How the All Blacks' attack caught fire against the Wallabies

Analysis: A day after their seven-try demolition of the Wallabies at Eden Park, the All Blacks left for Sydney and the second Bledisloe Cup test with a confidence in their attacking game that is likely growing at a similar rate as their injury list.Wing Leroy Carter (ankle), and forwards Asafo Aumua and Anton Segner (both concussions), plus Ethan Blackadder (calf) are the latest casualties and did not board the plane for the trip ahead of next Saturday's test at Accor Stadium, but the All Blacks are becoming used to swapping their component parts in and out of their match-day squads.Damian McKenzie's sparkling performance at No.10 following the injuries to Ruben Love and Richie Mo'unga meant that first-choice pair were hardly missed, although the little Chiefs player was helped hugely by the service provided by halfback Cam Roigard and Jordie Barrett on either side of him. Centre Quinn Tupaea also had another strong game.More important probably was the evidence that the multi-option attacking shape the All Blacks are playing with under All Blacks attack coach Mike Blair and head coach Dave Rennie is lethal when combined with quick ruck ball (and dry conditions) against a slightly disconnected defence.The All Blacks have long prided themselves on their catch and pass skills and decision-making on attack in comparison with other international teams.Those abilities were put under severe pressure by the world champion Springboks recently, but the display against the No.6-ranked Wallabies, who defend differently (and less well, on the evidence of Saturday night) provided strong evidence that New Zealand's methods are effective (and that South Africa are on a different level).Of McKenzie, who moved from fullback to the No.10 jersey in what was his first test start at first-five since November last year, Blair said: "When Richie stepped out of training on Tuesday it was just seamless, Damian stepping in.Wing Will Jordan relished the space provided by the Australia defence at Eden Park.Joshua Devenie / www.photosport.nz"We had a few new attack strikes we were looking at and he didn't skip a bit. Last night he was excellent - his running game and his understanding and manipulation of space was brilliant. He's a brave player as well - he was throwing his body into tackles and breakdowns."McKenzie was prominently involved in the first two All Blacks' tries for Peter Lakai and Tupou Vaa'i and his acceleration into space after receiving the ball behind his team's attacking pods was generally too hot for the Wallabies to handle.Love and Mo'unga both also have this attribute - pace off the mark and an ability to see and manipulate space - which is a credit to the All Blacks' depth, but also a game plan which makes the most of their special qualities.Clearly, the All Blacks' vastly improved ability to win quick ruck ball and the aerial battle, after struggling in both areas in South Africa, was helpful to the attack, too, though.The Boks are generally regarded as the best in the world at slowing their opposition's ball and winning it in the air, but the Wallabies are not deficient in these areas.Scott Barrett claims a re-start during his team's Bledisloe Cup victory over Australia.Shane Wenzlick / www.photosport.nzLoose forwards Harry Wilson and Fraser McReight specialise in getting their hands on the ball at the breakdown and their back three of Joseph-Aukuso Sua'ali'i, Tom Wright and Max Jorgensen are generally stronger than their All Blacks' counterparts under the high ball.Returning lock Scott Barrett brought a harder edge to the All Blacks' pack, but in fairness all the forwards were more direct (or were allowed to be) than they were in the recent three defeats to the Boks."That was a real focal point for us," Blair said of his team's quick ruck ball."We knew the strength Australia have got in that department - they've got four or five really strong 'jacklers' and on the whole we did a really good job."Blair added: "There was some good balance to our game. Our halfbacks controlled the game when we had momentum and we stayed on top of the defence but when we lost it we were able to break the game up by using our kicking game."Our ability to regain the ball and create opportunities from that was awesome."That was a really competitive test match - right up to the last 15 or 20 minutes it was still all to play for. We had a couple of big moments right after halftime. They made a break straight from the kick-off and we got a penalty from the next lineout and that was a big shift because [a try from] that would have put the momentum all in their favour."