Rieko Ioane and Ryan Crotty both crossed twice as the All Blacks ran in eight tries in a brilliant display of running rugby to demolish Australia 54‑34 in the Rugby Championship opener last night.
The world champions extinguished any chance of an upset with three tries being scored within seven minutes with a bonus‑point win.
Liam Squire, Sonny Bill Williams, Damian McKenzie and Ben Smith also scored tries as the All Blacks brushed off the disappointment of the drawn British & Irish Lions series and a string of off‑field distractions.
The Wallabies scored tries through debutant winger Curtis Rona, replacement back Tevita Kuridrani, centre Kurtley Beale and full‑back Israel Folau, but they came in the second half once the game was already beyond them.
The Wallabies face the All Blacks in Dunedin again next Saturday.
Meanwhile South Africa defeated Argentina 37-15 this morning in the second game of the Rugby Championship opener.
