KEY POINTS:
Of all the shocks foisted on rugby followers on Saturday night, perhaps none was more pleasantly surprising than the emergence of the All Blacks' lineout as an attacking weapon.
The stats were jaw-dropping. The All Blacks snaffled eight of the traditionally superior Wallabies' throws and lost just one of their own, taking the overall lineout count to 17-9.
No fewer than 30 of the All Blacks' points came courtesy of a well-executed lineout, a steal from a Wallaby throw, or an infringement by the befuddled Australians.
Hardly a noted lineout forward, Jerome Kaino alone had four steals from Australian throws.
For those whose rugby impressions have largely been formed since the introduction of lifting, the notion of great All Blacks' lineout play has been pretty much an abstract concept. The lineouts that stand out are the botched jobs that have led to defeat, such as Todd Blackadder's effort in 2000 in Wellington that resulted in John Eales kicking a match-winning penalty.
That was, of course, until Saturday.
"Not too bad, actually, for a change," was the way forwards coach Steve Hansen described the performance. "Obviously we are very happy. The boys have been working hard at it and they got their reward."
Wallabies coach Robbie Deans faced a post-match inquisition over the abject failure of his side's lineout, with one Australian scribe describing it as "one of the more bizarre performances for an Australian lineout" recently.
One has to wonder if the Aussies are starting to suspect that a rubbish lineout may be part of the baggage that comes with a New Zealand coach.
The next challenge for the All Blacks' lineout will be to see whether they can deal with Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha in Cape Town in two weeks' time.
TIME LINE(OUT)
42s
No sign that anything is amiss with the Wallabies' lineout as hooker Stephen Moore hits lock James Horwill with the first throw of the game.
8.36
Daniel Carter finds touch inside the Wallaby 22. George Smith claims Moore's throw but Ali Williams intercepts his pass and claims possession.
10.11
The All Blacks call a short lineout and Jerome Kaino easily beats Horwill despite the All Blacks having only four in the lineout to Australia's five.
10.45
Jimmy Cowan finds touch in Wallaby territory. Kaino gets in front of Nathan Sharpe to steal the ball. The visitors infringe and Carter kicks a penalty. 6-3
16.45
The Wallabies concede a free kick for closing the gap.
17.37
Moore throws short to halfback Luke Burgess but the throw doesn't travel 5m. Tony Woodcock scores his first try after play is restarted with a scrum. 13-3
22.12:
Woodcock scores again as the All Blacks execute a perfect 5m lineout set play. 18-3
30.56:
Reserve lock Dan Vickerman is on for the Wallabies. He provides quick ball off the top and Stirling Mortlock breaks clear to send Adam Ashley-Cooper in for the try. 18-10
37.17:
Ali Williams and Woodcock repeat the play that brought the prop his second try. The Wallabies infringe and Carter kicks the penalty. 21-10
42.47
The Wallaby lineout is unravelling at pace. Nathan Sharp can only deflect the ball back on the Wallaby side and halfback Luke Burgess is smashed by Richie McCaw as he gathers the ball. Ma'a Nonu scores out wide from the turnover.
28-10
51.12
Tatafu Polota-Nau replaces Moore and things go from bad to indescribably awful for the Wallaby lineout. Williams pinches Polota-Nau's first throw.
55.55
Kaino is stealing Wallaby ball for fun. The Wallabies infringe in midfield and Carter kicks the penalty. 31-10
70.20
Kaino beats Horwill at the front for yet another steal.
73.20
Prop Al Baxter claims a rare Wallaby take as the ball drops kindly into his arms.
79.53
Not straight from Polota-Nau. A turnover each way later and Nonu streaks away to score the bonus point try. 39-10.
