All Blacks tear Wallabies apart
New Zealand retain Bledisloe Cup for the 12th successive year with a crushing 51-20 victory in Auckland
New Zealand's forwards responded to criticism of their performance in their opening Rugby Championship clash to set the foundation for a 51-20 victory over Australia at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday that also ensured the retention of the Bledisloe Cup.
All Blacks captain Richie McCaw, who was sinbinned early in the game, scored two tries while Kieran Read, Julian Savea and Steven Luatua also crossed, with their pack awarded a penalty try as part of a record score against the Wallabies.
Fly-half Aaron Cruden kicked five conversions and three penalties, while Wallabies fullback Israel Folau and captain Michael Hooper crossed for tries with Kurtley Beale adding two penalties and two conversions.
We looked at what happened last week and for a lot of the game we were getting beaten in the contact areas. They [the tight five] knew that and they set the platform for some go-forward ball
The victory ensured the Bledisloe Cup remained in New Zealand for the 12th successive year. The third match in Brisbane in October is now a dead rubber in terms of the battle for the symbol of trans-Tasman supremacy.
Maligned for their failure to combat the Wallabies' intensity in the 12-12 draw in Sydney last week, New Zealand's forwards tore into their Australian counterparts, intent on protecting a formidable 20-year unbeaten record at Eden Park.
"We put the acid on those guys to front up this week," McCaw said of his tight five's efforts.
"We looked at what happened last week and for a lot of the game we were getting beaten in the contact areas. They knew that and they set the platform for some go-forward ball.
"Rugby is a hell of a lot easier when you win the contact."