It was another nightmare visit to Eden Park for the Wallabies, sinking to a 12th straight Bledisloe Cup series defeat on Saturday night as the All Blacks dished out a 51-20 hammering.
Richie McCaw and Kieran Read in the sheds after retaining the Bledisloe Cup Photo: PHOTOSPORT
An inspired performance by New Zealand first-five Aaron Cruden and some sparkling attacking rugby made it a memorable evening as the hosts ran in six tries to two.
Cruden needed a big game after last weekend's draw in Sydney, and the Manawatu pivot replied in spades, running things for the All Blacks with precision from the opening whistle, and kicking eight from nine for 19 points.
Kieran Read scores against the Wallabies, Eden Park 2014. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Both teams had a man sin-binned in the first half with skipper Richie McCaw yellow-carded 13 minutes in - but it was the hosts who profited when Wallabies lock Rob Simmons went 10 minutes later, the All Blacks scoring a penalty try, before Cruden laid on a magical assist for Julian Savea's five-pointer.
At half-time the scoreboard read 23-6 to New Zealand and the shell-shocked Australians then conceded three more close-range tries after the break, two to McCaw including a pushover try, and one to Kieran Read.
The Wallabies came back with quick tries to Israel Folau and captain Michael Hooper to make it a 24-point deficit with 17 minutes left, setting up an exciting finish.
Steven Luatua scores against the Wallabies, Eden Park 2014. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
But it was the All Blacks who finished the scoring, replacement Steven Luatua dotting down after the hooter to ice 12 straight years of Bledisloe Cup dominance, and keep a 28-year Eden Park stranglehold on their neighbours.
The New Zealanders have not lost a match at the ground since 1994 - while the Wallabies have not won there since 1986.
The All Blacks are also unbeaten in New Zealand since 2009 and have won 30 of their 33 matches - two of which have been draws with the Wallabies - since the 2011 World Cup.