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High in confidence after their memorable World Cup triumph, the mighty All Blacks reminded the Wallabies that their pain was to continue for another year.
They have won 14 consecutive, thrashing their trans-Tasman rivals to take a firm hold of the Bledisloe Cup for another year.
The retirements of Richie McCaw, Dan Carter and a host of others who formed that fearsome All Black team threw a glimmer of hope to the other nations about their possible vulnerability as they regrouped with their emerging stars.
But it has made little difference to a nation which could throw together a second-string line up that could still beat the other nations in the world game.
Under mastermind Steve Hansen and new skipper Kieran Read, the All Blacks were ruthless in the Wallabies capitulation. They exposed weaknesses not seen in the gold jumper for a long period of time.
They outplayed the usually tough Aussies in the forwards and tore gaping holes in the backline to destroy any hidden aspirations the Wallabies had and reduced them to a broken and tortured mess. Scorelines of 42-8 and 29-9 showed the true extent of the All Black dominance over the Wallabies and a widening gap against all comers.
Exit McCaw enter Read, exit Dan Carter enter Beauden Barrett and the All Blacks appear to have not missed a beat as they continued the juggernaut that that has rolled on since the World Cup.
Barrett, though not yet in the class of Carter and a few other illustrious All Black playmakers before him, is quickly showing signs that there is an unlimited flow of outside halves emerging from a nation blessed with the best rugby talent in the world.
As the Rugby Championship takes over interest after the Bledisloe Cup has now been decided, the All Blacks put on another clinic against the rugged Pumas before reducing them to a sorry bunch in a 57-22 hiding.
The Wallabies have regrouped after their disappointment, pulling off a close win over the Springboks. The win crucially addressed their failures in the line outs and defence failings in the back line.
If form is anything to go by, the All Blacks look set to claim the Rugby Championship title won by the Wallabies last year and it would be a fitting reward to a team that refuses to take its hands off the throttle in a relentless display of dominance.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.