All Blacks beat the Wallabies 
By MARC HINTON - Stuff.co.nz 
The old guard returned and the old order was restored tonight as the All Blacks struck a decisive opening blow in the Tri-Nations and Bledisloe Cup.
Undoubtedly the arrival for the first time this season of skipper Richie McCaw, veteran No 8 Rodney So'oialo and experienced wing Sitiveni Sivivatu spurred Graham Henry's All Blacks as they deservedly continued their iron grip over the Wallabies on this famous old test ground.
They were by no means the stars of the show, but how else could you explain the dramatic lift in standard from the New Zealanders as they met an in-form Wallabies side head-on, even spotted them a 10-point start and still seemed to have plenty in reserve as they rounded out a controlled, if not decisive, victory.
There was only a try apiece in this hard-fought test match, but the capacity crowd of 34,000 got their money's worth as their men delivered for them at a time when confidence in the national team had been just a little on the wane.
It shouldn't be now. The All Blacks played smart rugby, battling well into the wind to be within three at the break (10-13) and then using the breeze sensibly in the second spell to play a game of field position that was decisive.
The New Zealand forwards steadied the ship superbly after a shaky start. McCaw scored a massive try in the first half, Jerome Kaino had a huge game, Tony Woodcock won his scrum battle over Al Baxter, the lineout eventually came right and the All Blacks were much the more effective drivers in tight. Breakdown honours were pretty even.
But there was arguably no greater hero for the All Blacks than under-pressure first five Stephen Donald who overcame a slow start to produce probably his finest hour in the black jersey.
His goalkicking was assured (six from eight on a tricky night) and he warmed to the task nicely once he shook off the early nerves. His composure in a tight second spell was a delight to see as he came of age in the test arena.
The victory continued New Zealand's wonderful winning streak at the ground, and against the Wallabies on Kiwi soil. The Australians have now lost 11 straight here since 1986 and the All Blacks still haven't dropped a test at their new favourite ground since 1994.
It was a shonky old start by the All Blacks. Before 10 minutes had passed they had conceded a converted try, to Berrick Barnes, lost two lineouts on their own throw and coughed up a kickable penalty to Matt Giteau. The game was barely out of first gear, and the New Zealanders were in a 10-0 hole
Barnes' try, after just four minutes, also exposed a few worrying frailties in the All Blacks' defence, McCaw and Donald making a hash of a first-up tackle on Adam Ashley-Cooper, and then Sivivatu and Muliaina being found out when Barnes threw the dummy and pinned his ears on a scything run to the line.
The New Zealanders were actually lucky not to fall two tries behind in the opening quarter when Donald made a hash of a stab-kick as the Wallaby defence got up quickly and only a misfire between Barnes and George Smith prevented what looked a certain score. You could hear the cries of anguish from the Australian coaching box.
Then, finally, the home team settled into a rhythm, and started playing some football, though there was one more early lineout loss to add to the concern.
Donald had slotted his second penalty attempt just shy of the quarter-hour mark to get the All Blacks on the board and five minutes after Giteau eased the Wallabies back out by 10, New Zealand struck with a much needed try.
It came via some sustained pressure off a quality lineout win - at last -and saw the New Zealanders stretch the Australian defence before Conrad Smith, as he does, ran a beautiful line on the cutback and was able to offload to McCaw for an excellent openside's try.
Smith had shown his skill by slipping the pass in the first place, and McCaw's body position and strength did the rest as he finished superbly. It was the skipper's 16th test try (one off the record for an All Black forward) and his sixth against the Wallabies.
There was one last chance for the All Blacks before the spell ended, but Donald couldn't quite find Cory Jane from a promising break. All things considered, though, they would have been more than happy with their opening 40 into a stiff breeze.
If the first half had been action aplenty, the second was much more of an arm-wrestle, and at the end of it four Donald penalties to just one more from Giteau gave the All Blacks all the buffer they needed.
It was heartening to hear the Eden Park roar in the closing minutes as the All Blacks forced crucial turnovers and made all their big tackles, the Wallabies unable to find a way through as they probed for a winning score.
McCaw and So'oialo made a difference, be sure of that. McCaw didn't have his best test outing by any means - too many errors to say that - but his presence, poise and at key moments his power were crucial. So'oialo too toiled well, and in the end they spoilt the night for their old foe George Smith in his 100th test.
New Zealand 22 (Richie McCaw try; Stephen Donald 5 pen con)
Australia 16
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