Australia led with a 31st-minute penalty to Mortlock and Carter again wrestled the All Blacks on terms with his third goal after 34 minutes. His fourth four minutes later sent New Zealand to halftime with a 12-9 lead.
Carter kicked two penalties and Mortlock one in the first 10 minutes of the second half, giving New Zealand an 18-12 lead until Woodcock plunged over in the right-hand quarter for the only try, and decisive act, of the match.
Otherwise, Aussie fullback Chris Latham's appearance off the bench in the 44th minute -- ending his eight-month absence from Test rugby after a knee reconstruction -- was the game's biggest talking point.
"We had a lot more ball and a lot more territory in the first half but didn't use it as much as we should," Mortlock said. "We came out in the second half and didn't have any territory at all. In big matches little things let you down and that was probably case tonight."
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