All Blacks hold off Wallabies rally to retain Bledisloe Cup

Cam Roigard scored two tries on his return from injury as the All Blacks held off a Wallabies fightback to prevail 33-24 in a hard-fought Rugby Championship test on Saturday and maintain their grip on the Bledisloe Cup for another year.

Tries from Caleb Clarke, Leroy Carter and scrumhalf Roigard gave New Zealand an early 17-point lead, but Australia, who last held the Bledisloe Cup in 2003, were within two points of the lead when flanker Carlo Tizzano crossed 11 minutes from time.

Wallabies winger Harry Potter was shown a yellow card in the 73rd minute, however, and the All Blacks backs sent Roigard in for his second try to extend their unbeaten run at Auckland's Eden Park to 52 tests over 31 years.

"We got a good start but the Aussies, they never give up and they just kept coming and coming," said All Blacks skipper Ardie Savea.

"Proud of our boys for sticking at it."

The victory sent New Zealand to the top of the Rugby Championship standings, three points ahead of Australia, before Argentina's clash with South Africa in Durban in the penultimate round of the competition later on Saturday.

Australia captain Harry Wilson bemoaned his team's slow start but said there was still plenty to play for against the All Blacks in Perth next week.

"It's obviously disappointing to miss out on the Bledisloe Cup for another year," said the number eight.

"We gave ourselves an opportunity there. We're definitely on the right track, we just can't keep giving teams head starts."

The All Blacks, looking to rebound from their record 43-10 reverse at the hands of the Springboks in their last outing in Wellington, hit the breakdown hard from the start and took the early honours in aerial battle.

Wingers Clarke and Carter crossed in the corners