All Blacks crush Australia 47-29 in Rugby Championship opener

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Winger Ben Smith scored a hat-trick as a ruthless New Zealand opened their Rugby Championship title defence with a six-try 47-29 victory over Australia on Saturday to ruin Ewen McKenzie's first match as Wallabies coach.

New Zealand All Blacks player Smith scores a try as Australian Wallabies player Folau tackles him during their Bledisloe Cup rugby test match at Stadium Australia in Sydney

The world champions scored three tries either side of halftime at the Olympic Stadium with flyhalf Aaron Cruden, captain Richie McCaw and centre Conrad Smith supplementing Ben Smith's triple score.

Scrumhalf Will Genia and James O'Connor scored what were ultimately consolation tries for the home side with Christian Leali'ifano remaining flawless in international rugby with seven kicks from seven attempts for 19 points with his boot.

As well as giving the All Blacks a bonus point in the Rugby Championship, the victory means Australia must win both the return in Wellington next week and a third test in Dunedin in October to win back the Bledisloe Cup for the first time since 2003.

(Reporting by Nick Mulvenney, editing by Rex Gowar)