An All Blacks team chastened by a record-breaking defeat a week ago rallied superbly to beat Australia 36-0 in the return test Saturday to extend its 17-year hold on the Bledisloe Cup and a 33-year winning streak at Eden Park.
The Wallabies won the first test of the two-match series 47-26 in Perth last weekend, posting their highest-ever score against New Zealand in Australia and exposing a range of weaknesses in an All Blacks team which will defend the World Cup in Japan from next month.
New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen responded with six changes to his starting lineup, dropping two of his most experienced players, and the All Blacks re-discovered the physical aspect of their game which was missing last week and has been for most of the last two years.
All Blacks winger George Bridge, left, is tackled by an Australian player during a Bledisloe Cup rugby test between the All Blacks and Australia at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2019. (Brett PhibbsSNPA via AP)
Tries to flyhalf Richie Mo'unga and scrumhalf Aaron Smith within three minutes in the first half set New Zealand on course to a 17-0 lead at halftime, though it ended the half with hooker Dane Coles in the sin-bin.
A try to center Sonny Bill Williams within five minutes of the re-start made the lead 24-0 and all but stamped out the possibility of a Wallabies resurgence.
Wingers Sevu Reece and George Bridge, with only six tests between them, both finished the match with tries. Reece, in only his second test, reclaimed his own fly kick to score in the 67th minute and Bridge capped a five tries to nil win.
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