All Blacks skipper Sam Whitelock admits the Kiwis need to sort out their discipline if they wish to close out the Bledisloe Cup series at Eden Park this Saturday.
The hosts conceded 18 penalties throughout the eight-point win, which is double committed by their Trans-Tasman rivals.
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Whitelock believes their ill discipline allowed the Wallabies to get back into the game with three late tries, giving Dave Rennie's men a boost of confidence ahead of the second test at Eden Park.
“You want to look at some of the things we did really well but then the things we want to improve on. It’s no secret we gave away 18 penalties, that was something that allowed them to get in the game,” Whitelock told reporters on Monday.
“As we said after the game, in the first 15 and the last 15. That’s something we need to be better at, making sure that we are taking the ref out of it.
“Being clearly onside, making good clear, accurate decisions at the breakdown and go from there.”
With the Wallabies making it clear they were looking to pressure the All Blacks, Whitelock suggested their tactics threw them off as they attempted to rush the inexperienced Australian backline.
He believes they need to be better at taking the referee out of the game as they prepare for Saturday's clash, which doubles as the start of the Rugby Championship.
“It sounds really easy and simple but we get put under pressure in different ways. The boys had really good intent, we drove that last week about getting off the line and putting pressure on them and we didn’t get that right,” he said.
“That’s the beauty of test match rugby. You are put under pressure and this week we adjust to that pressure and make sure we take the ref out of it.
“Instead of going back 10-metres all the time, we can impose ourselves a bit more.”
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