All Blacks finally click as Wallabies smashed

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The All Blacks have saved their best for last with a dominant 33-6 win over Australia in Wellington to bring the 2009 Tri-nations to a conclusion.

With the title long gone, pride was all that was at stake for both teams but apart from a good period early on in the match for the visitors the All Blacks were dominant.

The errors and indiscipline which have cost them dear throughout the international season were banished and even the under-pressure lineout was solid as the kick-fest seen against the Springboks was banished for a running game.

Cory Jane was the stand-out for the home team with the fullback-cum-winger taking his frustration at being benched for much of the competition out on the feckless Wallabies.

The win will ease the pressure on the All Blacks' coaching triumvirate, although they may be disappointed their charges left it until it was too late to play their best game of the year.

The All Blacks rumbled the ball from the kick-off and should have taken the lead in third minute after good possession in Australian territory but Daniel Carter pushed his kick wide.

But it was the Wallabies who drew first blood when Brad Thorn was pinged for being offside, Matt Giteau converting the penalty.

And an Adam Ashley-Cooper break after the All Blacks failed to commit to the breakdown should have led to the Wallabies extending their lead but Giteau dragged the pill wide after referee Craig Joubert awarded a ruck penalty.

A quick tap twenty-two from Carter then led to the hosts squaring things up.

Jane combined well with Kieran Read to take the All Blacks into Australian territory and when the ball was deliberately knocked on Carter converted from out front.

And just a couple of minutes later the first five-eighth put New Zealand into the lead after Tatafu Polota-Nau failed to roll away at the breakdown.

The All Blacks had spoken all week about needing to start well and good handling and a lack of errors were providing a platform to move the ball not seen in previous tests.

And midway through the half Carter deservedly extended the lead after Ashley-Cooper handled on the ground as the hosts looked dangerous.

The Wallabies were handed a massive advantage with just over 10 minutes left in the half when the recalled Isaia Toeava went high on James O'Connor and was sin-binned.

The error was compounded when Berrick Barnes dropped the goal as the referee played advantage.

But against all expectations it was the All Blacks who scored the next points, and it was a brilliant try for Cory Jane, his first for the All Blacks.

With the Wallabies backline flat in midfield Mils Muliaina put up a brilliant kick into space.

Jane chased the ball and with O'Connor caught in two minds Jane juggled, regathered and then broke a tackle to score. Carter converted.

The Australians were playing like the All Blacks had in previous weeks with too many personal errors proving costly, with young fullback James O'Connor particularly neglectful with some sloppy play.

The All Blacks pushed once more as the half-time hooter beckoned but a loose pass from Tony Woodcock, one of the few in the first period, sent the players to the sheds.

The home team continued to push at the start of the second half, but Carter was thinking ahead when he received the ball in the Wallabies' half and he dropped the ball cold.

But the pivot made amends shortly after with a penalty from out front after O'Connor went for a run but held onto the ball in the tackle.

The Wallabies backline was getting absolutely no ball and another brilliant break from the All Blacks, set up by Jane, almost created an opportunity but Cowan kicked when the ball should have been kept in hand and the visitors cleared.

And a minute later Jane proved his value by creating yet an opportunity, combining well with Toeava down the right but Ma'a Nonu couldn't quite gather the ball and it was lost forward.

The Australians finally managed to put some territory and pressure on the All Blacks defence as the clock ticked under 10 minutes, but the home side were tenacious close to the line and the ball was turned over.

Then, just to show it wasn't the Wallabies' night, replacement Jason Eaton stole two lineouts and suddenly the visitors were on the back foot once more.

After a quiet evening in the midfield Nonu capped a fantastic team performance by breaking two tackles and then driving through three Aussies to touch down.

And with the clock ticking over the 40 minute mark, the All Blacks spread the ball wide once more and the flying Joe Rokocoko dived over for a fairytale finish.

Carter ended the scoring with the conversion.

New Zealand 33 (Cory Jane, Ma'a Nonu, Joe Rokocoko tries; Daniel Carter 4 pens, 3 cons)
Australia 6 (Matt Giteau pen, Berrick Barnes drop)

H/T: 16-6