Incoming Wallabies coach backs AUNZ concept despite hammering
REACTION: Incoming Wallabies coach Les Kiss says the concept of a combined Australia-New Zealand team should continue despite their 0-48 hammering by the British and Irish Lions.
The rugby powerhouses came together for the first time since 1989 to face the might of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales at Adelaide on Saturday.
But despite the match being billed as an unofficial fourth Test, it fizzled with the tourists utterly dominant against a squad that boasted 17 internationals.
Kiss, who coached the side, said part of the problem was their lack of preparation, with barely a week together in the build-up not sufficient to fine-tune their combinations.
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“Of course, the scoreline can tell one story, but there are other stories within it that are important to recognise as well,” he told reporters.
“I think I’d have the complete backing of the guys here that that concept should be something that we continue to work on and make it work whenever we can.
“I think that the quality of people that you have in the team and three or four weeks to build, I do not doubt that some of the things that probably caught us this week would not have caught us.”
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Their lack of cohesiveness was immediately evident when they were caught napping by a quick Lions’ line-out throw that led to a sixth-minute try.
Further defensive lapses saw them concede two more tries to trail 0-17 after 20 minutes and there was no way back as the Lions hit their stride.
Despite the trouncing, co-captain David Havili also endorsed the concept continuing, with the 30-cap All Blacks centre saying it was a rewarding experience.
“I love the way the Aussie and Kiwi boys gelled and whilst we didn’t get the performance, we can be proud of what we did this week as Australia and New Zealand,” he said.
“Whenever the Lions come back to New Zealand, hopefully we can get the same concept and the Aussie boys can come over to New Zealand and do the same thing because it’s great to be able to get teams like this off the ground.
“It’s just been a great, enjoyable week and really refreshing for myself.”
