Try blitz: Rieko Ioane powers through the Australian defence to score out wide. Credit:AAP When Australia trailed 40-6 at the break, there was little new skipper Michael Hooper could have said to his distraught troops in what has to be one of the most brutal introductions to full-time Wallabies captaincy. At one stage the Wallabies were trailing 54-6 after 48 minutes and staring down the barrel of their worst defeat but four tries in 17 minutes – from Curtis Rona, Tevita Kuridrani, Kurtley Beale and Israel Folau – saved them plenty of embarrassment. For context, the Wallabies missed a staggering 40 per cent (37 from 94) of all tackles in the first half and there will be immense pressure on defence coach Nathan Grey given what the Waratahs dished up this year too. By the end of 80 minutes, Australia had missed 48 tackles, which is just not good enough at international level.

Consolation: Kurtley Beale scores on his return to the Australian team. Credit:AAP In last year's bloodbath against New Zealand in Sydney, the full-time margin was 34 points. On Saturday, the All Blacks led by that buffer at half-time. New Zealand piled on an incredible six tries in the first half, which was more than they scored in the entire series against the British and Irish Lions. Through the gap: Sonny Bill Williams steps through the tackle of Sean McMahon. Credit:AAP And when the All Blacks chalked up their eighth try in the 48th minute, thanks to a sensational pass back inside to Ben Smith from Aaron Smith, it marked the most points they had ever scored against Australia, from 182 matches.

Cheika may have boasted the Wallabies were fit and raring to go but they sure as anything didn't do enough work on their defensive structures in an abysmal effort. Mr Reliable: Ryan Crotty joins the party at ANZ Stadium. Credit:AAP Meanwhile, after one of the most tumultuous weeks for New Zealand rugby in recent memory, the All Blacks were able to push to one side the off-field scandals and execute a game plan that completely blew the Wallabies off the park. Halfback Aaron Smith, whose "toilet tryst" last year resurfaced during the week as did fresh allegations of affairs with other women, had a brilliant game and was clearly unperturbed by what had transpired in recent days. Coach Steve Hansen's mind, however, would have been in two places hours before kick-off after it emerged New Zealand's team manager Darren Shand told police he believed Cheika was responsible for bugging the team's hotel last year.

The All Blacks, however, were more than able to separate on-field from off-field but will be annoyed they did not completely put Australia to the sword in the second half. To the surprise of many, it was the Wallabies who got on the scoresheet first thanks to a penalty after four minutes to Bernard Foley on the back of some excellent attacking bursts in the All Blacks' 22. But like they do so often, the All Blacks capitalised on a mistake from their opposition. Allan Alaalatoa knocked the ball on and shortly afterwards New Zealand were able to get auspicious front-foot ball before Liam Squire, Jerome Kaino's replacement, scored down the left edge. A Wallabies penalty brought the margin back to one point but that's about as good as it got for Cheika's men before a poor defensive read from Folau on the right edge saw Rieko Ioane put the visitors ahead 12-6.

The All Blacks, through Ioane and Ryan Crotty, then scored two tries in four minutes to put their tally at 26 points in as many minutes to silence a crowd of 54,846 at ANZ Stadium. Australia's defensive line looked scrambled and they were unable to adapt on the run to countless questions asked by New Zealand's backs. Rona scored a try on debut in the 52nd minute and when Kuridrani squeezed through a gap to go over the line in the 56th minute, Australia looked a completely different outfit. Attack-wise, there were things to like. Beale brought the flair we expected and scored Australia's third consecutive try when he scooped up a loose ball and ran 50 metres. Loading