LONDON—Australia put their dire Tri-Nations season behind them by beating England 18-9 on Saturday to switch attention to their bid for a grand slam of victories over the home unions.
To mark the 25th anniversary of the clean sweep achieved by Nick Farr-Jones's team, arguably the greatest Wallaby side ever, Australia are making their first attempt at a slam since 1984.
The plan looked in danger of falling at the first hurdle on Saturday as England, buoyed by the return of Jonny Wilkinson, were on top from the start and deservedly led 9-5 at halftime.
However, Australia turned things round completely after the break. Young scrumhalf Will Genia delivered a man of the match performance, Matt Giteau kicked them into the lead before Adam Ashley-Cooper sealed the turnaround with a late try.
Having lost six of their last seven tests it was an impressive display by the Wallabies, who now face Six Nations champions Ireland before games against Scotland and Wales.
"Croke Park is a great venue and it will be very challenging but it's a great opportunity to push on," said Australia coach Robbie Deans.
"It's not dissimilar to today - the first 20 minutes will be full on, very passionate, and we have to weather that."
Deans said he had been particularly impressed by the patience shown by his side on Saturday, particularly after they blew two great try-scoring opportunities in the second half.
"I was happy with the way we kept out composure and wore them down," he said.
"The guys didn't become frantic after the missed opportunities and that trust and patience paid off and that's a habit we want to keep."
With Australia a distant third in the Tri-Nations, the way they absorbed England's early threat and then gradually took total control says little about the northern hemisphere threat.
England manager Martin Johnson, who had a baptism of fire with three thrashings by the Tri-Nations teams a year ago, was forced to rely on the old European November chestnut about the touring teams being better prepared.
"Australia have played a lot of tests together and are a bit tighter," said Johnson.
"That doesn't excuse some things but we'll improve from here to next week."
In mitigation Johnson can point to an unprecedented injury list that contributed to a starting team showing just four survivors from last November's corresponding fixture.
And there were huge plus points in the performances of three returning members of the 2003 World Cup-winning side - Wilkinson, Lewis Moody and Steve Thompson.
Wilkinson had a superb game in attack and defence, Moody was a force from open side while hooker Thompson, in his first start for three years, helped establish England's early dominance in the lineout.
"It's great to have them back," said Johnson. "People have asked me all week what Jonny brings to the game and I'd say 'just watch the game' - he's a world class player."
Wilkinson was making his first appearance since the 2008 Six Nations and his first in a November international since 2002.
"The support I've received and the atmosphere here have been amazing," said Wilkinson, who landed two penalties and a drop goal and produced some bone-shaking tackles.
"It's great to be back and I want more of that."
New Zealand Maintain Stranglehold on Wales
In the final 10 minutes, with New Zealand leading 19-6, man-of-the-match Dan Carter pulled down replacement scrumhalf Martin Roberts with a tackle the crowd thought was clearly too high following a sizzling break by Shane Williams.
Alun Wyn Jones then galloped into empty territory after intercepting a pass from Jimmy Cowan but with the defence racing back desperately his attempted pass was knocked to the ground.
Two late penalties by Stephen Jones narrowed the gap but the final score was a fair reflection of the match although Wales coach Warren Gatland was unhappy that flyhalf Carter escaped punishment for his high tackle on Roberts.
"It was a hard, high tackle and a swinging arm. It should have been three points and a yellow card," he told a news conference.
Assistant coach Shaun Edwards added: "They should have been playing with 14 players."
CONSTANT THREAT
Carter, showing no sign of the bruised calf muscle which prevented him training this week, drilled the ball persistently at the Welsh back three, sapping the energy of the home side during a dour first half.
The teams turned around with the score tied 6-6 and the introduction of the lively Cowan at scrumhalf in place of the cumbersome Brendon Leonard gave the All Blacks the spark they needed.
Zac Guildford, making an impressive debut on the left wing, wriggled inside the defence near the Welsh line and hooker Andrew Hore completed the move to score in the 55th minute.
Six minutes later Conrad Smith, a constant threat at centre with his pace and vision, thought he had scored when he appeared to roll over the Welsh line but the try was denied after referee Craig Joubert consulted the television match official.
New Zealand head coach Graham Henry said he thought Smith should have been awarded the try.
"That would have opened up a gap, it was a wee bit disappointing," he told a news conference after his team made it 21 successive victories over Wales.
