Williams celebrates All Blacks victory

Australia 19 New Zealand 27

Sonny Bill Williams made a triumphant return to ANZ Stadium as New Zealand claimed victory over Australia in the Rugby Championship opener today.

After conceding an early penalty goal the All Blacks piled on 18 unanswered points before a try by Nathan Sharpe trimmed the half-time deficit to 18-10.

The Wallabies twice closed to within five points on the back of Berrick Barnes penalty goals early in the second half but Dan Carter answered both to restore the visitors' eight-point buffer.

Barnes closed the gap again in the 76th minute but the Wallabies blew a last-ditch chance to attack and squandered a bonus point when they conceded a late scrum penalty after the siren.

Israel Dagg and Cory Jane scored New Zealand's tries while veteran lock Sharpe was the only try scorer for the home side.

Carter kicked six from eight for a 17-point haul while Barnes landed a perfect five from five in front of 76,877 fans.

The win leaves the Kiwis one win away from retaining the Bledisloe Cup ahead of Saturday's return clash at Eden Park.

The Wallabies posted the first points with a third-minute penalty goal to Barnes after Williams, playing his first game at ANZ Stadium since walking out on the Bulldogs in 2008, threw a forward pass with his first touch.

Carter answered from out wide to level things up in the 11th minute after the Wallabies scrum was penalised for collapsing.

The All Blacks scored the opening try two minutes later after a beautiful set move off an attacking scrum.

Carter received the ball on halfway and drifted across field dangerously.

Williams ran an inside decoy line to wrong-foot the Wallabies defence and Carter fired a ball to Dagg who easily stood up Kurtley Beale in the last line to score.

Carter nailed the sideline conversion and added another penalty goal from directly in front on 20 minutes for a 13-3 lead.

The Wallabies made a rare raid into All Blacks territory but came up empty after Beale passed up a penalty goal right in front and unsuccessfully took the quick tap.

Beale, who had a rare off night, cost his side another five points when he knocked on 10m out from his own line before he could get his clearing kick away.

The All Blacks scored off the ensuing scrum when Jane completed a sweeping movement that featured quick hands from Williams and Dagg to open up an 18-3 advantage after 34 minutes.

Veteran Sharpe answered with a crucial try just before the break, crashing over after a powerful run from Digby Ioane left the Kiwi defence stretched.

Barnes and Carter traded early penalty goals after the resumption but Barnes again found the target from 40m to close within a try in the 50th minute.

Carter could not connect from 51m out but he made no mistake from close range on the hour to restore the visitors' eight-point buffer after David Pocock was penalised at the breakdown.

The Kiwis continued to dominate territory and possession but could not land the knockout blow as the Wallabies defended grimly.