Rieko Ioane has proclaimed the win over South Africa as the most gruelling Test of his young All Blacks career.
The winger praised the Springboks' performance and admits the game certainly lived up to the hype leading into the clash.
"They were saying it is one of the tougher Test matches, and for me, that was the toughest one I've ever played and one that I won't be forgetting," Ioane said.
While they came away with the win, the All Blacks were guilty of making errors, which Ioane attributes to the Boks defensive strategy and the game's frenetic pace.
"I think, after that first half though, the game would have been over - it was that long," Ioane said.
"They rushed up and brought a lot of line speed, and I think that put us under a bit of pressure, especially in that first half.
"Nothing was really sticking for us, a couple of passes were dropped. They just put us under huge defensive pressure with their line speed and I think that flowed on well for them.
"But it was good that the boys were able to grind it out and come away with the victory."
The 20-year-old was on hand to score his seventh try in only his eighth cap for the All Blacks, after he pounced on a South African mistake that Ioane put down to his teammates.
"We were on defence for a bit, the ball popped up and I had the easiest job, to just run it in and put the ball down," Ioane said. "I did my bit, credit was to the boys for their hard work on defence.
While Ioane played down his own efforts, he admitted the intensity of the match had him digging deep to make the white line.
"My lungs were blowing, my legs were gone and I was just hoping that I'd make it the full distance," Ioane said.
"These young legs managed to do it. I was just happy enough to get over the line, sucking a few big ones on the way back.
"Couldn't really tell you what I was thinking, I was just thinking run."
The ABs now have a week off and head back to New Zealand for some down time, before beginning their preparation for the third Bledisloe Test against the Wallabies in Brisbane on October 21.
For Ioane and the rest of the squad, recovery is their main focus, after a gruelling travelling schedule.
"A lot of the boys are ready to get home for a bit of r&r with their loved ones, family, friends," Ioane said.
"I just can't wait to get home to my partner and my puppy. It'll be a good week off, before we hit Brisbane."
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