All Blacks bounce back with 41-13 thrashing of Wallabies

The All Blacks' frustration at last week's loss to the Wallabies in Sydney spilled over in the return match in Auckland on Saturday where they thrashed the Australians 41-13.

The New Zealanders' pride was wounded when they lost the Rugby Championship decider 27-19 and they were determined to make amends and retain the Bledisloe Cup for the 13th consecutive year.

The world champions led 13-6 at half-time and then stunned the Wallabies with three tries in a seven minute burst at the start of the second spell which began with a penalty try following a head-high tackle by Quade Cooper.

The All Blacks scored five tries with Dane Coles, Ma'a Nonu (twice) and Conrad Smith crossing the line along with the penalty try while Dan Carter was on song with his boot landing all five conversions and two penalties.

The Wallabies, who have scored at least two tries in their past nine Tests, were limited to one late touchdown by Israel Folau and two Cooper penalties.

The sense of urgency in the All Blacks' play was fitting for the farewell appearance in New Zealand by six of their elder statesmen -- Richie McCaw, in his record-setting 142nd Test, Dan Carter, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Keven Mealamu and Tony Woodcock.

The All Blacks were jittery at the start with hurried passes going to no one in particular and their desperation to get an early ascendancy resulted in three penalties in the opening 10 minutes.

One within kicking range was easily turned into points by Cooper to get the Wallabies on the board first.

But when the All Blacks settled they piled on 13 points through the middle stages of the first half.

Carter landed two penalties and played a central role in the All Blacks' first try, an end-to-end move that started with a turnover by Sam Whitelock.

The All Blacks elected to counter-attack from inside their 22 with Carter stepping through two defenders before sending hooker Dane Coles on a 40-metre run to the line.

Cooper came back with a second penalty for the Wallabies as they went into the break with the All Blacks ahead 13-6.

The deficit forced Wallabies coach Michael Cheika into action during the break.

Wycliff Palu and Will Skelton, who he started with to counter the All Blacks' onslaught, were replaced by the more mobile David Pocock and Dean Mumm.

But it did little to stem the All Blacks' tide with Ben Smith and Nehe Milner-Skudder combining to put Aaron Smith on a run to the line where he was felled three metres short by Cooper.

Referee Nigel Owens had no hesitation in awarding the penalty try and sending Cooper to the sin-bin.

Milner-Skudder was again in the action to set up Ma'a Nonu's first try and a Nonu pass then put Conrad Smith over as the All Blacks scored three tries in quick succession before Nonu scored his second with 15 minutes to go.

Folau scored the Wallabies' sole try when he intercepted an All Blacks' crosskick inside his own half and raced 60 metres to the line.

Not only did the All Blacks retain the Bledisloe Cup, contested annually between the trans-Tasman rivals, but they also kept alive their formidable record at Eden Park where they have won 34 consecutive Tests since 1994.

Australia have not won there in their last 16 attempts since 1986.
Source: AFP