New Zealand 30-14 Australia

New Zealand continued their ominous pre-World Cup form with a comfortable win over Tasman rivals Australia in Auckland, and in form like this - combined with the home advantage the tournament will give them - it is difficult to see who can deny them the chance to reclaim the William Webb Ellis trophy.

Today's triumph over Australia, which followed a crushing defeat of South Africa in Wellington last weekend, gives New Zealand a clear lead in this season's truncated Tri-Nations tournament. More importantly perhaps, it has given a psychological boost to the favourites, who have been perceived as having choked at every World Cup since they won the inaugural version in 1987.

Dan Carter, who regained his international point-scoring record from Jonny Wilkinson last weekend, appears - still - to be at the peak of his game. Ma'a Nonu, too, seems to have regained the form of his prime, and combined well with former Hurricanes centre partner Conrad Smith to rip through the Australian backline.

Lock Ali Williams was solid in his first appearance for the All Blacks for three years, and despite his traditional frosty glare, New Zealand coach Graham Henry will have been satisfied with the display at the redeveloped Eden Park.

For their part, the Wallabies might feel aggrieved with the scoreline, which failed to reflect the pressure that they exerted on their hosts for large periods. Australia dominated territory and possession in the first half, and coach Robbie Deans will have been disappointed that they headed in for the interval 17-0 in arrears.

Australia - particularly through scrum-half Will Genia and wingers Digby Ioane and James O'Connor (despite missing three penalties) - have an exciting backline, and if they all click, they could tear almost any team apart with stylish ease. The Wallabies' main box office attraction Quade Cooper, however, had a poor game, attempting simply to be too clever.

Cooper's apparent loss of rugby intelligence was epitomised by an offload he made out of the back of his hand when facing down three All Blacks on his own tryline; the pass, in the general vicinity of O'Connor, landed dangerously in the in-goal area, and only O'Connor's smart reactions, hacking the ball away, prevented Conrad Smith from falling on the ball for what would have been a gifted score.

Cooper is one of the potential stars of this tournament, but if he insists on trying to force plays, he risks undermining all that he is undoubtedly capable of achieving. His sublime mispass in the build-up to Rocky Elsom's score underlined his talents, but he threw numerous forward passes, at times kicked loosely and his reckless flip pass illustrated that, if he is not allowed space to be creative, he turns from Australia's spark to something of an Achilles' heel.