New Zealand overpowered Australia 32-19 in their Bledisloe Cup clash in Tokyo Saturday to record a seventh straight test win over their trans-Tasman rivals. With this win the All Blacks completed the four-game Bledisloe Cup series with four straight wins. The All Blacks had thrashed Australia 33-6 in an explosive Tri-Nations signoff six weeks ago but were pushed harder by the Wallabies in front of a crowd of 44,000 in Tokyo. The All Blacks defeated the Wallabies 22-16 in Auckland in July, and 19-18 in Sydney in August. “It's pleasing to be 4-0 against the Wallabies this year. It's not a personal thing – it's a win-loss thing,” New Zealand coach Graham Henry told reporters. “And it's great to have momentum going into the European tour. It's always better when you travel 12 and half hours on a plane like tomorrow with a win under your belt.” After two early penalties from flyhalf Matt Giteau put Australia up 6-0, New Zealand winger Sitiveni Sivivatu scored the game's first try in the 21st minute after a superb flowing move. Sivivatu was sin-binned in the 34th minute for wiping out Peter Hynes as he went for a high ball and his absence had swift consequences for the All Blacks. A wide-open Hynes dived in at the corner flag moments later and after lengthy review of the video replay the try was awarded. Giteau converted to give the Wallabies a 16-13 halftime advantage they could have extended after being camped on the All Blacks goal line for the last five minutes of the first period. Conrad Smith burst through after a clever hand-off from flyhalf Daniel Carter to restore New Zealand's lead six minutes into the second half of an open game. Carter's left boot converted four more penalties to stretch the lead as the All Blacks wore down Australia in the second half of their fourth and final Bledisloe Cup test of the year. New Zealand captain Richie McCaw savored a whitewash of victories over Australia in 2009 before both teams fly to Europe to continue their northern hemisphere tour. “It's something to be proud of,” he said. “There was some rough and tumble at the end today and some desperation from the Wallabies. It showed what it means to both teams.” Australia coach Robbie Deans attempted to put a positive spin on his side's latest setback. “It was a better effort in terms of intensity and physicality,” he insisted, comparing his side's performance to their capitulation in Wellington. “We threatened a lot more but we came up short with our finishing touch. “We'll be better for this performance. It will be a launch pad,” added Deans, whose team will tour Britain and Ireland. Australia captain Rocky Elsom said: “I couldn't fault our guys for their effort but it wasn't good enough. We had a score to settle but it didn't happen.” New Zealand led the overall record against the Australians with 110 wins, 45 defeats and five draws. It was also the first game of the All Blacks' six-game Northern Tour against Wales, Italy, England, France and the Barbarians. They will play Wales on Nov. 7 in Cardiff, Italy on Nov. 14 in Milan, England on Nov. 21 in London, France on Nov. 28 in Marseille, and the Barbarians on Dec. 5 in London. After Tokyo, the Wallabies will leave on their first grand slam tour of Britain and Ireland in 25 years starting with a midweek match against Gloucester Tuesday.
