OPINION: After the controversy over their Bledisloe Cup victory at Melbourne last week, the All Blacks silenced any winging from across the Tasman with a dominant performance at their Eden Park fortress.
If anything, the 40-14 scoreline flattered the visitors, who grabbed a couple of consolation tries to salvage some respectability - but not much.
Coach Ian Foster earned some more breathing room with a third consecutive win, after a campaign that stuttered for consistency early.
Foster was forced into several changes for this contest and had to make some key position changes, but none backfired on him.
Here's how the All Blacks rated individually against Australia...
1-Ethan de Groot 7
Missed an early tackle on Jed Holloway that had his team scrambling early, but tackled himself to a standstill before halftime, without another miss. Loved the taunt as he left the field in the 57th minute, replaced by Tuungafasi.
2-Codie Taylor 6
Under some heat, after his last performance in black, and his lineout throwing has become something of a liability. Made a couple of nice gallops in open field and nailed a couple of crucial throws - one for the penalty try and one for his own.
Replaced by Taukei'aho in the 57th minute.
3-Tyrel Lomax 6
Made some damaging runs and exerted tremendous pressure at scrumtime, but also missed five tackles, before he was replaced by Laulala in the 57th minute.
4-Brodie Retallick 7
Returning to form with his allround forward play after injury. Cleverly drew an attacking penalty, when he charged into an offside defender, won a defensive maul turnover and won the lineout that led to Taukei'aho's try, before he was replaced by Vaa'i in the 66th minute.
5-Sam Whitelock 9
As captain, tried to force the issue with an early personnel advantage, but eventually took points on offer when appropriate. Made a key decision to opt for an attacking lineout - which he won - that led to a penalty try and yellow card against the Wallabies.
Also secured the lineout that led to Codie Taylor's try and scored a rare five-pointer himself, freakishly palming the ball and planting in traffic.
6-Akira Ioane 6
Rarely seen in the loose and gave away a couple of breakdown penalties on attack, but defending stoutly and stole one of those penalties back later, before he was replaced by Sotutu in the 70th minute.
7-Dalton Papali'i 7
Deputising for concussed captain Sam Cane, he miraculously survived being dumped on his head in early exchanges and buried himself at the breakdown, leading all tacklers with 17 for the match. Was a little fortunate not to concede a try, when Bernard Foley picked off a loose pass.
8-Ardie Savea 6
Uncharacteristic quiet game from the star loose forward, but has earned a mulligan with an outstanding season in trying circumstances.
9-Aaron Smith 7
Typically efficient in his service and masterminded many of the backline forays from set-piece, before he was replaced by Christie in the 57th minute.
10-Richie Mo'unga 6
Kicked well from the tee - one of his two misses hit the upright - and in general play. Cleared halfway with a goal-line dropout after an intense defensive stand.
Made a vital cover tackle on Foley, after his intercept, but gifted the Wallabies a try, when his clearance kick was charged down later.
11-Caleb Clarke 6
Had few running opportunities in the first half, but was courageous under the high ball. Went looking for more work in the second half, without reward.
12-Jordie Barrett 9
Absolutely vindicated his move into midfield, both with and without the ball. Continued the kicking option offered by David Havili, but also ran 17 times, beat seven tackles and offloaded four times, testing the Wallabies with every touch.
Has now played every position in the backline, except halfback... and who would doubt his ability to do that.
13-Rieko Ioane 7
Continued to threaten whenever he's given space to unleash. Topped 100 metres from four runs.
14-Will Jordan 8
Back to his scintillating best, leading running metres with 119, scoring another try and retreating fast for a vital defensive cover. Limped off in the 68th minute with an ankle injury, replaced by Reece.
15-Beauden Barrett 7
Reprised his dual-playmaker role at fullback and showed his allround skills, assisting on Jordan's try, and sparking another attack with a break and kick ahead. Replaced by Tuivasa-Sheck in the 70th minute.
Reserves
16-Samisoni Taukei'aho 6
A couple of uncharacteristic turnovers, but scored a lineout-maul try to add to his Rugby Championship-leading tally.
17-Ofa Tuungafasi 5
18-Nepo Laulala 5
19-Tupou Vaa'i 5
20-Hoskin Sotutu 5
21-Finlay Christie 5
Pressured opposite Nic White into a goal-line error, but later repaid the favour with an error that turned into a scrum turnover.
22-Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 5
Made some tackles, but never had a chance to show his attacking ability in another understated cameo.
23-Sevu Reece 5
Always impresses with his ability to tackle above his weight class.
Grant Chapman is Newshub's online sports lead
