New Zealand drew first blood in the Tri-Nations and Bledisloe Cup series with a tough 12-6 victory over Australia in wet and near-freezing conditions in Christchurch today.
The game was decided in the old-fashioned way, by penalty goals, four to New Zealand's Andrew Mehrtens and two to Australia's Matt Burke.
Mehrtens was a key player again with his positional kicking vital, and when he wasn't able to do the job, his inside-centre, the increasingly outstanding Aaron Mauger, was just as deadly.
Australia's Stephen Larkham attempted to do the same but wasn't quite as accurate while inside-centre Daniel Herbert wasn't able to crash his way through New Zealand's solid defence.
Australia prepared for rain before crossing the Tasman Sea for the match but their practice under sprinklers did not account for the freezing temperatures they would encounter.
It was a dismal affair, punctuated by errors of handling, and judgment.
New Zealand three times got into try-scoring positions, two more than Australia managed, but made mistakes each time.
The worst was 12 minutes from the end when hooker Mark Hamment was penalised for baulking at a lineout throw and the Australians quickly cleared the ball downfield and got into an attacking position themselves.
However the significant difference on the night was the All Blacks' stout defence.
This remained strong despite centre Mark Robinson being sin-binned 10 minutes from time for taking Australian hooker Jeremy Paul out of play as he attempted to follow a kick through to the All Black line.
The Australians hammered the All Black line but the defence held and when halfback Justin Marshall punted the ball to touch, the crowd roared, sensing that Australia's last chance had gone.
It was the first tryless Test between the two rivals since Auckland in 1991 when New Zealand won 6-3.
New Zealand hadn't won since Sydney in 2000 when their 39-35 victory was described as one of the greatest Tests of all-time.
All Black coach John Mitchell, who was under severe pressure to produce a win for a demanding New Zealand rugby public, said his side had stood firm despite the terrible conditions.
"We created pressure and kept the ball. It was fantastic and I am pleased for the whole outfit. The conditions were horrendous for two quality teams," he said.
"It is a shame we had to play at night in conditions like this."
The first half was marred by indecisive play by both sides. New Zealand lost five lineouts from their own throw while also losing possession at one scrum.
However, they did create the one try-scoring opportunity of the half.
Australian fullback Chris Latham attempted a clearing kick, but the ball fell short of the sideline and into the hands of All Black right wing Doug Howlett.
He quickly put up a kick into open space in the Australian 22-metre area.
Flyhalf Stephen Larkham attempted to clear the ball, but he made a hash of it and the fast-following Howlett forced Larkham to kick to touch, but only 15 metres out from the goal line.
The All Blacks won the lineout and produced a superb driving maul that rolled right up to the line but as halfback Justin Marshall attempted to go around the side of the maul to the goal-line, an infringement occurred when prop Greg Sommerville came in from the side.
Two more lineout losses occurred in the second half but the Australians were unable to capitalise and New Zealand were far more functional in the driving, mauling play.
The two teams meet again in Sydney on August 3rd while the All Blacks play South Africa in Wellington next Saturday.