New Zealand and Australia opened their European tours with hard-fought wins over Wales and England on Saturday. Wales held New Zealand 6-6 at halftime before a second-half try by Andrew Hore and two more penalties by Dan Carter gave the All Blacks a 19-9 victory, while England led Australia 9-5 at the break but conceded 13 unanswered points to lose 18-9. Australia sorted out early indiscipline that threatened to hand victory to England and the returning Jonny Wilkinson but New Zealand could have thrown away victory at the end. Wales lock Alun-Wyn Jones intercepted a loose pass by New Zealand's Jimmy Cowan and raced into space but the second-row didn't have the speed to make it to the line and the move broke down. 'I was pretty nervous and absolutely shattered,' Carter said. 'Credit to the Welsh guys, too, but we're very thankful of coming away with the win. 'It's been a very challenging year for us, a couple of losses, but we want to put our name back on the world stage so to have a big win tonight is very satisfying.' Wales started the game well, supported by a sellout crowd at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium, but wasted a chance to take an early lead when Leigh Halfpenny missed a penalty. Carter and Wales' Stephen Jones each kicked two penalties in a fast-paced first half. The All Blacks scored its try in the 55th minute when Hore powered over the line after some quick rucking. Carter converted and added another penalty in the 64th. Wales rallied late with two more penalties from Jones but still has not beaten New Zealand in 21 games since 1953. 'We are frustrated,' Jones said. 'We had some opportunities, particularly at the end, but to be fair to New Zealand they are clinical, they recycle the ball very well and that put us under a lot of pressure. 'We made a few errors and that allowed them to get on the front foot.' Both England and Australia head into their matches next week against Argentina and Ireland with high hopes after Will Genia and Adam Ashley-Cooper touched down at Twickenham to give the Wallabies victory by two tries to none. The Wallabies were able to resolve the sort of discipline problems that England exhibited 12 months ago, while England led a more experienced side 9-5 at halftime and have Wilkinson back in the sort of form he showed before shoulder surgery, knee damage, appendix removal, hernia operation, a lacerated kidney and other injuries interrupted his progress. 'I've said to the guys, we were playing a pretty battle-hardened team coming straight out of the All Blacks game and a Tri-Nations series and that probably showed,' England team manager Martin Johnson said. 'That's the first game that team has really played together and we'll be better for having it when we play next week. 'But that doesn't excuse some of the things that happened. We'll improve for next week and the week after as well.' England invited pressure on its own line as its attacking play became hesitant and obvious following Genia's first-half try, with only the absence of center Stirling Mortlock and the penalty count stopping Australia from taking further advantage. England dominated the lineout and opened up the hard-tackling Aussies when its backs got quick ball, but it didn't happen enough and the visitors were never seriously threatened after Wilkinson kicked England 9-5 ahead in the 26th minute. 'The blokes came out today and showed their composure,' Australia coach Robbie Deans said. 'With trust and patience, they got their reward and that's a habit we've got to keep.' Wilkinson started an international for the first time in 18 months and roused the crowd with a third-minute drop goal and then a penalty awarded when wing Peter Hynes lifted Ugo Monye off the ground in the tackle. But wing Matt Banahan stepped into touch while arguing that a kick by Australia had already bounced out, giving the tourists a platform from which to attack inside the 22. They switched play to the left and, after concerted pressure, scrumhalf Genia darted off the back of a maul to reach out and touch down. Matt Giteau missed the conversion and Wilkinson struck again but Australia camped in England's half for the first 10 minutes of the second half and Giteau kicked Australia into an 11-9 lead. Fullback Ashley-Cooper put the gloss on the performance 10 minute from the end when he held off Cueto, Monye and Ayoola Erinle to crash over in the corner. 