 In 2005 New Zealand whitewashed the touring British and Irish Lions during their three @-@ match test series , won the Tri @-@ Nations , and achieved a second Grand Slam over the Home Nations for the first time since 1978 . They went on to sweep the major IRB ( now World Rugby ) awards in which they were named : Team of the Year , Henry was named Coach of the Year , and first five @-@ eighth Dan Carter was Player of the Year . New Zealand were nominated for the Laureus World Sports Award for Team of the Year in 2006 for their 2005 performance . The following year they again took the Tri @-@ Nations Series after winning their first five matches , three against Australia and two against South Africa . They lost their final match of the series against South Africa . They completed their end of year tour unbeaten , with record away wins over France , England and Wales . New Zealand were named 2006 IRB Team of the Year and were nominated for the Laureus World Sports Award for the second time , while flanker Richie McCaw was named IRB Player of the Year for the first time . 
