All Blacks coach Steve Hansen continued to rub salt into deep Wallaby wounds after Saturday night’s six-try Bledisloe Cup destruction.
Hansen claimed Australia were shellshocked by his side’s first-half intensity and aggression that laid the platform for a record-breaking 51-20 rout.
After failing to fire a shot in last week’s 12-12 draw in Sydney, the All Blacks were most pleased their under-fire pack blew the rattled Wallabies away early.
“Our defence set the tone and we made some big tackles and it was more than what Australia expected and they got a bit yippee there for a wee bit,” Hansen said.
“In the first 20 minutes, they dropped more ball than they did in the whole 80 last week.
“That was just a sign they weren’t expecting the intensity that they got.
“Not saying that they can’t cope with it, but it’s a mental thing. You go in and, for the week before, they didn’t get it so why would they expect it this week.”
Upset Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie insisted his players expected a Kiwi backlash at Eden Park but admitted they were “passive” from the outset.
“There was no surprises but you have to deal with it,” McKenzie said. “We heard all about it and we expected it but you have to respond to it.”
By the 30-minute mark, New Zealand led 23-6 after easily absorbing 10 minutes of limited pressure when skipper Richie McCaw was in the sin-bin.
They immediately made the Wallabies pay when he returned and lock Rob Simmons received his own yellow card.
“It was a disappointing we didn’t fire a shot,” McKenzie said.
“I know we’re a much better team than that.”
Added to the post-match pain, the Wallaby hookers’ curse continued with Nathan Charles to be sidelined with a pectoral injury.
Charles was replaced in the first half, meaning fourth-string hooker James Hanson played out the game and could start against South Africa in Perth on September 6 if Tatafu Polota-Nau fails to recover from his knee injury.
Ben.S
Roar Guru
Mick referred to 2012 and 2013. Hansen took over a side with a hugely experienced core, and the spine of that WC side has been maintained.
Jerry
Guest
Even then though, he didn't have Woodcock, Carter or Nonu on Saturday (that's about 300 caps missing) and Mealamu is a bench player these days.
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
I've been yellow carded for cheating!
Ben.S
Roar Guru
Those statistics are rather shalllow. They conveniently ignore the amount of caps that he inherited.
Starchild
Guest
I'm sure I could lip read retallic saying "kick it this way please" and Australia just went with it.
eagleJack
Guest
Nobody is question his coaching ability. He is a talented guy. I just think getting involved in rumour and innuendo, and chirping to the media, is childish and not befitting of a guy holding arguably the most prestigious role in NZ. He should just let his coaching and his talented team do the talking.
Tinfoil Hat
Guest
Yeah. You are right. It is all down to luck.
Michael from NZ
Guest
that's a cracker!
Firstxv
Guest
I think he deserves a lot of credit as a coach who knows his side. He said he knew why things werent right last week and the side went about fixing that this week. he said his side could lift another 10-12 notches...now..I don't know what exactly a 'notch' is but 10-12 seems like a lot of them, especially when he could have said 3 or 4. Yet 10 or 12 seems to be what we got. He also said he wasn't sure whether Oz could lift their game anymore...and he was about right there too. And his initial theory about beale doesnt seem wide of the mark. It remains, oddly, the main talking point of the Oz selections. So those saying Hansen is just an inheritor of a good side probably need to think again. Hansen knows his stuff alright, whether you like him or not.
Mike
Guest
The passive performance Ewen should be looking at is his own.
Nzruggaz
Guest
At least when the ABs lose he doesn't make excuses it's been a while i can't remember what he said
Nzruggaz
Guest
He helped build this team don't forget
Clark
Guest
Hansen can say whatever he likes, he has earns every right to.
Nzruggaz
Guest
He's a master ole Shag
kesmcc
Roar Pro
am i the only one who keeps seeing hooper come around the side of the ruck and stick his leg right next to the ball and get away with it?? trying to block A. smith going that way or just trying to put him off, either way he is illegal. so much always being said about mccaw being offside while they sing hoopers praises. A 7's role is to push the limits of the law, i just wish everyone could see it from both sides.
Nzruggaz
Guest
Hahaha yeah aye go the mighty world champion All Blacks
kesmcc
Roar Pro
good call jeff. if simmons wasn't in the bin slipper or white would definitely gone. i would have said white. at first when roman blew it up i thought it was because he had grabbed read for a second when the ball was still in. he also got a final warning. in my opinion, mckenzie needs to bite the bullet and start phipps and foley. the white/beale combo really isnt working.
Poor winner
Guest
Not gracious at winning or losing from my experience Johnno. The rugby world owes them a debt apparently. Great team, poor supporters. Love to see them booing a goal kicker. Such class. Can't be helped i suppose.
eagleJack
Guest
The Kiwis should. Unless they are betting on us!
Dave
Guest
Someones gotta do the work for you