VIDEO: Hansen slams 'dumb' Wallabies
BLEDISLOE CUP REACTION: All Blacks coach Steve Hansen had little sympathy for Wallaby hooker Tolu Latu, who was sinned binned during their encounter match in Japan.
The Wallabies fell 20-38 to New Zealand in the third and final Bledisloe Cup Test of 2018, in an action-packed game in Yokohama, Japan.
Latu’s 66th-minute yellow made Australia’s task a difficult one and New Zealand was quick to capitalise thanks to an intercept try for winger Ben Smith.
Hansen was quizzed on the decision in the post-match press conference.
“You’re not allowed to strike someone in the face, so it was pretty dumb too wasn’t it,” said Hansen, when asked was the yellow card a harsh decision.
“You do dumb things and you get dumb reactions.
“The ref had no other option by the law, and if he hadn’t done, he’d have probably got tuned up by his bosses.
“He’s just done what the Law says he should do and given the guy ten minutes.”
The Wallabies trailed by just seven points at the main break, but a second-half clinic from the world’s number one side helped push the margin out by full-time.
Liam Squire, Kieran Read, Ben Smith and Rieko Ioane also touched down for the rampant All Blacks, who came into the Japan Test having won nine of the last 10 matches against their trans-Tasman rivals.
“I felt we were able to control the game,” said New Zealand skipper Read, whose side will be chasing a World Cup hat-trick in Japan next year.
“We showed some great patience with the ball and connected well together,” he added.
“The World Cup is a massive tournament and we have to come prepared next year – hopefully we can produce the same as we got in this match.”
