The All Blacks finished their domestic test season unbeaten with a 41-33 victory over Australia in their Bledisloe Cup clash in Dunedin, helped by an outstanding performance from young flanker Sam Cane.
The 21-year-old replacement for Richie McCaw started his sixth test of the year and Cane provided the impetus for his side in the third and final dead rubber match against the Wallabies, scoring one of his team's four tries.
Both sides were determined to run the ball in the seven-try contest but while the Australians were vastly improved from their two previous losses this season to the hosts, it was the All Blacks' 10th straight test victory this year, and it keeps the Wallabies winless against the All Blacks in New Zealand since 2001.
The home side led 30-19 at the break and have also now won 29 of their last 31 matches since the beginning of the 2011 World Cup.
First five eighths Aaron Cruden kicked 23 points and scored one of the other tries, while wing Julian Savea and stand-in captain Kieran Read scored the others.
The Australians outscored their hosts in the second half and No.10 Quade Cooper was flawless with the boot, kicking three penalties, three conversions and one drop goal to finish with a haul of 18 points.
Winger Adam Ashley-Cooper, second five Matt Toomua and centre Tevita Kuridrani scored the visitors' tries.
