The more things change, the more they stay the same.
The Eden Park record remains intact and the Rugby Championship belongs to the All Blacks.
Coach Ian Foster's side showed rumours of their demise have been greatly exaggerated, coming away with a 40-14 victory against the Wallabies, whose wait to triumph at Auckland will continue into a 37th year.
What's more, South Africa's inability to earn a bonus-point win over Argentina leaves the All Blacks at the top of the southern hemisphere pile.
Now about to enjoy the best part of a month off, the All Blacks can recharge, before finishing 2022 with their northern hemisphere tour later this year.
Here's how the world press reacted:
James While, PlanetRugby
'Started to look like the All Blacks once again'
In a one-sided test match where Australia were masters of their own downfall in accuracy and legality, New Zealand put in one of their most convincing performances at Eden Park with a full bonus-point win.
Australia hasn't won at Eden Park for some 36 years now - it is New Zealand's fortress, very much their own Garden of Eden and once again, it proved impregnable for the visitors.
This might just be one small win in the course of a long year approaching for New Zealand but this will please their management more than any other display this season - for the simple reason they started to look like All Blacks once again.
Christy Doran, Fox Sports
'What is it about Eden Park?'
The Wallabies' 36-year Eden Park hoodoo has continued, with the All Blacks making their trans-Tasman neighbours pay for a number of embarrassing mistakes by sealing an emphatic 40-14 victory.
What is it about Eden Park that makes Wallabies sides self combust?
The Wallabies were horrible from start to finish, making 15 handling errors to the All Blacks' six while also conceding two first-half yellow cards that had them chasing their tails from the outset.
News.com.au
'Laughing at us'
They're laughing at us in New Zealand. One step forward. Two steps back. Yet again.
The Wallabies were thrashed by the All Blacks at Eden Park on Saturday night, dashing any hope of a Wallabies revival.
There was considerable optimism surrounding the Wallabies' last-gasp defeat in Melbourne last week - but all the demons were waiting for the Wallabies in Auckland as the Kiwis cruised to a 40-14 win that flattered the Wallabies with a last-minute try.
Eden Park is a venue at which the All Blacks have not lost since 1994 and not to the Wallabies since 1986. It's dark magic doesn't look like ending anytime soon.
Matt McIlraith, The Guardian
'Final judgement rests on November assignments'
The former Wallabies captain Rocky Elsom wryly observed before a 2011 test at Eden Park that he had "never met any ghosts out there", but there has certainly been a graveyard these past 36 years and it now has a new headstone.
For the All Blacks, while not removing the stains of the historic losses to Ireland and Argentina, the win at least allows Ian Foster's side to level up their home record for the year to 50 percent.
The final judgement on the season now rests on their November assignments, and most especially the trip to Twickenham, with a win over Eddie Jones's England required to improve an unsatisfactory year.
Harri Thomas, The Telegraph
'20 years, 27 tests'
Crocodile Dundee was in the cinemas the last time Australia won at the All Blacks' Eden Park fortress and it is more than 20 years, and now 27 tests, since the Wallabies won anywhere on the old foe's territory.
In the end it was an easy victory for the hosts, the Wallabies showing continuous ill-discipline throughout.
They lost two players to the sin-bin in the first half and conceded a penalty try at a collapsed maul to put the hosts 17-0 going into the break.
