Dave Rennie has credited the All Blacks' 3-1 Rugby Championship series defeat to the Springboks last month as a catalyst for Saturday's comprehensive 50-19 dismantling of Australia at Eden Park, a result that retains the Bledisloe Cup for a 23rd consecutive year.
"We were confident in our ability, we failed in Africa," Rennie said. "There were a number of areas that needed to be better. We just lost key moments in Africa, and we won a lot of those tonight."
New Zealand are now 54 matches unbeaten at Eden Park after scoring five of their seven tries in the second half to put the game well beyond Australia's reach. Captain Codie Taylor acknowledged the South Africa series left a mark on the squad. "We were hurting a little bit. But it's awesome to come home, play in front of our fans, our people."
Rennie also pointed to the return of Scott Barrett — making his first test appearance in nearly a year — as a significant factor, citing the lock's physicality and leadership as a boost to the pack.
Australia had offered genuine competition in the first half, with fly-half Ben Donaldson central to both Wallabies tries, tapping cleverly for fullback Tom Wright before breaking to put skipper Harry Wilson over just before the interval. New Zealand led 17-14 at the break, with Damian McKenzie — who finished with 15 points — and back-rowers Peter Lakai and Tupou Vaa'i having responded to Australia's early pressure.
The second half was one-way traffic. Cam Roigard and Taylor scored in quick succession, and when Leroy Carter backed up the impressive Lakai to score — though appearing to injure his leg in the process, raising doubts about his availability for next week's Sydney test — the result was settled. Josh Moorby and Will Jordan added late tries, with Josh Nasser crossing for a consolation.
Wallabies captain Wilson, whose side had beaten South Africa at home a fortnight ago, admitted the performance was a significant regression. "The start of the second half we had an opportunity to get some points and really put some pressure on them, and we missed out there. And gee-whiz, when you give the All Blacks a bit of ball, it's hard to get it back."
The series now moves to Sydney, where next week's second test carries added weight as a World Cup venue dress rehearsal.