Australia dented New Zealand's World Cup aspirations with a defiant 20-15 comeback win in their Tri-Nations match in Melbourne.

The Wallabies scored 14 unanswered points after the interval at the Melbourne Cricket Ground to beat their rivals for the first time in six attempts since 2004.

The All Blacks seemed destined for a big win when tries from prop Tony Woodcock and winger Rico Gear gave the visitors a 15-6 lead at the break.

They took the lead with their first concerted attack of the game after just three minutes.

Fullback Mils Muliaina burst through and was stopped short of the line before Woodcock collected the ball and barged over with the TV match official confirming the prop's first try in his 31st test.

Outhalf Dan Carter converted from the angle.

Wallabies skipper Stirling Mortlock struck two penalties either side of a Carter effort to make it 10-6 before the All Blacks again cut loose.

Centre Luke McAlister rode one tackle to put Gear into the corner to make it 15-6 at halftime.

The Wallabies resumed with a good spell of pressure as prop Guy Shepherdson was penalised for holding on to the ball a yard short of the line.

Scrumhalf George Gregan then hobbled off after 55 minutes of his final appearance in the green and gold on home soil, taking his world record tally of tests to 128.

All Black prop Carl Hayman was sinbinned for an infringement at the breakdown and Australia took immediate advantage.

Winger Adam Ashley-Cooper rode tackles from Richie McCaw and Chris Jack to touch home on the left and make it 15-11. Matt Giteau converted from a tight angle.

Carter then missed a penalty before substitute Scott Staniforth bagged Australia's second try nine minutes from time, collecting the ball after another great break from Mortlock and sliding home under the posts.

Giteau converted to make it 20-15 leaving all three sides in the competition, which also includes South Africa, with a win.