Hodge nailed two penalties – one from the left touchline and the other from 53 metres out – to give Australia the advantage it needed to break a seven-game losing streak against the best rugby team in the world. 

"It was pleasing for one to finally go over," Hodge said. "I probably haven't held up my own in that end; kicking the long range ones over the past few months. I was happy that a couple went over tonight. That's what you practise for, to make them high percentage shots. 

"I was actually on the other wing and they pointed to the posts as I came over and Nardy [Bernard Foley] was telling me I was taking it. I was a bit nervous. It just got over thankfully." 

Australia led by five points going into the final two minutes but an All Blacks penalty had  viewers worried that  another Dunedin was about to unfold. 

On the field, it was a different story.

"We were very clear in what we were going to do in the last couple of minutes tonight and a penalty for them wasn't in the plan but we backed our defence and thankfully came up tonight," Hodge said. 

"It's great for the belief. We've been there or there abouts for the last six weeks and it is pleasing to close out a game like that and they were throwing everything they had at us for the last couple of minutes. It's a real tick for our defensive system. Hopefully we can build on it." 

The Wallabies will enjoy celebrations for the time being before preparing in Sydney this week for a match against a Barbarians team coached by Alan Jones. 

The following Tuesday they will depart for Japan for a match against the Cheery Blossoms before making their way to Europe for games against Wales, England and Scotland. 

From 10 Tests this year, the Wallabies have won five, drawn two and lost three. 

Hodge, however, said the team wanted to keep a lid on the win. 

"We're trying to build and we've got that end goal of trying to be No.1 in the world eventually," Hodge said. "We're doing everything we can to try and get closer to that goal. It's one win, we've got to remember that … and we lost the Bledisloe Cup." 

Marika Koroibete continued to his try-scoring ways, crossing for a crucial five-pointer in the 57th minute in what was his fourth Test try from as many games. 

Asked whether Damian McKenzie was any chance of stopping Koroibete on the left wing, Hodge replied: "I don't think too many people are from that far out. You watch his rugby league days and no one stops him from that far. I was backing him in as soon as he got the ball."

smh.com.au