TRI-NATIONS SERIES: New Zealand  22 Australia 16: NEW ZEALAND drew first blood in the 2009 Bledisloe Cup and Tri-Nations series with an entertaining win against Australia in Auckland on Saturday.

With talisman skipper Richie McCaw back to lead the way, the All Blacks shrugged off their indifferent early-season form to come from behind and lay down a marker ahead of Tests in South Africa in the next two weekends.

Twelve months ago McCaw returned from a six-week injury lay-off to inspire the All Blacks to a 39-10 victory against the Wallabies at Eden Park just a week after a heavy defeat in Sydney.

On Saturday he produced another strong performance to galvanise a side that had stuttered their way to a drawn series with France and win against Italy.

The return of warrior number eight Rodney So’oialo and centre Conrad Smith and wing Sitiveni Sivivatu in the backs also helped instil some composure and direction in the team who grew in confidence as the match wore on.

For the Wallabies though, the ghosts at Eden Park continue to haunt them. The Australians have not won at the Auckland venue since 1986 but hopes of changing that were high when they raced into an early 10-0 lead.

First Berrick Barnes ghosted past a slack All Blacks defence to touch down after four minutes and Matt Giteau’s conversion and a penalty gave them a handy lead.

Stephen Donald then missed his first shot at goal but made no mistake with his second attempt a minute later when Benn Robinson was marched 10 metres for throwing the ball away to put the penalty within kicking distance.

A poor decision by Donald in the 18th minute to grubber kick deep in his own half should have been punished and was not and it proved to be a turning point in the game as the New Zealanders got their tails up.

The ball came back off the legs of Giteau who dived forward to smother it before popping the ball up to Barnes. He evaded the All Blacks defence but held onto the ball too long then saw his pass to George Smith hit the flanker and go forward with the line begging.

McCaw was then penalised for playing the ball off his feet and Giteau saw his second penalty hit the upright before going over to put the visitors 13-3 ahead.

But the All Blacks got themselves right back in the game with a try to their skipper. So’oialo’s take at the front of a lineout sparked a nice interplay between Donald, Sivivatu and McCaw which got the All Blacks close. The ball found its way to the All Blacks outhalf again but he was nailed in the tackle and Conrad Smith gathered the ball and set McCaw away.

Donald’s conversion reduced the deficit to 13-10 and the score remained that way to half-time after he and Giteau both missed a penalty attempt each.

Donald got the All Blacks ahead early in the second half with two successful penalty kicks before Giteau replied to level the scores 16-16. Donald, with the wind behind him in the second half, banged over another three-pointer after a great charge down by Jerome Kaino on Giteau got the All Blacks on the attack.

Giteau missed another penalty chance on 63 minutes as Wallaby hopes of victory faded. Aussie hooker Stephen Moore was penalised for killing the ball allowing Donald to slot his fifth penalty of the night after 74 minutes to put the home side 22-16 in front.

NEW ZEALAND: Muliaina, Jane, Smith, Nonu, Sivivatu, Donald, Cowan, So'oialo, McCaw, Kaino, Ross, Thorn, Tialata, Hore, Woodcock. Replacements: Mealamu, Franks, Eaton, Read, Weepu, McAlister, Rokocoko.

AUSTRALIA: Ashley-Cooper, Turner, Mortlock, Barnes, Mitchell, Giteau, Burgess, Palu, Smith, Brown, Sharpe, Horwill, Baxter, Moore, Robinson. Replacements: Polota-Nau, Alexander, Mumm, Waugh, Pocock, Genia, O'Connor.

Referee: Mark Lawrence(South Africa).