Let's not mince words. This 26-12 victory was one of the greatest New Zealand displays of the modern era, a win as much convincing as it was astounding.
A brilliant attacking display in the first half - when they scored 26 points in 20 minutes - was followed by an outstanding defensive effort in the second spell.
Remember most of the big guns were back for Australia, including Johnathan Thurston and several key forwards. But it didn't matter.
Australian coach Tim Sheens didn't learn his lesson; the Kangaroos' uneasy mix of veterans and debutants didn't work in November and it was ineffective again tonight. The Australians were uncertain, hesitant and inaccurate, thought they were made to be by an aggressive, focussed New Zealand team.
It was the Kiwis' third successive victory over Australia, their first trio of wins since 1952-53. They also - finally - stopped the long Anzac test hoodoo.
The Kiwis set a physical tone early; Issac Luke and Sam Moa both smashed Cooper Cronk (legally) and Martin Taupau continued where he left from the Four Nations with some ferocious charges.
Australia dominated the early period of the match, and scored a deserved try through Sam Thaiday in the 13th minute, running off a Cooper Cronk pass.
Then came an onslaught, surely the best 20 minute period the Kiwis have enjoyed against the Kangaroos in the modern era, and maybe ever? It was extraordinary.
They scored four tries and made numerous breaks, thundering up the field with power and poise. The Kangaroos haven't suddenly become a awful team - they still had plenty of quality footballers on the field - but this young Kiwis team were too big, too strong, too powerful. They were also disciplined, making just a single error across the first 40 minutes, a dropped ball from Luke, which came shortly after the Kiwis hooker was hit heavily by Greg Inglis.
It all started with a crisp set play which swept the width of the field for Manu Vatuvei to power over close to the sideline, and eight minutes later the 'Beast' was over again, for his fourth tries in two matches against Australia. Now the Kiws had the bit between their teeth, the fire in their eyes, epitomised by Taupau's aggressive confrontation with Thaiday.
Shaun Johnson produced a huge sidestep to touch down and continue his sequence against Australia (three in three games) before the Kiwis scored a brilliant try on the stroke of halftime. There was much to admire; the speed of Johnson, the pass of Shaun Kenny-Dowall, the kick from Jason Nightingale and Inglis's continuing inability to produce his best form against the Kiwis.
New Zealand's level dropped in the second half; it was an unprecedented situation to have a 20 point halftime lead, and Australia were always going to throw the kitchen sink.
The Kiwis wanted to keep attacking but fell into the trap of defending their advantage and gave away some cheap, unnecessary penalties, often early in the count.
The referees' calls were going for the home side but some desperate, and brilliant defending - and some poor decisions by Australia - stopped the Kangaroos mounting a serious comeback.
New Zealand 26 (M. Vatuvei 2, S. Johnson, S. Kenny-Dowall tries, S. Johnson 5 goals), Australia 12 (S.Thaiday, W.Chambers tries, J. Thurston 2 goals). Halftime: 26-6
