Michael Hooper (L) of the Wallabies runs to score a try during the Rugby Championship match between the Australian Wallabies and the Argentina Pumas at NIB Stadium in Perth, Australia, 17 September 2016. EPA/RICHARD WAINWRIGHT AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT

epa05544193 Facundo Isa (L) of the Pumas is tackled by Stephen Moore of the Wallabies during the Rugby Championship match between the Australian Wallabies and the Argentina Pumas at NIB Stadium in Perth, Australia, 17 September 2016. EPA/RICHARD WAINWRIGHT AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT

epa05543983 Austin Creepy (L) of the Pumas ia tackled by Sekope Kepu of the Wallabies during the Rugby Championship match between the Australian Wallabies and the Argentina Pumas at NIB Stadium in Perth, Australia, 17 September 2016. EPA/RICHARD WAINWRIGHT AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT

Rampant All Blacks crush Argentina to stay unbeaten in Rugby Championship

New Zealand's Julian Savea (left) celebrates with Ben Smith (right). Photo: AFP

New Zealand's flank Jerome Kaino (C) is tackled during the Rugby Championship match between the New Zealand All Blacks and Argentina at FMG Stadium Waikato in Hamilton on September 10, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / MICHAEL BRADLEY

New Zealand's scrumhalf Arron Smith (C) is tackled by Argentina's wing Matias Moroni (front) during the Rugby Championship match between the New Zealand All Blacks and Argentina at FMG Stadium Waikato in Hamilton on September 10, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / MICHAEL BRADLEY

Sport

Rugby

New Zealand seal title with a 41-13 bonus-point victory over South Africa in Christchurch on Saturday to record a 15th successive win


New Zealand’s ability to seal the Rugby Championship with two rounds remaining highlighted the burgeoning gap between the world champions and the rest of the sides, though the team were not prepared to let their final games become footnotes.
