World champions New Zealand claimed their biggest win in Australia with a 42-8 victory over the defending champions to kick off their Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup campaign in Sydney.
The dynamic All Blacks embarrassed the Wallabies six tries to one and have now lost only once to the Australians in their last 14 encounters.
It was Australia’s fifth straight Test defeat after losing to New Zealand 34-17 in last October’s World Cup final along with three defeats at home to Six Nations champions England in June.
New Zealand appear no closer to giving up the Bledisloe Cup they have held since 2003 with the two remaining trans-Tasman Tests against Australia at home in Wellington and Auckland.
If Australia thought the chance of finally mastering the All Black powerhouse had arrived following the retirement of Richie McCaw and Daniel Carter they were sadly mistaken.
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Australia’s hopes were shredded by a devastating opening half by New Zealand, who smashed through a porous defence for four tries to lead 32-3 at half-time.
It was a dynamic first half by the world champions, dominating territory and possession with Australia seemingly incapable of mounting a resistance to the incessant waves of attack.
It got no better for the Australians with New Zealand scoring a further 10 points.
Bernard Foley kicked an early penalty goal for Australia but the All Blacks hit back quickly in the sixth minute.
Ryan Crotty broke through the tackles of Dane Haylett-Petty and Matt Giteau to storm over for an easy converted try.
Australia had another setback when Giteau was forced from the field hobbling from an injured left ankle to be replaced by Matt Toomua.
Barrett kicked the All Blacks further in front with back-to-back penalties as the Wallabies struggled to get into the game against the fluent visitors.
The hapless Wallabies called on a second replacement when Toomua collided with Barrett and made way for Rob Horne.
More disaster befell the Wallabies when Foley’s clearing kick was charged down by flanker Jerome Kaino who scored for a 25-3 lead.
Nothing was going right for the hosts with a third back forced off with injury with Horne succumbing to a left arm injury.
The All Blacks showed no mercy and scored their fourth try through left-winger Waisake Naholo after a scything run by Barrett.
The game looked well beyond Australia’s reach at half-time after an explosive opening half by the world champions.
Coach Michael Cheika made a flurry of replacements early in the second half in a bid to spark his team as the All Blacks continued their points rampage.
Dane Coles scored after Tevita Kuridrani dropped a pass and then minutes later another replacement Julian Savea scored in the opposite corner for a 42-3 lead.
Replacement Nick Phipps scored the Wallabies only try with five minutes left.
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