NEW ZEALAND DELIVERED a “masterclass” in defeating Australia 22-0 at Eden Park on Saturday, Wallabies coach Robbie Deans said, hailing the All Blacks unbeatable on the night.
It was the first time in 50 years the Wallabies have not scored a point against the All Blacks, dating back to a 3-0 defeat in Dunedin in 1962.
The All Blacks only scored one try — they topped up the scoreboard with five penalties by Dan Carter — but although the Wallabies defence was tenacious, Deans said there was no way they could have won.
He rated the 2012 All Blacks better than the side that won the World Cup 10 months ago.
“They gave a masterclass in rugby today and they’re a side playing with such confidence, they’re getting off-loads away, forwards are making little transfers and confidence builds belief, flow,” he said.
“To give credit to our group, I thought it was remarkable we only leaked one try.”
The All Blacks only led 9-0 at half-time but broke the game open with two penalties and a try to Israel Dagg in the first eight minutes of the second half.
All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw was not entirely happy with his side’s performance, saying they “blew some opportunities”.
But even with errors, Deans said New Zealand were unbeatable on the night.
“They’re a side that’s playing with the confidence of being world champions and I don’t think there’s any side in the world that would have footed it with them tonight,” he said.
“We got a great insight into what you’ve got to do to be able to foot it with the All Blacks. They’re a side that’s relentless, they’re fit, so well conditioned.
“It doesn’t matter which channel you go down, they’re at you and you’ve got to do it for 80 (minutes). They gave every side a blueprint, if you want to go toe to toe and ultimately succeed against them that’s what you’ve got to do.”
Wallabies fly-half Quade Cooper said it was difficult to criticise the Australian effort when compared to what they were up against.
“There wasn’t a player on the field wearing a black jersey that didn’t have probably the best game of their career so it was very tough to stick with them,” Cooper said.
“We stuck to our game plan. I don’t at all think we played bad. We were playing some good footie, we made some mistakes but they put us under a lot of pressure… what more can you do?”
