Will Jordan competes for the ball with Tane Edmed.
Photo: Daniel Carson/Photosport NZ
All Blacks captain Scott Barrett admitted that Saturday night’s 28-14 win over the Wallabies in Perth “wasn’t pretty” as both sides struggled with both the wet conditions and a heavy penalty count.
“I think it’s pleasing the finish the Rugby Championship like that,” he said post-match at Optus Stadium.
“But yeah, we hung tough tonight in greasy conditions and adapted. I think throughout this Rugby Championship, we learned that we need to front up every week when we pull the black jersey on. A couple of times we clearly didn’t do that. Those are tough lessons and this group’s got a few scars from that.”
Barrett was referring to losses to the two losses suffered in the campaign that ultimately cost the All Blacks a chance of winning back the Rugby Championship. Although the win in Perth lifted them to the top of the table, it was only for a few hours before the Springboks’ victory over the Pumas at Twickenham handed the South Africans their second consecutive title.
Coach Scott Robertson praised his side’s “mental toughness”.
Quinn Tupaea celebrates a try.
Photo: Daniel Carson/Photosport NZ
“The grit that they showed to stay in the match, we would have probably in past games let teams back in. The bench that came on made a big difference.”
One of those was prop George Bower, who was rushed back into the squad as an injury replacement for Ethan de Groot and went over in the 80th minute to score his first try in his professional rugby career.
Meanwhile, referee Matthew Carley was probably just as puffed as the players at fulltime in Perth, having blown 28 penalties. However, Barrett had no complaints over the rulings and said the All Blacks needed to have figured the Englishman’s rulings out faster.
“I think we were probably a little bit too eager at times around the breakdown,” he said.
“Both teams want to put pressure on there, particularly that first 30 we were probably a little bit slow to adapt to a few of those decisions. But we were able to put some pressure on the breakdown and got the reward later in the game, got some good results.”
Peter Lakai.
Photo: Daniel Carson/Photosport NZ
Robertson said the team embraced the mental pressure of the occasion that saw the All Blacks up against a wave of emotion for a Wallaby team on a high and looking to send veteran James Slipper out on a win in his 151st and final test.
“You find a way, it’s never going to be perfect but we wanted to enjoy it and use it as part of our focus. Our mental strength is good and that showed tonight.”
Robertson was full of praise for one bold selection call that really paid off. Quinn Tupaea was handed a start at centre and responded with two tries, as well as playing a big hand in Leroy Carter’s opening try as well.
“I’m really pleased for him. He’s pretty robust, tough, physical and it was great to see him with his ball carry and he’ll be better for that test.”
Robertson probably can’t be faulted on his other selection talking points either, with Peter Lakai carrying the ball well and making 15 tackles, and Leicester Fainga’anuku was instrumental in some important defensive cover work on dangerous Wallaby fullback Max Jorgensen.
The All Blacks now break for a fortnight before regrouping in preparation for their Grand Slam tour, which will see them play Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales in consecutive weeks.
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