All Blacks double up as Wallabies are vanquished

ISRAEL DAGG scored two firsthalf tries as New Zealand made it back-to-back wins over defending champs Australia in Wellington.

It took only seven minutes for the All Blacks to open the scoring at the Westpac Stadium on the back of good work by scrumhalf Aaron Smith.

His jinking run had Australia’s defence scrambling before the ball was worked out to the right, where Dagg had an easy finish from debutant Anton Lienert-Brown’s popped pass.

Australia quickly responded through a Foley penalty only for Barrett to restore the sevenpoint lead after the Wallabies were penalised from the restart.

Foley was given another opportunity to close the deficit after New Zealand failed to roll away – and he was again on target to make it 10-6 with 20 minutes on the clock.

But New Zealand came storming back once again, Barrett coasting through the Australia defence before sending a long pass out to Dagg, who cut inside for his second try.

Barrett was off target with his conversion attempt and then missed a penalty from the right touchline, allowing Hodge to reduce the deficit to six points with a kick from inside his own half that sailed home.

Australia survived a 10-minute period either side of halftime without Adam Coleman – who was sin-binned for a late shoulder charge on Ben Smith – but they were powerless to stop New Zealand crossing for their third try on 47 minutes.

Barrett’s long flat pass allowed Ben Smith to get on the outside of his defender and send Savea over in the corner.

Barrett converted from the touchline to make it 22-9 but sent a penalty wide after Hodge had done likewise for Australia.

Any hopes the Wallabies had of a comeback were extinguished when Cane powered his way over from close range and Barrett added the extras.