Two tries from barnstorming winger Waisake Naholo capped a dominant second-half display from the All Blacks, as they steamrolled Australian 38-13 in Sydney.
Opening their 2018 Bledisloe Cup and Rugby Championship campaign against their trans-Tasman rivals, the NZ side were held to just one late try in the opening half and trailled into the break.
It took just another four minutes for the All Blacks take their first lead of the match, with centre Jack Goodhue capitalising on a marginal strip from wing Waisake Naholo on counterpart Marike Koroibete across the field.
Tries to Beauden Barrett and Brodie Retallick extended the advantage to 20 points - newcomer Jack Maddocks got one back for the Wallabies - but a late double from Naholo completed the rout.
"I thought Wais had his best game for the All Blacks tonight," said coach Steve Hansen. "He finished the tries that were put on for him and, I thought Jack Goodhue was nice and kept the back-line straight."
The powerhouse winger was a constant threat, but his tries were a symptom of a Wallabies outfit that had run out of energy and inspiration under pressure from the world champions.
Their first-half performance had been resolute and their defence was especially effective, but conceding a try on the stroke of half-time really conceded momentum.
"We weren't concerned," insisted All Blacks coach Steve Hansen afterwards. "We thought the first half was like a prize fight, with both teams testing each other out.
"They had their moments in the first half and then it was our turn to have our moment. After half-time, we hit the boards running."
As the game wore on, the NZ forwards began to overwhelm their counterparts. Australia had great difficulty winning their own lineout throws - they lost seven, mainly to Retallick - and the All Blacks scrum also gained the upper hand.
"The lineout was a big part of the Australian game and we knew if we could hurt them there a wee bit, we could nullify their back play and that worked well."
The All Blacks will have to regroup from a couple of worrying injuries - both Ryan Crotty and Rieko Ioane left the field early - but they seem to have plenty of depth to cover those losses.
Their bench was again a key to their dominance, with Anton Lienert-Brown logging big minutes for Crotty and Damian McKenzie also cutting up tired defenders.
On other hand, Australia may have to replace star fullback Israel Folau, who also limped off with an ankle niggle.
And they have to bounce back at Eden Park next Saturday - a venue where the All Blacks are virtually unbeatable.
All Blacks 38 (Waisake Naholo 2, Brodie Retallick, Beauden Barrett, Jack Goodhue, Aaron Smith try; Beauden Barrett 4 conversions) Wallabies 13 (Jack Maddocks try; Reece Hodge penalty, Bernard Foley conversion & penalties)
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