The All Blacks have a reason to celebrate one week into their managed isolation period, as they were officially crowned Tri Nations champions after Australia and Argentina played out another draw.
With the Wallabies needing to win by 101 points and the Pumas 92, the All Blacks were always likely to clinch the title, but Saturday's 16-16 draw at Bankwest Stadium confirmed Ian Foster's men as champions.
The All Blacks finish top with two wins and two losses, with Argentina and Australia - who played out a 15-15 draw a fortnight ago - both finishing on eight points with one win, two draws, and one loss. The Pumas finished above the Wallabies due to their superior points differential.
Things could have turned out so much differently in 2020 for the Wallabies as fullback Reece Hodge missed a potential match-winning penalty for the third time this season. He missed the target in the 16-16 draw against the All Blacks in October and two weeks ago against the Pumas.
"I feel a bit sorry for him," says Wallabies coach Dave Rennie. "He's kicked well - and there weren't many lining up to make that shot.
"It would have been nice if he'd kicked that, but it is what it is."
But the Wallabies did battle back against Argentina, who led 13-3 at the halftime break.
The fact the Wallabies had a sniff at victory was remarkable as they played the final 20 minutes a man down after replacement lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto was sent off for a dangerous tackle, but when Argentina's Lucas Paulos was sent to the sin-bin, the Wallabies took advantage to drive captain Michael Hooper over from the back of a maul for his 20th test try.
The Pumas were without their regular captain Pablo Matera, who was left out of the squad for "discriminatory and xenophobic" comments made on social media between 2011-13 that emerged this week.
On Tuesday, Matera along with lock Guido Petti and hooker Santiago Socino were suspended and Matera was stripped of the captaincy, only for the punishments to be rescinded by the Argentina Rugby Union on Thursday after an outcry from the players.
Australia ended up with three draws, one win, and two losses in six tests this season, while the Pumas finished their remarkable tournament with their first win over the All Blacks, a loss to the New Zealanders last week, and the two draws.
