2002 Tri-Nations
Thorne satisfied with victory
August 18, 2002
Reuben Thorne lifts the 2002 Super 12 trophy following the Crusaders' victory over the Brumbies at Lancaster Park, 25 May 2002
Reuben Thorne has already experienced Super Rugby success this season © Getty Images
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All Blacks captain Reuben Thorne says his team is delighted to win the Tri-Nations title, but would like to have done so on the field.

New Zealand's 30-23 win over South Africa last weekend meant the Wallabies needed to beat the Springboks by 26 points or more and score at least four tries to retain the Tri-Nations title, but Australia went down 33-31 with a converted Werner Greeff try after the final hooter.

Having watched the game from his lounge room in New Zealand, Thorne says claiming a fourth Tri-Nations title in the four-year history of the tournament was great, but perhaps slightly strange.

"It was bit odd watching it, and getting the result and not being able to be there," Thorne told reporters on Sunday. "But it's just the way it went. It can't be helped. But certainly the boys will be satisfied and proud of what they've achieved.

Thorne added that the title win was fitting reward for a campaign that netted three wins from four games, but it was the one that got away, courtesy of a Matt Burke penalty in Sydney, that brought about the All Blacks' only disappointment.

"We were only a whisker away from a clean sweep and winning the whole lot," Thorne said. "But it's still pretty satisfying to win the Tri-Nations, which is the main goal, and it's something we hadn't done for a couple of years."

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