The All Blacks have once again put the Wallabies to the sword to draw first blood in the 2018 Bledisloe Cup series with a crushing 38-13 victory at ANZ Stadium.
Five All Blacks second-half tries stunned the Wallabies, who now face the daunting prospect of needing to win in Auckland next Saturday for the first time since 1986 to prevent the trophy staying in New Zealand for a 16th straight year.
"We need to be disappointed about this result," said Wallabies captain Michael Hooper.
He lamented his side's inability to capitalise on a promising start as the All Blacks made a sluggish, error-prone beginning.
"They put us under pressure, turned over the ball and they ran in some quality tries. The set piece was also disappointing, the Kiwis did a good job stifling us there."
Compounding Australia's pain was an ankle injury to superstar fullback Israel Folau, who cut a dejected figure as he hobbled off after 65 minutes after landing awkwardly from an aerial challenge.
"He's gone for a scan. He rolled it. It was pretty swollen," said Wallabies coach Michael Cheika.
The Wallabies suffered a setback even before the kick-off, with powerhouse prop Taniela Tupou ruled out after straining his hamstring during Friday's captain's run, replaced by uncapped Melbourne Rebel Jermaine Ainsley.
Australia's set piece was shaky, with the Wallabies losing seven of their eight lineouts and conceding several scrum penalties.
Despite their troubles,, they dominated much of the first half through stern defence and forged a 6-0 lead through penalty goals from Reece Hodge and Bernard Foley.
The Wallabies were 90 seconds away from keeping the All Blacks scoreless in the opening half of Test for the first time since the 1991 World Cup semi-final before halfback Aaron Smith crossed just before the interval.
All Blacks captain Kieran described the try as a turning point.
"It was crucial. They had probably dominated that half so for us to get back in touch on the scoreboard was great. I think the resilience within the boys was awesome."
Despite the late lapse, Cheika's men enjoyed a 6-5 advantage at the break - after trudging to the same sheds trailing 40-6 at halftime in last year's corresponding fixture.
But the match turned with two signature All Blacks strikes early in the second stanza.
First, Jack Goodhue finished off an 85-metre counter-attack, then Beauden Barrett showcased his soccer skills to score a telling opportunistic try nine minutes later to suddenly leave the world champions 19-6 clear.
It was all over when man-of-the-match Brodie Retallick crossed to make it 26-6.
The highlight of an otherwise forgettable night for Wallabies fans was a try on debut for young gun Jack Maddocks, a second-half replacement for winger Dane Haylett-Petty.
But a late double to All Blacks winger Waisake Naholo completed the humiliation for the Wallabies in front of 66,318 fans at the Olympic stadium.
Australian Associated Press
