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New Zealand weathered an early storm against an aggressive Australia side before overpowering their Antipodean rivals to record a 32-19 victory in Tokyo.

The All Blacks out-scored Australia by two tries to one, but it was Dan Carter who proved crucial to New Zealand adding five penalties to his two conversions to keep the scoreboard ticking over.

"It's pleasing to be 4-0 against the Wallabies this year. It's not a personal thing -- it's a win-loss thing," said New Zealand coach Graham Henry.

"And it's great to have momentum going into the European tour. It's always better when you travel 12 and half hours on a plane like tomorrow with a win under your belt."

Graham Henry's side wrapped up the Bledisloe series with their fourth win of the year over the Wallabies but Robbie Deans should be encouraged by his side's considerable improvement in discipline since their final Tri-Nations clash in September.

"It was a better effort in terms of intensity and physicality," he insisted, comparing his side's performance to their capitulation in Wellington.

"We threatened a lot more but we came up short with our finishing touch.

"We'll be better for this performance. It will be a launch pad," added Deans, whose team will tour Britain and Ireland.

Indeed, the young Australia side genuinely tested the All Blacks throughout the first half and enjoyed a three-point lead at the interval. But once again they faded badly late in the second half as penalties and Carter's metronomic kicking wore down their resistance.

Australia enjoyed the better start of the two sides and fly-half Matt Giteau grabbed two early penalties as New Zealand struggled to settle in front of the 44,000 fans at the National Olympic Stadium.

But an opening penalty from Carter got the All Blacks off the mark before a brilliant flowing move from New Zealand combined with superb handling skills from skipper Richie McCaw sent Sitiveni Sivivatu over the line for the game's first try in the 21st minute.

The All Blacks stretched the Wallabies defence, working the ball through the hands of Jimmy Cowan, McCaw, Tim Donnelly, Mils Muliaina and back to McCaw before the Canterbury Crusaders number eight found Sivivatu on the left wing to touch down unchallenged.

Giteau and Carter traded penalties as the match continued to be finely poised before Sivivatu handed Australia the initiative when he was sin-binned in the 34th minute for a reckless challenge on Adam Ashley-Cooper.

The All Blacks wing made no attempt to take the ball as he took out Ashley-Cooper in mid-air and his absence cost New Zealand almost immediately as Peter Hynes touched down to regain the lead for the Wallabies in a slightly controversial fashion.

Will Genia, impressive throughout the match, found Hynes, who went to ground on the right wing as Cowan and McCaw desperately looked to push him into touch.

The decision went to the television match official who, after a lengthy delay due to inconclusive evidence, left referee Mark Lawrence to award the try on the contentious basis that he had seen nothing to suggest it had not been scored.

The All Blacks were clearly annoyed but quickly withstood further pressure from the Wallabies to only trail by the three points at the half-time whistle.

New Zealand were forced to make the re-start with Sivivatu still in the bin but a moment of brilliance from the excellent Cory Jane to send Conrad Smith over the line quickly restored their lead.

Jane broke through the tackles of Ashley-Cooper and Hynes before lofting a basketball-style pass over the top to Smith, who also forced his way through a host of yellow jerseys before touching down.

And from there New Zealand barely looked back as Carter booted four more penalties, to just the one from Giteau, to give themselves a boost ahead of their tour of Europe.

Pippa Davis / Eurosport