All Blacks at Eden Park: 10 best wins of the streak

It's the fortress that has never been breached in the professional era.

It's been three decades of dominance at Eden Park for the All Blacks, last beaten at the hallowed turf by the French in 1994.

World Cup glory, trans-Tasman supremacy, iconic moments - RNZ looks back at the 10 most memorable matches during the Eden Park streak.

1. 2011 - vs France, won 8-7

Decades of heartbreak finally put to bed.

The All Blacks had to grind out their second Rugby World Cup crown, emerging victorious on the same turf where their first triumph came 24 years prior. Tony Woodcock's 'teabag' try opened the scoring, before one of the greatest stories in rugby played out, with fourth choice first-five Stephen Donald called in from a whitebaiting trip. In an ill-fitting jersey, a year since his costly missed kick to touch in Hong Kong, he would slot what proved to be the match winning penalty in an utterly dramatic climax and etch himself into Eden Park folklore.

2. 2003 - vs Australia, won 21-17

The official end of the Australian empire as the Bledisloe comes home.

The Wallabies, once a dominant force of world rugby, were dethroned in the cauldron of Eden Park and haven't touched the Bledisloe since. It was a gritty battle, a Doug Howlett double put the All Blacks on top, it was then through the boot of Carlos Spencer the result was sealed and a new era for the All Blacks began. It also started a two decade long drought for the Australians, though they would get their revenge months later courtesy of a Stirling Mortlock intercept at the 2003 World Cup.

3. 2011 - vs Australia, won 20-6

Dagg takes flight, Kaino goes beast mode, a date with the French awaits.

A match of moments, from Israel Dagg's magical line break and offload, to Jerome Kaino dragging Digby Ioane away from the try line in a superhuman display of strength and determination, the All Blacks had booked themselves a spot in the World Cup final.

4. 2014 - vs Australia, won 51-20

A ruthless response.

With the 17-match winning streak ended the week before in Sydney with a 12-all draw, a vengeful All Blacks side replied in style. Skipper Richie McCaw scored twice while Aaron Cruden showed why he was nipping at Dan Carter's heels with a masterful display at first-five as the All Blacks notched another half century.

5. 2018 - vs Australia, won 40-12

A quartet of Barrett.

It was the Beaudy show in Auckland as the mercurial first five opened the scoring, slicing through a gaping hole in the Wallabies defence. His second came as he ran the perfect line close to the chalk. His third was his most spectacular. He broke free on halfway and gassed the cover to go under the sticks, before his fourth and final try came in the right corner right on the full-time siren on the back of a Damian McKenzie breakout.

6. 2011 - vs France, won 37-17

Statement sent.

Dan Carter appeared at the peak of his powers before he was cruelly struck down as the All Blacks put the French to the sword in their pool play clash. Adam Thomson set the tone with a try and John Cena inspired celebration, with Dagg benefiting from some Carter magic to bag a brace. The sides would meet again just four weeks later in a far tighter contest.

7. 2005 - vs Lions, won 38-19

Rookies run riot over languid Lions.

With the series lost and one foot already on the plane home, the Lions couldn't manage a consolation win on their woeful tour to Aotearoa, Luke McAlister stepping into Carter's boots after his Wellington master-class in one of eight changes to the side. He would set up two tries in a classy performance as the All Blacks whitewashed the Lions for the first time in 22 years.

8. 1997 - vs South Africa, won 55-35

First time putting 50 on the old foe.

A scoreline derided in the north, this was pure spectacle at the garden. With the park bathed in sunshine, the Boks were game for some 90's nonsense to celebrate Frank Bunce's 50th. Up by just two at the break, the All Blacks ran riot in the second 40, scoring seven tries, two to a rampant Christian Cullen.

9. 1999 - vs Australia, won 34-15

Mehrtens kicks himself into record books.

Looking to reclaim the Tri Nations and Bledisloe crowns they had forfeited a year earlier, the All Blacks dealt to a world class Wallabies outfit. Andrew Mehrtens slotted a world record equalling nine penalty goals as well as a conversion for a personal haul of 29 points with a Justin Marshall try sealing the one sided win.

10. 2015 - vs Australia, won 41-13

The great Dane

Memorable for Dane Coles in full flight as the hooker stepped his way around Adam Ashley Cooper, gassed the cover before sticking a mitt in Nic White's mush to score an absolute stunner. Some trademark Ma'a Nonu power capped off yet another dominant win over the Wallabies at Eden Park. A big blow ahead of the World Cup in England.

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