The Wallabies produced a much better first half than last week but were blown away in the second as the All Blacks took out a 33-13 win in Wellington.
The Kiwis were ruthless as they outclassed an Australian side that heads to the Spring Tour desperate for a win.
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So what did we learn?
The All Blacks were intent on celebrating Sam Cane’s 100th in style and ending a Wellington drought as they produced a dominant second half.
A lot has been made of the Kiwis’ late fadeouts in the Rugby Championship but this was a near-perfect display from the All Blacks.
They smothered the Wallabies who were left struggling to stop them despite great passages of defence.
Having Damian McKenzie to bring on late is a cheat code, piecing the Australians apart, who didn’t help their case with their mistakes and ill-discipline.
It also ends New Zealand’s lean run in the capital, which turned out in force for the occasion.
Joe Schmidt’s attacking DNA was clear to see early on as the trickery stumped the All Blacks early on.
He’s one of the smarter operators in World Rugby and the blindside play from Andrew Kellaway showed this, which nearly delivered the opening try had Jake Gordon picked up the ball cleanly from the ground.
Minutes later, a tap play which saw multiple forwards decoy put Australia on the attack for Fraser McReight to dive over.
The expansive play is still delivering some heart-stopping moments for Wallabies fans, especially from inside their 22 and had little chance to shine in the second half as the All Blacks dominated territory.
But it was a great sign of what to expect if the Wallabies can continue to grow.
The All Blacks were able to turn the game and deliver the win off the back of a bold decision right on half-time.
No team is better at capitalising on late first half pressure than the All Blacks and captain Scott Barrett’s decision to turn down three for seven showed the confidence.
They were denied a try at a similar moment in Sydney but nothing was denying Caleb Clarke’s effort after the siren.
From there, the Kiwis never looked back.
It’s one of those key parts of the Bledisloe script in the past 20 years and why the All Blacks have had such success.
Taniela Tupou had anything but a quiet shift.
He looked destined to be subbed early after an awkward tackle in the opening seconds from Scott Barrett.
A lot is made of Tupou’s fitness but the way he fought through is admirable, even if he gave away a couple of bad mistakes.
His work at the breakdown gave Australia a crucial three points after Will Jordan’s try whilst scrummed strong to draw a penalty.
He then went down holding his shoulder almost at the exact same point as the first half before going off two minutes later.
The All Blacks’ back three had a field day and pushed the Kiwis’ case for having the best depth there in the world.
Will Jordan, Caleb Clarke and Sevu Reece all crossed in the first half as the All Blacks were lethal inside the 22.
Jordan was electric and arguably their best whilst Clarke bounced off tacklers with ease to cross for a double.
It’s amazing to think Mark Tele’a, one of the best from Super Rugby Pacific 2024, is just waiting in the wings whilst Leicester Fainga’anuku will be eligible for 2025.
