SYDNEY, 27 July 2003 — New Zealand produced a sparkling display of high-speed rugby to thrash Australia by a record 50-21 in front of 82,000 stunned fans in the Olympic Stadium yesterday, taking control of the Tri-Nations championship in the process.

The brilliant All Blacks ran in seven tries as they chalked up their highest-ever score against the Wallabies a week after they began their Tri-Nations campaign by inflicting a record defeat on South Africa.

Auckland winger Joe Rokocoko, who scored twice in that 52-16 Pretoria success, bagged a hat trick of tries to take his tally to 10 in just five tests. Doug Howlett, Daniel Carter, Tana Umaga and Aaron Mauger also crossed as the defending Tri-Nations champions ran riot with a superb display of handling.

New Zealand’s 50 points were the most any Australian side have conceded at home and the second-highest total conceded anywhere since they began playing internationals in 1903.

Their worst defeat anywhere was 61-22 to South Africa in 1997 while their previous worst against New Zealand was a 43-6 reverse a year earlier. New Zealand’s 39-35 Sydney win three years ago was the previous highest number of points conceded at home.

Yesterday’s 29-point margin was also two points short of Australia’s worst ever at home, a 31-0 defeat to the British Lions in 1966. Australia scored the opening try through Matthew Burke and grabbed two late consolations through former rugby league internationals Wendell Sailor and Mat Rogers but were outclassed for most of the match as they slumped to a third successive defeat for the first time in eight years.

New Zealand, edging ahead of England as favorites to win this year’s World Cup, overcame a slow start to run the Wallabies ragged. Fullback Burke had Australia ahead in the eighth minute, following a spectacular break by Rogers.

Burke missed the conversion after failing with an earlier penalty attempt and the All Blacks took the lead with a Carlos Spencer penalty and Rokocoko’s first score in the 21st minute.

Australia were reduced to 14 men for 10 minutes when Sailor was yellow carded for tackling fullback Mils Muliaina in the air and the All Blacks made them pay, scoring two tries in his absence.

Howlett crossed in the 33rd minute when Mauger sliced his way through and turned the ball back inside then Rokocoko outpaced the cover defense down the left flank for his second after a move that began inside the New Zealand quarter. Burke landed two penalties to keep Australia clinging on but Spencer, who had an excellent game, booted his second on the stroke of halftime to give New Zealand a 23-11 lead at the break.

They extended the lead immediately after the re-start when Spencer kicked a third penalty then Umaga celebrated his 50th Test cap with another slick try to ensure the All Blacks collected a bonus point for scoring four tries. Carter, on in place of Spencer at flyhalf, scored his team’s fifth in the 57th minute but Sailor briefly stopped the onslaught when he scored three minutes later. Rokocoko, whose pace was too hot for the Australian defense all day, completed his hat-trick in the 70th minute before Rogers skirted the defense to score in the 78th.

New Zealand had the final say though when Mauger wriggled his way over in the final minute, Carter converting to bring up the half century for the second week running. New Zealand return home top of the Tri-nations table with 10 points. South Africa, second on four after their opening 26-22 win over Australia, play their return in Brisbane next week.

All Blacks Need to

Get Better, Says Coach

New Zealand coach John Mitchell said his players could not afford to rest on their laurels after crushing wins over Australia and South Africa, warning them they would need to get even better if they wanted to win this year’s World Cup.

Resisting the temptation to bask in the glory of his team’s 50-21 demolition of the Wallabies, Mitchell said the All Blacks had still not reached their peak.

“We’re certainly pleased with the result but there’s still much improvement in the side, especially with the lineout,” he said.

The All Blacks outscored the Australians seven tries to three despite having only 48 percent of the possession and losing the ball on five of their own lineout throws.