OPINION: With the Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup already secured for another year, All Blacks coach Ian Foster used the trans-Tasman return match as a glorified trial for his Rugby World Cup squad.
That roster will be named on Monday, with several fringe candidates getting their chance to press their claim against Australia at Dunedin.
Suffice to say, many struggled during a disjointed 40 minutes that saw New Zealand trailling 17-3 at halftime, but some rookies - along some veterans bidding farwell to home soil - turned their performance around for a comeback win.
Here's how the NZ players stacked up at Forsyth Barr Stadium:
1-Tamaiti Williams 5.5
Undoubtedly has a big future at test level, but struggled in his first start, after a cameo off the bench against South Africa. Was penalised at the first scrum and two more times at defensive breakdowns, but contributed a valuable carry in the build-up to Shaun Stevenson's try in his 49 minutes.
2-Samisoni Taukei'aho 6
Regarded by many as our best hooker coming into this campaign, Taukei'aho was another to take time finding his feet in his first start of the year. Tossed a couple of wonky lineout throws, arrived too late to stop Aussie flanker Tom Hooper scoring and was stripped of the ball in a maul on his own 22.
Made up for his faults by holding up prop Pone Fa'amausili over the tryline and made 16 tackles, before he was replaced in the 53rd minute.
3-Nepo Laulala 5
Penalised for collapsing the second scrum of the night and dropped ball hot on attack, before he was replaced in the 49th minute. May have played his way out of the World Cup.
4-Brodie Retallick 6
Not featured at lineout time, but retreated quickly to snuff out a Wallabies attack, with a much-needed tackle on fullback Andrew Kellaway. Went down with a knee injury, but still won a ruck penalty, before eventually succumbing in the 26th minute.
All Blacks fans will hold their collective breath over his health moving forward.
5-Sam Whitelock 9
Rarely sighted as a lineout jumper, but his work around the breakdown was unparalleled, emerging with at least four turnovers, including one on his goal-line.
Showed his strength by rolling Wallabies captain Tate McDermott on his back to save a certain try and made 17 tackles. Saved one of his best performances for his last on NZ soil.
6-Samipeni Finau 7
One of those to struggle early, but gradually found his feet, as time wore on. Almost gifted the Aussies an early intercept try with a loose pass on their 22 and was prone to penalties around the breakdown, including one that allowed them to level at 20-20.
Became a featured lineout jumper, produced a series of powerful runs - including one on Leicester Fainga'anuku's non-try and another for his own try - and led his team with 19 tackles on defence. A promising debut.
7-Sam Cane 7
If there were concerns about his neck injury, it survived a workout at the opening kickoff, but he was ultimately pulled in the 72nd minute for his own safety.
Matched Finau (and Hooper) with a game-high 19 tackles, and his seven runs with the ball somehow yielded just two metres - that's less than 30cm per carry - but two offloads.
8-Ardie Savea 8
One of the veterans that helped pull this game back around for his team. Wrapped up McDermott to deny him a try and won a momentum-turning breakdown penalty early in the second half.
Sparked Fainga'anuku's near-try with a quick tap penalty inside the 22, before making another big run off the back of a midfield scrum, and excuted 15 tackles.
9-Finlay Christie 5.5
May have lost his back-up spot to Cam Roigard, with Brad Weber also lurking in the wings. Tackled fearlessly, including a big effort on rampaging lock Nick Frost, but service was improved, when Aaron Smith replaced him in the 52nd minute.
10-Damian McKenzie 5.5
Effectively played himself out of contention for the No.10 jersey for now, after starring during Super Rugby Pacific. Kicking game was a big factor in the All Blacks' first-half malaise, including two aimless attacking efforts easily marked by defenders, a long kick over the deadball line from his own 22 and missed touch from a penalty.
Was trampled by Hooper on his way to the tryline, made four tackles and missed three, but did throw a long pass to assist Shaun Stevenson's try, before he was replaced in the 49th minute.
11-Leicester Fainga'anuku 7
Returned from a long injury layoff and turn up where he left off in Super Rugby. Ran powerfully at every opportunity for 74 metres, making two clean breaks beating five defenders along the way.
Won a kickoff, but marred his effort by dropping the ball over the tryline.
12-Anton Lienert-Brown 6
Another making his first start after long injury, but was largely consigned to a support role. Ran hard soon after halftime to signal his team's renewed intent.
13-Braydon Ennor 5
Kicked into touch on the full, but made one midfield break late in first half, before he was forced off with a knee injury on halftime. Solid option in midfield, but probably surplus to requirements in France.
14-Shaun Stevenson 8
After initially missing squad selection, Stevenson was rewarded for his perseverance with a start and paid that favour back with interest.
Exposed defensively by Australia's two tries down his side of the park, he began to impose himself on the game, executing the best attacking kick of the first half - a low trajectory knocked on by opposite Marika Koroibete.
Stripped the ball off powerful No.8 Rob Valetini, scored a try on debut, won a breakdown turnover and ran for 77 metres. Should have elevated himself up the pecking order.
15-Will Jordan 9
Finally given a run at his favoured fullback, Jordan showed he is equally adept at this level - but we knew that. Safe under the high ball and repeatedly tested the Aussie defence with his game-high 145 running metres.
Undoubtedly gave Foster food for thought.
Reserves
16-Dane Coles 5
Replaced Taukei'aho in the 53rd minute and undoubtedly helped steady the ship with his experience, but had an attacking linbeout stolen.
17-Ofa Tuungafasi 7
Entered the game in the 49th minute and bullied his opposite for a scrum penalty. Contributed to a dominant All Blacks set-piece and showed safe hands, whenever the ball came his awy.
18-Fletcher Newell 7
Another returning from a season-long injury and can be satisfied with his opening effort. Big part of a dominant scrum that set the platform for the comeback.
19-Tupou Vaa'i 7
Replaced injured Retallick in the 26th minute and quickly showed his lineout prowess, winning one his own goal-line, stealing one against the throw and contesting another to force Australia into error.
Lively with ball in hand, obviously has a big future, after Whitelock and Retallick depart.
20-Luke Jacobson 5
Just a cameo to replace Cane with a few minutes remaining.
21-Aaron Smith 7
Replaced Christie in the 53rd minute and his quick service facilitated phase pressure on attack. Showed his guile with a cheeky dart and goosestep, but not enough speed to outpace Wallabies winger Mark Nawaqanitawase.
Still a long way between him and his understudies, as he departs the All Blacks programme.
22-Richie Mo'unga 8
Replaced McKenzie in the 49th minute and immediately took over the game. Mixed success under the high ball - one spill, but two courageous midair catches - but kicked three-from-three off the tee, including the clutch gamewinner.
23-Dallas McLeod 5
Made his debut just before halftime, but never really featured and likely won't be on the plane to France.
Grant Chapman is Newshub's online sports lead
