The All Blacks have turned around their poor performance in Sydney against the Wallabies last weekend with a comprehensive victory over Australia at Eden Park last night.
The winning All Blacks pose with the Bledisloe Cup after their 41-13 thrashing of the Wallabies. Photo: PhotoSport
Needing to win in Auckland to retain the Bledisloe Cup, the All Blacks outscored the Wallabies five 5 tries to 1 to win 41-13 and hold onto the trans-tasman trophy for the 13th straight year.
In what was a memorable night for many reasons the 48,457 strong crowd witnessed one of the All Blacks' strongest performances in recent years.
Look at how the match unfolded here
All Blacks captain Richie McCaw made history last night when he became the most capped international rugby player of all time with 142 tests in the black jersey.
The night also marked the last time McCaw, Daniel Carter, Tony Woodcock, Ma'a Nonu, Keven Mealamu and Conrad Smith played in an All Black test on home soil.
Following a couple of days of reflection after their loss in Sydney, Steve Hansen and his side admitted earlier in the week that they needed to be more physical against the Wallabies and they proved it, outplaying the visitors in most parts of the field.
A rejuvinated All Black halfback Aaron Smith and first five Daniel Carter took control of the game from the backline, while McCaw lead from the front with his forward pack to give the backs plenty of opportunities to attack the Wallabies defensive line.
Only one try was scored in the first half to All Blacks hooker Dane Coles after Dan Carter found a hole in the Wallabies defence before drawing in 2 defenders and completing the move with an offload to Coles who outran Australia's Nic White to the try line.
Carter added to the try with a conversion and two penalties to take the homeside to 13-6 at the end of the first half, although a wayward drop goal attempt from Carter on the stroke of half time almost made it 16-6.
Dane Coles of the All Blacks runs in a try during the Bledisloe Cup Rugby test match between New Zealand and Australia at Eden Park Photo: PhotoSport
After the break came the defining moment of the match when an energetic Aaron Smith made a break for the Wallabies try line before he was tackled above the shoulders by Wallabies first five Quade Cooper just five metres short of the chalk.
Cooper received a yellow card for the tackle and the All Blacks were awarded a penalty try in the process.
In the space of the 10 minutes he was off the field, two more tries were let in as the All Blacks captitalized on the extra man within their pack.
First to score was second five Ma'a Nonu and the other went to his midfield partner Conrad Smith.
All Blacks' midfielder Ma'a Nonu scoring a try in the 2015 Bledisloe Cup test match at Eden Park. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Kurtley Beale came on for Cooper following the binning but one more try to Nonu in the 64th minute would be enough to get the All Blacks out to a 43-6 lead with only 15 minutes remaining.
After the game Wallabies coach Michael Cheika admitted that Cooper's yellow card was a costly mistake that ultimately lead to the Wallabies loss.
A consolation try to Australian fullback Israel Folou who played a stand out performance in the yellow jersey was the only real consolation for the visitors.
