Australia 8-42 New Zealand: All Blacks run in six tries in rout
Last Updated: 22/08/16 3:07pm
New Zealand started their 2016 Rugby Championship in style with a comprehensive 42-8 victory over Australia.
Steve Hansen's side were in full control from start to finish as they ran in six tries while Australia found the going tough in Sydney.
The hosts had hoped that the re-introduction of their European based players, including Matt Giteau, would provide a spar, but, the Toulon centre left the field after just 10 minutes with an ankle injury.
Matt Toomua and Rob Horne also picked up first-half knocks and were forced to watch from the side-lines.
The All Blacks overpowered their hosts and have now lost just once to their local rivals in their last 14 encounters.
Ryan Crotty started their try scoring after just five minutes as he broke through the tackles of Dane Haylett-Petty and Giteau.
Man of the match Beauden Barrett converted Crotty's try before he kicked his side further in front with back-to-back penalties.
With Giteau off the field the Kiwis piled the pressure on Bernard Foley and it paid dividends when Jerome Kaino charged down a clearing kick and scored.
On the stroke of half-time Waisake Naholo benefited from another scything run from the inspired Barrett and that extended the All Blacks' lead to 32-3 at the break.
At this point the game looked well beyond Australia's reach and although Michael Cheika made a flurry of second-half replacements early, the visitors continued on their points rampage.
Dane Coles scored after Tevita Kuridrani dropped a pass and then minutes later Julian Savea, who was fresh onto the field, scored in the opposite corner for a 42-3 lead.
A late yellow card to Kieran Read provided Australia with a brief period of attack and off it Nick Phipps finished in the corner. It was of little consolation for the hosts on a night that they will want to forget.
The two sides will meet again in Wellington in just seven days time and the Wallabies have plenty to think about if they are going to stop the All Blacks securing the Bledisloe Cup for a 14th straight year.
