THE Wallabies' Eden Park hoodoo will extend into a 24th year after the Australians wilted under a second-half onslaught from the All Blacks to go down 22-16 in their Bledisloe Cup opener.
Australia could not replicate an impressive first-half attacking performance in a tense tactical battle that finished at one try apiece last night.
New Zealand flyhalf Stephen Donald booted four second-half penalty goals to ram home the All Blacks' territorial advantage as the Wallabies struggled under pressure at the breakdown and scrum.
The Australians had led 13-10 after a bright first half in which centre Berrick Barnes scored a try, before All Blacks captain Richie McCaw countered in the 26th minute.
Australia has not won at Eden Park since a 22-9 victory in 1986 and not won in New Zealand since 2001.
''I thought we built a lot of pressure, created a lot of opportunities, didn't come out of it as well as we would have liked in terms of turning that into points which kept the All Blacks close and allowed them to grind it out,'' bitterly disappointed Wallabies coach Robbie Deans said.
''There was some good play from our lads, we're much better than this time a year ago but still frustrated to be short.
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