Ma’a Nonu grabbed two tries as the All Blacks went up a gear and silenced their critics by scoring 28 unanswered points in the second half to beat Australia 41-13 at Eden Park in Auckland yesterday and retain the Bledisloe Cup.

Dane Coles and Conrad Smith also scored tries, while referee Nigel Owens awarded a penalty try for a high tackle on scrumhalf Aaron Smith by Quade Cooper, that resulted in the flyhalf being sinbinned in the 47th minute. The All Blacks scored two tries while he was off the field.

Dan Carter added 16 points from the boot in captain Richie McCaw’s record 142nd test match as the world champions stamped an emphatic message to their challengers they would not relinquish the Webb Ellis trophy easily next month.

Cooper slotted two first-half penalties yesterday while Israel Folau scored a consolation late try for the visitors, who had hopes of clinching the Bledisloe Cup for the first time since they lost it in 2003 after a 27-19 victory in Sydney last week.

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