Tim Sheens, Cameron Smith concede Australia deserved New Zealand defeat

Australia went ahead twice in the first half but were pegged back both times, before the Kiwis took control in the second half to run in a further three tries without conceding a point.

Half-back Shaun Johnson was brilliant in orchestrating New Zealand's attack, though he was able to operate so effectively thanks to a powerhouse display from his forward pack.

The Kangaroos lost both Daly Cherry-Evans (glute) and Greg Inglis (virus) at half time, but Sheens refused to use that as the sole excuse, saying his team were outplayed on the night.

"They obviously worked us over," Sheens said.
"Possession went against us, a lot of it our own fault, and once that happened and we were down to 15 so that didn't make life any easier.

"We were comprehensively beaten on the ground, in offence and defence.

"First game for a few of the guys in a few weeks, and you need to go set to set in Test match footy, and we didn't."

Skipper Cameron Smith, who had never before lost a Test against New Zealand as captain, was also full of praise for the victors, while lamenting his own side's sloppy display.

"We turned a lot of possession over to them, and you just can't do that against the Kiwis, they're a big side and a powerful side; they did a really good job of getting momentum through the middle of our team tonight," he said.

"I don't know what it was, we were lacking a bit of intensity to get into the tackle tonight, they did a good job."

The Queensland and Australian captain said the debutants in the Kangaroos team would have learnt a great deal from their first Test experience.

"Hopefully they're better for the run now," he said.

"They understand what Test football is all about.
"You just can't give an inch at this level, and we gave a mile tonight.

"To the credit of the Kiwis, they were very good.
"They took advantage of all the errors we made, they played up-tempo, their skill was pretty good for their first hit-out.

"So we need to be a lot better next week."