The All Blacks just keep on climbing.
Without their skipper, playing in a game which had nothing riding on it, and just home from an exhausting trip around the world, one could have excused the men in black for putting on a sub-par effort.
But not this mob. Far from it. Their standards are sky-high.
The 41-33 win over the Wallabies at Forsyth Barr Stadium, after leading 30-19 at the break, was a clear sign of the type of exciting game the All Blacks are attempting to play. The Wallabies also bought into the entertainment option and that combined to deliver a stimulating 80 minutes at the stadium.
All Black openside flanker Sam Cane, who easily stepped into the boots of injured captain Richie McCaw, said it was a great game to play in, with plenty of movement.
''It was a really enjoyable out there. A good fast open game, and I tried to get involved as much as I could,'' Cane said.
''They [Wallabies] had nothing to lose and they can be dangerous when they look to throw the ball around. They managed to score a few tries, which was disappointing for us.
''We scored some points all over the park. But the playmakers stayed composed. We talk about pressure. Things are being talked about all the time and wanting to maintain our composure.''
Lock Jeremy Thrush, who was making his run-on debut for the All Blacks, said he was happy with his performance, apart from a defensive option just before halftime which led to the Wallabies' first try. Thrush missed second five-eighth Matt Toomua, and a try was scored by Adam Ashley-Cooper.
''There was a bit of a hiccup there and the coaches asked me at halftime what had happened,'' Thrush said.
''But it was awesome to be out there. All the boys were really supportive. I'm reasonably satisfied in how I went. There were a couple of things I could have done better but hopefully, I'll get to have another go.''
Apart from his defensive miss, Thrush had a solid debut.
Left winger Julian Savea scored the opening try after fullback Israel Dagg had made a nice break down the blindside.
On the half-hour mark, Aaron Cruden put in a nice cross-field kick and Savea and Dagg combined to send Cane over.
Cruden scored himself, just before halftime, after some nice All Black passing.
The game was all over the park and the Wallabies got a sniff when Toomua profited from a poor Savea pass.
But stand-in captain Kieran Read got on the end of a hefty overlap and the Wallabies were dead and buried.
Cane impressed, while prop Charlie Faumuina continues to improve.
Quade Cooper was the best for the Wallabies but their play was handicapped by silly mistakes at key times.
All Blacks v Wallabies: The scores
All Blacks ... 41
Julian Savea, Sam Cane, Aaron Cruden, Kieran Read tries; Aaron Cruden 3 con, 4 pen; Beauden Barrett pen
Wallabies ... 33
Adam Ashley-Cooper, Matt Toomua, Tevita Kuridrani tries; Quade Cooper 3 con, 3 pen, drop goal
Halftime: All Blacks 30-19.
Crowd: 28,973.