'We failed in Africa': All Blacks coach touches on Bok lessons after Eden Park win
REACTION: Coach Dave Rennie says New Zealand learned from their “failed” series against South Africa by unleashing a comprehensive 50-19 win over Australia on Saturday to extend their remarkable Eden Park record.
The All Blacks scored five of their seven tries in the second half to retain the Bledisloe Cup and are now 54 matches unbeaten at their Auckland fortress.
With the World Cup a year away, Rennie said his team had made strides since losing “Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry” series 3-1 to the world champion Springboks a month ago.
“We were confident in our ability; we failed in Africa,” Rennie said.
“There were a number of areas that needed to be better. We just lost key moments in Africa, and we won a lot of those tonight.
“We knew how important it was to get a result here and I thought there were a lot of big performers.”
Bledisloe Cup retained
The All Blacks will keep hold of the trophy contested annually between the two nations for a 24th straight year, regardless of the result of next week’s second Test in Sydney.
The Sydney match takes on extra significance because the teams will clash there in the World Cup.
All Blacks captain Codie Taylor said his side “brought a bit of edge” after the South Africa disappointment.
“We were hurting a little bit,” he said.
“But it’s awesome to come home, play in front of our fans, our people.
“We’ve missed it, and to get a result like that… hugely proud of the boys.”
Rennie said the return of former captain Scott Barrett for his first Test in nearly a year had injected much-needed physicality and leadership to his pack.
Wallabies skipper Harry Wilson said their display, especially after beating South Africa at home two weeks ago, was “a step back”.
“It’s disappointing. We came here tonight with real belief that we’d get the result, and we didn’t,” he said.
“At the start of the second half, we had an opportunity to get some points and really put some pressure on them, and we missed out there.
“And gee-whiz, when you give the All Blacks a bit of ball, it’s hard to get it back.”
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