Relief eclipsed joy after the All Blacks scored a try in injury time to snatch a 24-22 win over Ireland in Dublin and complete a perfect season.
With New Zealand trailing the inspired hosts 22-17, reserve centre Ryan Crotty crossed 90 seconds after the final hooter and first five-eighth Aaron Cruden slotted a sideline conversion to complete the comeback.
It was the first time the All Blacks led a breathtaking Test, after Ireland had raced to a 19-0 lead inside 18 minutes.
The hosts appeared on course for their first win over New Zealand in 28 Tests straddling 108 years up until the final movement of the game.
After earning a penalty inside their own half with less than a minute to play, the world champions ground steadily downfield before reserve hooker Dane Coles popped a pass to Crotty, who crossed in the left corner.
The try was analysed for nearly five minutes by English third match official Graham Hughes, who eventually ruled Coles' pass wasn't forward, prompting deafening boos from the 51,000 capacity crowd at Aviva Stadium.
With the scores level, there was more drama as Cruden missed his initial conversion attempt.
However, Welsh referee Nigel Owen deemed Ireland had charged at the kick prematurely and allowed the No.10 a second chance, which he slotted.
By avoiding one of the great Test rugby upsets, New Zealand compete the season with 14 wins from as many games, becoming the first team in the 18-year professional era to produce a 100 per cent record.
Despite an error-strewn performance, coach Steve Hansen hailed the All Blacks' composure.
"To come from where we did, to claw our way across the line is pretty special. That's why they are a special team," he said.
"We just knew that if we backed our structures an opportunity could come because Ireland were starting to tire a bit."
"Maybe another day, Ireland would have won it but we'll take it, we'll enjoy the summer and reflect on what's been a great year."
World No.7-ranked Ireland played with more commitment, particularly in the first half, when they opened up a 22-7 lead.
Ireland's performance was a stark contrast from their 60-0 loss when they last played the All Blacks in Hamilton 17 months ago and from the listless 32-15 loss to Australia last weekend.
Their New Zealand coach Joe Schmidt was despondent not to have thwarted the All Blacks' drive for perfection.
"Fourteen wins out of 14 is pretty phenomenal and to be the only ones to knock them over would have been a feather in the lads' cap," Schmidt said.
"It's great to have an improved performance but it was all about getting that and the result. It was devastating not to get the result."
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