Carter wins thriller for All Blacks

Dan Carter celebrated his return to the All Blacks with a penalty two minutes from full-time to give New Zealand a thrilling 19-18 win over Australia in the Tri-Nations in Sydney yesterday.

Carter, playing his first test match this year after returning from injury, held his nerve to land the match-winning kick after Australia wing Lachie Turner was penalised for failing to release the ball.

Carter also kicked three other penalties and converted a try by replacement centre Ma'a Nonu as the All Blacks clawed their way back from a nine-point deficit at half-time to post their second win of the series.

The Australians, who have been beaten in each of their three Tri-Nations games this year, led for most of the match after flyhalf Matt Giteau kicked six penalties from as many attempts and had a chance to snatch victory at the death only to spill the ball metres from the New Zealand line.