New Zealand have retained the Bledisloe Cup with a hardfought 13-9 victory over Australia in their Tri-Nations encounter.

The All Blacks, who have yet to be beaten in this season's tournament, followed up their 32-12 triumph over the Wallabies in Christchurch earlier this month with another success in Brisbane.

Joe Rokocoko scored the only try of the match in the 10th minute after vice-captain Stirling Mortlock had kicked the Wallabies into an early lead.

Mortlock and Dan Carter then swapped penalties in a stop-start affair before the Wallabies showed signs of forcing themselves back into the must-win contest with some dogged attacking.

An enthralling second period seesawed before the half's first points came from Carter's drop goal after winger Mark Gerrard was halted metres short of the try-line.

Gerrard then wasted another golden chance with an ill-timed fumble when he looked certain to cap a flowing move with five points as the All Blacks defence became increasingly ragged attempting to defend their narrow lead.

But New Zealand survived to win the first meeting between the old foes in Brisbane for 10 years and now look odds on to take the Tri-Nations series.

The loss sees Australia's recent unbeaten sequence in Queensland come to an end after having won all six matches at Suncorp since the rebuilt stadium was reopened in 2003.