Wallabies coach Eddie Jones believes the team let a golden opportunity to claim a famous Bledisloe victory slip away.
The Wallabies started on fire as they raced out to a 17-3 lead at half-time in search of their first win in NZ over the All Blacks in over 20 years.
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In the end, the class of the hosts shone through as departing All Black Richie Mo'unga kicked the winning penalty with two minutes to go.
“It’s no good, it’s a bad feeling,” Jones said to Stan Sport after the game. “We should’ve won that game.
"We did enough to win that game but we didn’t have the capacity to do the simple things right.
“We obviously got in trouble in the scrum that cost us a few penalties, a few roll-aways and then our support play dropped off.
“It’s all things we’re responsible for and that’s what (is) disappointing. We played with such intent and focus in the first half and the second half we couldn’t.”
The attacking breakdown proved to be the difference in the contest.
The Wallabies were rapid in the opening ten minutes thanks to the consistent quick ball, allowing Tate McDermott and Carter Gordon to dictate the pace.
When the two teams returned from the sheds, it was the hosts that gained ascendancy as they isolated the Australian ball runners on countless occasions for the pilfer penalties.
Jones believes the performance was still a major step in the 'right direction' as the focus turns to the World Cup.
“It’s always about hard work and being focused on the right things. We’re definitely focused on the right things, we just can’t do it for long enough," Jones added.
“It’s just the consistency in the message, the work we’ve got to do. We have a really good group of young players that really want to take them forward.
“Today was an opportunity to be a new hero for Australian Rugby. We didn’t quite make it but they’re taking steps in the right direction."
Jones confirmed after the match hooker Dave Porecki (shoulder) and Samu Kerevi (hand) are dealing with knocks whilst Jordan Uelese's late withdrawal was down to a re-aggravation of an existing ACL injury.
The Wallabies will name their World Cup squad on Thursday in the Northern Territory.
