Michael Hooper was superb for the Wallabies. Source: Mark Nolan / Getty Images
THE Wallabies' quest to end an 11-year Bledisloe Cup drought hit a major hurdle in Sydney as the All Blacks out-muscled and outclassed the hosts.
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The Wallabies lacked cohesion in defence, failing to shut down New Zealand's clinical broken-field play.
We review all the talking points from the opening Bledisloe Cup match!
THE MATCH
New coach. New team. Same result. The pressure proved too much for a Wallabies side desperate to right the wrongs of past Bledisloe disappointments.
The new-look Wallabies - highlighted by the inclusion of debutant Matt Toomua at five-eighth - consistently failed to organise themselves in attack and defence, leaking points through fundamental mistakes.
Despite the All Blacks scoring three first-half tries, Wallabies centre Christian Lealiifano kept his team in the match with pinpoint goal kicking.
But it was another incredible long-range Will Genia try that gave the Wallabies hope heading into the break. But hope was all the Wallabies could do as the All Blacks capitalised on every turnover, culminating in a hat-trick to winger Ben Smith.
WALLABIES BEST
He was forced to the bench for the last British and Irish Lions Test for Wallaby legend George Smith, but Michael Hooper proved he is the best openside flanker in Australia with a sublime performance that matched the lofty heights of his opposite number, Richie McCaw.
Hooper was a constant threat at the breakdown, forcing penalties and pilfering like a man possessed.
But it was his support play and openfield running that threatened the All Blacks defence, highlighted by Hooper scooping up a loose ball from a line-out, busting through two tackles and offloading to Will Genia who scored the Wallabies solitary first-half try. An incredible performance in a beaten side.
ALL BLACKS BEST
Here come the men in black. Aaron Cruden was the deserved man of the match, slipping into Dan Carter's enormous boots to control the tempo of the All Blacks' attack and produced an immaculate goal-kicking display.
But it was the return of the king, Richie McCaw, who proved he is the most valuable player in world rugby. Beware Wallabies; Richie's sabbatical has turned a beast into a god.
The All Blacks captain could be sighted at every ruck, maul, tackle contest and loomed up after every break. The man is simply the best. Here's hoping Carter's sabbatical doesn't go as well.
WHERE TO NOW?
Luckily, the Wallabies have an immediate opportunity to redeem themselves. Unluckily, it's against the All Blacks again. And this time it's on their turf. Australia hasn't won in New Zealand since 2001, and on their ANZ Stadium efforts a drought-breaking victory in Wellington doesn't look likely.
Ewen McKenzie is keeping the faith, however.
The rookie Wallabies coach insists his side won't be throwing in the towel, insisting at the post-match media conference that his side bouncing back wasn't out of the question.
"I've been around the rugby scene for a long time. If you look at a lot of results, you'll see 70-point turnarounds in seven days,'' McKenzie said.
McKenzie has plenty to ponder. Aside from figuring out how to limit the mistakes his players make, he might also consider some changes to his line-up.
Jesse Mogg didn't set the world on fire in his starting debut at fullback, while Tevita Kuridrani looked lively when he came off the bench to inject some punch into the Wallabies backline.
THE TRC PICTURE
The Bledisloe Cup looks like staying in New Zealand for (yet) another year, but what about the Wallabies' Rugby Championship hopes? There's a way to go, but the All Blacks are already looking good to hold on to that piece of silverware as well.
Of course, it's only early days and the Springboks and even Argentina - who played early on Sunday morning - could have something to say about that as well.
But the bottom line is a first-up loss at home - no matter how good the opposition - is far from the ideal start for Australia and McKenzie.
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