New Zealand exacted revenge for last weekend's loss in Sydney with an outstanding 41-13 win over Australia, thus retaining the Bledisloe Cup.
It was a very different story to seven days ago as the All Blacks were relentless as they kicked on in the second-half, turning a 13-6 lead into the final result to cap Richie McCaw's special day with an ideal result.
Tries were scored by Dane Coles, a penalty try, Ma'a Nonu (2) and Conrad Smith as the world champions go into the World Cup on a positive note.
It was an nervy start for New Zealand as they forced offloads out of rucks and struggled to contain the Wallaby backline, notably Israel Folau. And eventually Australia were rewarded with three points as Quade Cooper silenced the boos with a penalty goal from near to his left sideline.
That kick on seven minutes didn't wake up the All Blacks as mistakes continued, with the world champions looking flustered on their home patch.
New Zealand did level matters on seventeen minutes when good work at the breakdown handed Dan Carter a shot from range, which he took superbly before the Wallabies looked to apply the pressure in the home side's 22. They certainly did that, but excellent defence kept Australia at bay.
To compound Australia's disappointment not to add to their tally, New Zealand broke through Carter on halfway as he scythed through like the Carter of old before setting up hooker Coles who sprinted over from 35 metres out. With the conversion, the All Blacks were 10-3 to the good.
The sides would trade penalties around the half-hour mark to make it 13-6, with the latter offence, Conrad Smith taking out Adam Ashley-Cooper in the air, seeing the centre fortunate not to see yellow. Carter and Cooper were both on-target though, continuing their 100 percent records.
Carter wasn't so solid with his attempted drop-goal right on half-time which meant the scoreline was not altered going into the dressing rooms.
New Zealand were this time the side on song early in the half and it took them just six minutes to put themselves in a commanding position, as wing Nehe Milner-Skudder's brilliant footwork before an even better offload led to Aaron Smith being taken high by Cooper five metres out. The penalty try was awarded and to compound Australia's woes, their fly-half was given his marching orders for ten minutes by Welsh referee Owens.
20-6 soon became 27-6 when Milner-Skudder was again involved, this time kicking down the line before recycled ball was swiftly moved along to Ma'a Nonu who strolled over for their third try. With Carter's successful conversion, the All Blacks were dominating and looking for more scores.
Their fourth try came thanks to Nonu's bust up to within ten metres and then he was on hand to fire out the assist to his centre partner Smith, who was deserving of his crossing after an outstanding workmanlike performance that silenced all of his recent critics. It was now a 34-6 lead.
New Zealand were now cruising against a Wallaby side that was a shadow of last week's team, with Nonu grabbing his brace on 65 minutes when he switched with Carter, brushing off scrum-half Nic White en route to the line. Steve Hansen would then empty the bench which prompted one of the loudest cheers of the night as captain and world record appearance holder Richie McCaw came off. He would later lift the coveted Bledisloe Cup.
For Australia this was a lesson and a significant psychological blow as they were outclassed in Auckland, with Israel Folau's late consolation try doing little to paper over what was a hugely disappointing day at the office that sends them into the Rugby World Cup Pool of Death shaken.
Man of the match: Plenty stood up for New Zealand after that Sydney defeat but one player who was brilliant in everything he did was Conrad Smith. His efforts in defence and attack saw him rewarded with a score as he edges out Ma'a Nonu, Dan Carter and many others to this award.
Moment of the match: It was 13-6 when Nehe Milner-Skudder sliced through the Wallaby defence with his trademark step. What followed was an unreal offload that led to a penalty try. A close second in this category has to be the ovation Richie McCaw received when he was replaced.
Villain of the match: It wouldn't be Eden Park and Australia in town without Quade Cooper being seen as the bad guy. His yellow card for taking out Aaron Smith prompted New Zealand to up the pace and they never looked back from that moment. Michael Cheika's gamble did not pay off.
The scorers:
For New Zealand:
Tries: Coles, Penalty, Nonu 2, C Smith
Con: Carter 5
Pen: Carter 2
For Australia:
Try: Folau
Con: White
Pen: Cooper 2
Yellow: Cooper (high tackle - 49 mins)
New Zealand: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Nehe Milner-Skudder, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (c), 6 Victor Vito, 5 Samuel Whitelock, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Keven Mealamu, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Nepo Laulala, 19 Jerome Kaino, 20 Sam Cane, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Colin Slade, 23 Malakai Fekitoa.
Australia: 15 Israel Folau, 14 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Matt Toomua, 11 Henry Speight, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Nic White, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Scott Fardy, 5 James Horwill, 4 Will Skelton, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Stephen Moore (c), 1 Scott Sio.
Replacements: 16 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 17 James Slipper, 18 Greg Holmes, 19 Dean Mumm, 20 Kane Douglas, 21 David Pocock, 22 Matt Giteau, 23 Kurtley Beale.
Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
Assistant referees: Wayne Barnes (England), Federico Anselmi (Argentina)
TMO: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)
