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Running out with the aim of having fun was the key to New Zealand's improved performance in the 33-6 Tri-Nations victory over Australia, according to Cory Jane.

Jane, a Wellington local who scored his first international try on his eighth appearance, said the team went into the match in a positive frame of mind despite being under intense pressure after a string of poor performances.

"This whole year we've gone out and tried and tried but I don't think the enjoyment factor was quite there," Jane said.

"Everything we did right, we'd give each other a pat on the back or talk each other up, it gave us a lot of confidence."

The All Blacks looked a different team from the one that lost 32-29 to South Africa a week ago, dominating Australia across the park.

The best moment for Jane came just past the half-hour mark, with the All Blacks leading 9-3, when he chased a Mils Muliaina high kick and climbed over James O'Connor to gather the ball and dash 30 metres to the line.

"I was just trying to disrupt him and ... it ended up in my hands," said Jane of his spectacular leap over the diminutive O'Connor.

"It was good to score because I had a try disallowed against France (in June) in that corner so it was good to score at home in front of family and friends."

The try capped a solid performance from the 26-year-old, who was strong in the All Blacks's kick-and-chase game and looked dangerous from broken play or attacking the line despite playing out of position on the wing.

"I still prefer to play fullback," Jane said of his customary position for the Wellington Hurricanes. "But I said I wanted to get involved a bit more rather than just standing out on the wing and I did it, even when I didn't get the ball I still tracked to the other side.

"I was quite happy the way I did that."

Reuters