It’s all black for the Wallabies – yet again!

For 35 minutes Australia looked a word-class rugby team. For 35 minutes Australia kept New Zealand scoreless. And then the two Smiths, Ben and Aaron, combined for the first of what would be six tries.

New Zealand put on an attacking masterclass in the second half. It was exhibition-type stuff and while they squandered a few possible try-scoring opportunities, they also scored several spectacular long-range tries.

The All Blacks won 38-13 after trailing 6-5 at half-time.

The ball in hand skill was magical to watch, but it was the New Zealand forwards who swung the momentum of the match with scrum and lineout dominance in the second half.

Big Brodie Retallick was an example of just what makes the men in black so good. He scored a beaut of a try, but his overall game was characterized by his defensive work rate and his desire to get stuck in.

Ditto, Kieran Read, who had a massive game.

The All Blacks have now won 100 of their last 112 Tests in what has been the most sustained period of dominance in the history of international rugby.

NZ Herald’s Gregor Paul on the All Blacks win.

Waisake Naholo had his best All Blacks match in a season and Crusaders midfielder Jack Goodhue justified all the hype.

Ben Smith was influential and inspirational and Beauden Barrett flourished in the second half, alternating between flyhalf and fullback when Damian McKenzie was introduced in the last quarter.

McKenzie and loose-forward replacement Ardi Savea injected pace and added to the overwhelming enthusiasm of those who had started the match.

Sydney Morning Herald’s Tom Decent on the Wallabies defeat.

Australia were brave in the first 35 minutes, but on 80 minutes they were battered.

They were beaten by a better team, who despite being kept scoreless for the first 35 minutes, still left Sydney with a 25 points winning margin.

         Australia 13 (J. Maddocks try; B. Foley con, pen, R. Hodge pen)
HT: 5-6

Teams:

Australia

15 Israel Folau, 14 Dane Haylett-Petty, 13 Reece Hodge, 12 Kurtley Beale, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Will Genia, 8 David Pocock, 7 Michael Hooper (captain), 6 Lukhan Tui, 5 Adam Coleman, 4 Izack Rodda, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Tom Robertson

Substitutes: 16 Tolu Latu, 17 Allan Alaalatoa, 18 Jermaine Ainsley, 19 Rob Simmons, 20 Pete Samu, 21 Nick Phipps, 22 Matt Toomua, 23 Jack Maddocks

New Zealand

15 Ben Smith, 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Rieko Ioane, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read (captain), 7 Sam Cane, 6 Liam Squire, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Joe Moody

Substitutes: 16 Nathan Harris, 17 Karl Tu’inukuafe, 18 Tim Perry, 19 Scott Barrett, 20 Ardie Savea, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Damian McKenzie, 23 Anton Lienert-Brown