New Zealand 24 - 26 Australia: Wallabies hope dramatic win is a springboard to successful tour

However, they kept the ball alive through several phases of play, allowing James O'Connor to crash over before the young winger nervelessly kicked the winning conversion from near the right touchline.

The triumph provided a welcome lift as they prepare for games against Wales, England, Italy and France next month but Deans was loathe to hail the result as a turning point in a mixed year so far.

"I'll let you be the judge of that," he said. "We've got home at the death twice in our last three outings, maybe it's becoming a habit. I hope so. It's a win. It's great for us, it's important for us for what's going to be a tough block of rugby games in the northern hemisphere. Flying there is a lot more pleasurable with a win than a loss but that's all it is.

"While it's not easy at times, we don't live in a bubble. We're aware of expectations just as we have expectations, hopes and ambitions ourselves. This is just a game along the way."

Captain Rocky Elsom was delighted with the manner of Australia's performance and echoed Deans' assessment that it sets the team up nicely for the next few weeks.

"Just the way we went about it was the big thing," Elsom said. "James scored the last try and slotted that goal that made us all happy but just the way the blokes have grown as players and managers of the game was evident to us. We just felt like we could have kept coming. Obviously we had some issues in defence but that's very satisfying and to get a win there, I couldn't think of a better way to start the tour."

New Zealand skipper Richie McCaw has demanded a positive reaction from his side when they face England on Saturday. After falling behind 12-0, the All Blacks fought back to lead 24-12 after an hour before Australia's late rally and O'Connor's last-second points.

"We're proud of what we've done over the last 12 months but there's a week next week as well," said McCaw. "I guess the character of the team is how you get back on the horse. We've got a big Test match coming up that we need to make sure we prepare well for and take the lessons out of this game. If you're a quality team, you've got to be able to do that.

"There's always going to be hiccups along the way. We didn't perform particularly well and we came second. Strength of character comes through in that situation.Win last week or not it's about another game next week and that's how you've got to approach it, rather than think about (winning] streaks.

"I think when we look at next week, we take the lessons out of today. Why we made mistakes, that's what you look at leading into next week. The toughest test is always going to be next week because you don't get ahead of yourself.

"We've got five days to prepare for a big Test match, everyone of them is like that and that's the attitude we will all have."

Coach Graham Henry, meanwhile, claimed he did not think there would not be any long-term repercussions after letting Australia off the hook.

"You always want to keep your foot on the throat and we haven't done that and all credit to them," he said.

"I don't think it's going to affect what's going to happen next year. I think if you look at the history of Rugby World Cups and form going into it, I don't think there's a lot of correlation.

"I don't think we should read too much into that except to say there are a lot of good rugby teams out there.

Scorers: Australia: Tries: Cooper, Ashley-Cooper, Mitchell, O'Connor. Cons: Giteau, O'Connor 2. New Zealand: Tries: Cowan, Jane, Nonu. Cons: Carter 3. Pens: Carter.

Australia: Beale; O'Connor, Ashley-Cooper, Giteau, Mitchell; Cooper, Genia; Robinson, Moore, Alexander, Chisholm, Sharpe, Elsom, Pocock, McCalman. Subs used: Barnes for Giteau (64), Burgess for Genia (77), Slipper for Robinson (52), S. Faingaa for Moore (62), Mumm for Chisholm (73).

New Zealand: Muliaina; Jane, Smith, Nonu, Rokocoko; Carter, Cowan; Woodcock, Mealamu, O. Franks, Thorn, Donnelly, Kaino, McCaw, Read. Subs used: Toeava for Jane (52), Donald for Carter (60), Mathewson for Cowan (73), Afoa for O. Franks (60), Whitelock for Donnelly (66). Not Used: Elliot, Braid.

Referee: A Rolland (Ireland)

Attendance: 40,000