Genia: 'We got touched up tonight'
New Zealand retained the Bledisloe Cup for the 10th-straight year, following a commanding 22-0 win over Australia at Auckland's Eden Park.
Down just 0-9 at half-time, the Wallabies did well to contain the All Blacks in the first half after contesting the final 10 minutes of the opening stanza with just 14 men on the pitch – after a yellow card to captain Will Genia for a ruck infringement.
However, a 13-point blitz in the first 10 minutes after the break saw the All Blacks end the game as a contest.
A visibly disappointed Wallaby captain, Will Genia, admitted they were not in the contest and the scoreline may well have flattered the visitors.
"We got touched up tonight," Genia said, adding: "We got taught lessons in many facets of the game."
Genia admitted that it was a bitter pill to swallow, having been held scoreless by the Kiwis for the first time in 50 years.
"We are very disappointed, but we have to give credit to this All Black side. They are a great team, they have achieved so much.
"The best thing about them is they are consistent and you know they will turn up week in and week out."
He said that at half-time, just 0-9 down, they thought they still had a chance.
"We didn't think we played any rugby, we thought we were still in it.
"We just wanted to start well in the second half and give ourselves an opportunity to play a bit.
"They got first points and they are the sort of side when they smell blood they will get better."
Asked where it all went wrong, Genia spoke about the basics.
"Just first-up tackles in defence … going in high, slipping off tackles and giving them momentum.
"There is no better team in the world that plays off front foot ball.
"We have to go back and address that.
"It is just doing the basics well, the simple things well – making those tackles and making them stick.
"We'll go away, work hard and come back against South Africa in Perth."
Unlike his captain, Wallaby coach Robbie Deans attempted to find some positives.
"I was proud of the way the boys hung in there, but the All Blacks are a powerhouse," Deans said, adding: "They are the benchmark."
Veteran hooker Stephen Moore also admitted the Aussies "just weren't good enough".
"We have to look at everything we do, top to bottom, if we want to beat the No.1 side," the hooker said.
"It's very disappointing standing here watching the [Bledisloe] Cup stay in New Zealand. It's shattering."
