Eurosport - Sat, 19 Sep 14:45:00 2009
A visibly angry Robbie Deans was disappointed his young Australia side "capitulated" in the last few minutes of the 33-6 Tri-Nations defeat by New Zealand.
The All Blacks ground down the Wallabies in the second half, with Ma'a Nonu and Joe Rokocoko scoring tries in the last five minutes to seal the home team's superiority.
Coach Deans said he was frustrated at the way the Wallabies stretched their lead at the end.
"When the game went out of our reach we departed the contest," he said. "After the All Blacks scored we rolled over."
Fly-half Daniel Carter also kicked 18 points for New Zealand and Cory Jane bagged his first international try.
Deans said the defeat was a lesson for Australia after they had beaten South Africa 21-6 in Brisbane two weeks ago.
"We have had both extremes of the spectrum with this group," he said. "They played well two weeks ago and they possibly got a bit ahead of themselves.
"The margins are small in test rugby. You have to earn your stripes in every outing.
"I think the breakdowns were evidence of that ... there was a lack of volunteers, not enough frames (bodies) going into that area."
All Blacks coach Graham Henry praised his side's performance but said they would also need to learn lessons from the Tri-Nations, particularly about how to counteract South Africa's pressure-based style of play.
South Africa won the title last week with a 32-29 victory over New Zealand, courtesy of a game plan that turns the opposition around with a pinpoint kicking game and accumulates points by applying pressure inside their attacking half.
"The South Africans are a good side. They don't play a lot of rugby and they put pressure on you," Henry said.
"No disrespect to the South Africans, they are the best in the world. But when two sides are trying to play rugby it is a much better spectacle," he added of Saturday's match when both sides were willing to use the ball in hand more.
"We weren't under the same sort of pressures (in Wellington) ... it's a different game and different opposition and at the moment we are struggling to handle that South African pressure."
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Ok so the Aussies lost this one to the All Blacks. S A were to strong, NZ I think lack just a bit of direction and more hard team choices to make them click, and Aus lack a bit of confidence. Aus will get better, they always do, a hurt pride is a good motivator and they hurt believe me. Well played to all 3 for a good tri Nations some one had to lose and win, but for the paying public and those of us who watched once again the Southern Hemisphere teams showed what rugby is all about. Congrats SA better luck next time NZ Aus, and remember it's only a game...( if you believe that LOL)
An England Supporter
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