New Zealand, inspired by brilliant 33-point flyhalf Dan Carter, overwhelmed a new-look British and Irish Lions with a record 48-18 victory on Saturday to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
New Zealand produced a wonderful all-round performance against a Lions team unrecognisable in personnel and attitude from that humiliated 21-3 in last week's first Test but who still found themselves on the receiving end of a record scoreline.
Yesterday's result was the highest total by any international side against the Lions, eclipsing their own 38-6 win in the final Test at Auckland in 1983, though the margin was two short of the record from the same match.
Carter capped a stunning display by setting an individual scoring record from two tries, five penalties and four conversions, beating Matt Burke's 25 points in Melbourne four years ago.
New Zealand captain Tana Umaga, who had been at the centre of controversy for his part in the tackle that injured Brian O'Driscoll last week, scored the first of his team's five tries while Sitiveni Sivivatu and Richie McCaw also grabbed five-pointers.
New Lions skipper Gareth Thomas scored their first try of the series after two minutes and Irish flanker Simon Easterby scored a late consolation.
English flyhalf Jonny Wilkinson booted two penalties and a conversion but was generally ineffective before leaving the match with a shoulder injury just as Carter was confirming himself as the best No 10 in the world.
The Lions, showing 11 changes from the team humiliated in Christchurch, produced a far more committed performance and fixed their lineout problems but were still comprehensively beaten by a ruthless All Blacks side.
"We were quite outstanding because the Lions played very well, much better than last week," All Blacks coach Graham Henry told Sky Sports TV.
"But our guys went up 20 per cent on last week. These guys enjoy playing, they wanted to express themselves like great sports teams do.
"Daniel carter was quite amazing he had an outstanding game. He was my man of the match but everybody played well."
Despite the defeat, Lions coach Clive Woodward refused to be downcast.
"I thought the guys were fantastic right up to the last minute and I am immensely proud of them," he said.
"They [New Zealand] are an outstanding team, well drilled and co-ordinated and they scored some great tries late in the game."
Thomas was also pleased with the improvement.. "I feel a lot better now than I did last week," he said.
