Normal service resumed as All Blacks step up

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The All Blacks left it late to finally secure a 19-18 win over the Wallabies in Sydney - but it was a deserved win after dominating the second-half and scoring the only try of the game.

In the opening period memories of South Africa reared their ugly head again with too many passes going to ground and indiscipline giving Matt Giteau kickable penalties.

But the second half showed the All Blacks of old, an accurate team who play with the ball in hand and dominated up front and Carter's last minute penalty would have had an entire nation holding its breath, even if Brad Thorn celebrated a little early.

Carter was the man of the match on his return to the international arena as he put any questions of being ready behind him and showed just what was missed while he was out injured.

Here's how Yahoo!Xtra scored the All Blacks' players:

Mils Muliaina - Didn't have too much to do in the first half but as the All Blacks stretched the Wallabies in the second half became more prominent. 7

Joe Rokocoko - Caught the high ball well after struggling in South Africa but still nowhere near the Rokocoko of old. Blew a great chance after a brilliant break. 6

Conrad Smith - He's not a big man, but he takes some big hits and still remains aware of the circumstances. Not as influential as he was in South Africa and replaced by Nonu at half-time. 5

Luke McAlister - Forced off for 10 minutes after a clash of heads early on. Came back on and dropped a couple of passes but looked more comfortable at second-five. A second head-knock forced him off for good in the 50th minute. 5

Sitiveni Sivivatu - Early kick was aimless and followed it up by knocking the ball on. Came on to a good game and always dangerous on the run. Broke a tackle in the build-up to Nonu's try. 7

Daniel Carter - A much safer pair of hands at first-five and his kicking and running was excellent. Loses a point for a shocking drop-goal attempt, but marked his comeback with the winning penalty. 9

Jimmy Cowan - Box kicked well and provided good ball for the backs and could well have had a try. His best game of the season by a mile. 8

Kieran Read - Proved to be a useful go-to guy in the lineout but appeared hampered by injury in the second half. Still a very strong performance. 8

Richie McCaw (captain) - Pinged early in a mysterious decision by referee Johnathon Kaplan but proved his usual dogged self at the breakdown and led from the front. 8

Jerome Kaino - Mystifying penalised by Kaplan early and didn't dominate as he did against the Wallabies at Eden Park. Still a useful outting. 7

Isaac Ross - Lineout calls went well and the more we see of this kids the less we miss Ali Williams. Lineouts went well and dangerous with his running around the paddock. 7

Brad Thorn - Strong in the tackle but you would have though he would have learned to keep his mouth shut and he cost his team three points with some back-chat. Somehow lost a one-on-one with Giteau and then celebrated before Daniel Carter kicked his penalty. 6

Owen Franks - Further reinforced his starting prop role with another strong outing. Never under any pressure in the scrum. 7

Andrew Hore - Lost an early throw but was pretty solid after that. Strong with the ball in hand and just a tough bugger to put down. 7

Tony Woodcock - Was strong in the scrum against Al Baxter and the Wallaby's withdrawal after 30 minutes was vindication of Woody's status as one of the best props in the world. 8

Replacements:

Aled de Malmanche - stayed on the bench.
John Afoa - On with 12 minutes left.
Jason Eaton - stayed on the bench.
Rodney So'oialo - Replaced Kaino with 15 minutes left.
Brendon Leonard - stayed on the bench.
Stephen Donald - Replaced McAlister in the 50th minute and played very well. Looked a different player alongside Carter and played a big part with his chase in the lead up to the winning penalty. 7
Ma'a Nonu - Came on early as a blood bin replacment for Luke McAlister and then replaced Smith at half-time. Scored a brilliant try to bring the All Blacks back into the game and was dominant in the second half. 8