AUCKLAND - New Zealand staved off an Australia comeback Saturday to win their Rugby Championship Test 33-24 and extend their remarkable unbeaten streak at Eden Park to 52 matches.
The Wallabies rallied from 20-3 down but Cam Roigard's second try late on ensured the All Blacks retained the Bledisloe Cup in a winning response to their record loss to South Africa.
World-class scrum-half Roigard was the standout performer in his return from two months out with injury.
He scored two tries and New Zealand showed the kind of control which was missing when they were humiliated 43-10 by the Springboks in Wellington two weeks ago.
All Blacks skipper Ardie Savea said: "We got a good start and we know the Aussies -- they never give up and they keep coming and coming, and it's a testament to them. Also proud of our boys for sticking at it.
"We know Australia is a quality side and it's going to be another big one next week," he added, looking ahead to the return clash next weekend in Perth. "We'll enjoy tonight and then reset and try and go again."
New Zealand coach Scott Robertson had asked his "hurt and stung" team to respond with a more clinical performance, something they achieved early and late in a tense contest.
The home side scored four tries to three to go top of the standings in the tightly fought Rugby Championship, although they could be surpassed by South Africa or Argentina, who were to meet in Durban on Saturday.
Australia's defeat leaves them without a win over the All Blacks on New Zealand soil since 2001, with victory having eluded them in 23 straight matches at Eden Park.