Michael Brown: Record home run caps a great start to campaign

All Blacks 32 Australia 12

The all Blacks might take some quiet satisfaction from registering their 19th consecutive home win - a record - but more significant was the fact they struck the first blow in this new super-sized Tri Nations.

Although a loss would not have been terminal, with each side playing six games, it was important to get off the mark considering New Zealand's campaign finishes with two matches in the Republic.

It was also important for the All Blacks 1st XV to give some vindication to coach Graham Henry's rotation and trial policy as he prepares to bring home the Holy Grail next year.

Henry had made noises to ready the public for defeat but he needn't have worried, considering his side trailed only once all night.

The All Blacks scrum was dominant and they attacked the rucks and mauls with such ferocity, it looked like they had been starved of fresh meat all week. You almost felt sorry for the Wallabies. Not that sorry, mind, and it's unlikely there would have been any handbag or kiwifruit jokes being fired in their direction.

There was also improvement in the lineouts, where the All Blacks tried some creative options, such as Byron Kelleher wheeling around at the back and a late-arriving Richie McCaw. They held their own against the Australian lineout, winning all seven of their own throws in the first half and it's not often you could have said that about the All Blacks recently.

Like two prizefighters, both sides jabbed at each trying to find an opening in the early rounds and Australia landed the first blow.

It was a try of pure class and some opportunism that started inside the Australian 22 and was highlighted by a Chris Latham chip and chase. Mat Rogers looked like he would find the corner himself but didn't take any chances and looped a ball inside for Lote Tuqiri to touch down.

It was a rare foray into the All Blacks' 22 during the first half because the black machine rumbled into action and put tremendous pressure on the Aussies.

They went close on a couple of occasions and were helped by the sinbinning of Rocky Elsom in the 27th minute for persistent infringing.

In many respects, the All Blacks didn't need any extra help but they took immediate advantage.

Their first try was off a messy Australian throw on their own line. With Elsom sitting on the sidelines like a naughty schoolboy made to think about his actions, Keven Mealamu pounced on an overthrown ball to score in the 29th minute.

He doubled the dose four minutes later when he impersonated an American football running back, diving over a throng of bodies in the left corner to give the home side a 14-7 halftime advantage.

The Wallabies attacked with some vigour early in the second half and regularly sniped at the All Blacks' line. But less than 10 minutes after the restart, they found themselves trailing 24-7 and with a mountain to climb to get back into it.

Carter added a penalty as he showed he had found his range after a couple of early misses and McCaw put his hands on the ball through a mess of bodies over the Australian line to score a disputed try.

This seemed only to annoy the Australians even more and they had their best period on attack. Scott Fava came off the bench to somehow burrow under a ruck and it looked like a revival might have been sparked.

This, though, was no trial and the All Blacks not only withstood the pressure but in the ebb and flow of the match had their own chances. Substitute Isaia Toeava hammered the final nail into the Australian coffin three minutes from time.

The punters would have gone home happy because this was a real test match and a comprehensive performance. A few more of those and the records will continue to be racked up, not to mention another Tri Nations triumph.

All Blacks 32 (K. Mealamu 2, R. McCaw, I. Toeava tries, D. Carter 2 pens, 3 cons) Australia 12 (L. Tuqiri, S. Fava tries, S. Mortlock con). HT: 14-7.