NZ reclaim Bledisloe Cup

George Smith scored the Wallabies' lone try while inside centre Elton Flatley landed four penalties from as many attempts as the world champions threatened to steal victory in the dying minutes of the teams' final pre-World Cup hitout.

The Wallabies produced a vastly better performance than their 50-21 loss to the All Blacks in Sydney last month to give their World Cup aspirations a boost, but the All Blacks were still marginally the better side.

Howlett scored two electrifying tries in the first half hour before the All Blacks were forced to rely on their defence to get them home.

Australia opened the scoring with a penalty from Flatley in the second minute but the All Blacks quickly replied with Howlett's first touchdown.

Fullback Mils Muliaina broke the Australian line after fielding a kick deep inside his own half. He sprinted down the left flank then shifted the ball back across the right. Aaron Mauger put Keven Mealamu into a hole and the hooker offloaded the ball to Howlett to finish off the try.

Australia regained the lead by the 22nd minute after Flatley slotted another two penalties but the All Blacks again hit back with Howlett's second try. Jerry Collins stole the ball from the Australians when George Gregan hesitated at the ruck and Carlos Spencer chipped into the corner for Howlett who easily won the race to the ball.

DROPPED BALL

Spencer kicked a penalty to extend New Zealand's lead to 15-9 and the All Blacks were unlucky not to go even further ahead when Canterbury lock Chris Jack dropped the ball over the line on the stroke of halftime.

Spencer landed a second penalty shortly after the re-start but Flatley cut the margin back to six points with his fourth goal midway through the half.

Australia came close to scoring when replacement loose forward Owen Finegan was held up then flyhalf Stephen Larkham slid into the posts but the video referee disallowed both claims for a try.

Spencer gave the All Blacks a nine-point cushion with his third penalty before the Wallabies mounted their late challenge.

Smith scored out wide with five minutes remaining when Gregan darted down the blindside and cleverly passed over Howlett's head to give the blindside flanker the space he needed to force his way over.

The Wallabies flung the ball around in the final few moments in the desperate hope of snatching victory but the All Blacks' defence held out.