New Zealand 33 Australia 6:The All Blacks forwards ground down a young Australia side in the second half to clinch a comprehensive victory in the final Tri-Nations match of the season in Wellington.
Dan Carter kicked 18 points from four penalties and three conversions, while wing Cory Jane scored his first Test try, before Ma'a Nonu and Joe Rokocoko touched down in the final five minutes to confirm the home team’s superiority at Westpac Stadium.
Australia’s scoring output was restricted to an early penalty from outhalf Matt Giteau, with Berrick Barnes landing a first-half drop goal.
It was the sixth successive defeat against New Zealand for Australia and left them with the wooden spoon after South Africa clinched the Tri-Nations title last week.
Holding a 16-6 lead at halftime, the All Blacks took control in the second period with their forwards gaining superiority at the scrum and turning ball over at breakdowns.
"We had some very good first phase ball from the lineout and scrum and as the game went on that gave us a lot to work off," said All Blacks coach Graham Henry.
"I thought the work at the tackle area, by all the forwards but by the three loose forwards in particular, was exceptional. They played really well and turned over a lot of ball in that area and put a lot of pressure on."
Giteau opened the scoring with an eighth-minute penalty before New Zealand took a 9-3 lead after 22 minutes with three penalties.
The Wallabies reduced the deficit when Barnes slotted a 35-metre drop goal, but then failed to take advantage after Isaia Toeava was sinbinned for a dangerous high tackle on fullback James O'Connor.
And after being kept scoreless during that period, they then conceded the first try of the game when Jane climbed above O'Connor to take a high Mils Muliaina kick.
He then shrugged off a poor tackle from Drew Mitchell to score his first Test try in the right-hand corner and give the hosts a 16-6 halftime lead.
Carter added his fourth penalty early in the second half but despite their territorial advantage the All Blacks were unable to add to the score until the 75th minute when Nonu burst through. Rokocoko then sealed victory in the final minute.
