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New Zealand break Tri-nations duck
 Rokocoko (right) was among the try scorers in the All Blacks' victory SYDNEY, Australia -- New Zealand overcame a sloppy start and a series of missed opportunities to thrash Australia 30-13 at the Olympic stadium. The All Blacks piled on 30 unanswered points after trailing 13-0 after 12 minutes. It was their first Tri-nations win this season and means they retain the Bledisloe Cup for the third year running. The victory lifted New Zealand into second place in the Tri-nations standings behind South Africa, who won both their home matches earlier this month, while almost certainly ending Australia's title hopes. Australia host the Springboks in Perth next weekend before the series moves to New Zealand for the final leg. The All Blacks scored three tries through scrumhalf Piri Weepu, openside flanker Richie McCaw and winger Joe Rokocoko but could just as easily finished with half a dozen touchdowns after squandering a string of golden chances. "We're very pleased with the performance, we showed a lot of character and heart out there after being 13-0 down," said New Zealand coach Graham Henry. "Perhaps we could have won by more...but Christmas doesn't come along everyday," he added. The Australians scored a lone consolation try through their new fullback Drew Mitchell but spent most of the match defending and were lucky not to have been beaten by a far bigger margin. New Zealand dominated the scrums but struggled on their own lineouts and despite regularly breaking the Australian defensive line they wasted a number of chances. The match failed to live up to expectations with both teams repeatedly dropping the ball and making unnecessary errors. Both sides suffered a high casualty toll with the Australians, already forced to choose a below-strength side, losing five players to injuries. The All Blacks lost their influential flyhalf Dan Carter who was carried from the field with a leg injury in the 68th minute. Matt Giteau opened the scoring for Australia with a penalty in the second minute when Chris Jack was caught for not releasing the ball then kicked a second goal five minutes later when Rodney So'oialo was penalised for not staying on his feet. The All Blacks were unlucky not to have been awarded a try when Aaron Mauger crossed out wide after a 50-metre burst only for the try to be disallowed by English referee Tony Spreadbury who ruled that an earlier pass had been knocked-on, although television replays suggested that was not the case. New Zealand's frustration only increased when Mitchell, starting in a test for the first time, fended off an attempted tackle by Carter to slide over for the first try which Giteau converted to lead 13-0. Carter made amends when he kicked a penalty in the 15th minute to open New Zealand's account. They squandered another try chance when tighthead prop Carl Hayman knocked-on with a two-man overlap outside him but finally got over in the 28th minute when scrumhalf Weepu darted over after Rokocoko burst down the left touchline. Carter converted to pull the margin back to three points at the break before levelling the scores at 13-13 with an early second half strike. New Zealand blew another golden opportunity when winger Rico Gear dropped the ball over the line but took the lead for the first time in the 51st minute when Carter landed his third penalty after the Australians collapsed the scrum. McCaw put the result beyond doubt when he charged over from a quick tap 15 minutes from the end, then Rokocoko put the icing on the cake with a spectacular kick-and re-gather solo try. 
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