First half tries from Mils Muliaina and Conrad Smith saw Australia coach Robbie Deans witness his side slump to a record equalling ninth consecutive defeat against New Zealand with just over a year until the World Cup.
The Wallabies looked confident and had the majority of early possession but a quick line out by the All Blacks set up Mils Muliaina for the opening try. Excellent hands from Piri Weepu and Joe Rokocoko allowed the full back to race down the touchline and score with Dan Carter adding the conversion.
However the Wallabies hit back immediately when David Pocock grabbed Carter’s spilled ball and offloaded to Kurtley Beale who sprinted 60 metres to score. Matt Giteau slotted the extras to level the scores 7-7 in a breathless opening 11 minutes.
In the blistering first quarter the All Blacks responded just four minutes later with a try for centre Conrad Smith. Carter’s break allowed New Zealand to work the ball to Smith and his try in the left corner was awarded by the Television Match Official. Carter again converted from the touchline.
A Giteau penalty kept Australia in touch but Will Genia gifted the All Blacks their first penalty in the 33rd minute for holding on, Carter extending New Zealand’s lead to 17-10 at half time.
The electrifying pace settled down after the break but Smith nearly scored his second in the 50th minute when a perfectly weighted Carter kick forced the Wallabies defence to scramble on their line.
However the first and only score in the second half came in the 70th minute when another Dan Carter penalty made Australia pay for sloppy work at the breakdown giving New Zealand an unassailable lead.
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