By Matt Burrows
All Blacks captain Richie McCaw and coach Steve Hansen were despondent at the press conference that followed their disappointing 27-19 loss to Australia.
The defeat moved the Wallabies within one victory of reclaiming the Bledisloe Cup, after a drought that has seen the All Blacks hold the trophy for 13 years.
McCaw said while he's relieved they'll get another crack at righting their wrongs in next week's Test at Eden Park, the performance was "inexcusable".
"We wanted to start well, and to [make so many errors] puts you under the hammer straight away," he said.
"I think we need to make sure in a week we turn that around – and we're going to have to."
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen took the chance to congratulate Australia, who he said "played particularly well".
"They thoroughly deserved the win and the [Rugby] Championship," he said.
"They outmuscled us I thought at scrum time; they won the battle over the ball and under the body at the breakdown."
But Hansen stressed there were some good aspects of the All Blacks' game – with the debut of Nehe Milner-Skudder the most notable.
The young Hurricanes winger scored two tries, the second to take the lead with only quarter of an hour remaining, but it wasn't enough as Australia crossed for another try just minutes later.
Milner-Skudder said despite his stunning debut, he was gutted not to have beaten the Wallabies.
"I'd trade the two tries in for a win, so [there's] mixed emotions - but it would have been good to get a win."
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