The key facts

  • Australia lost to New Zealand 21:43 in Sydney after 19:50 in Auckland
  • Kiss: 'unacceptable', six tries conceded in the first half
  • The team is preparing for the Nations Championship in Europe and the home 2027 World Cup

Rout in Sydney

Australia's rugby team suffered a heavy defeat by New Zealand, 21:43, in a match played on Saturday in Sydney. It came a week after the 19:50 rout in Auckland. Wallabies head coach Les Kiss, who took charge of the team in July, called the performance 'unacceptable' but noted that there is still time to improve before the home World Cup.

A failed first half

The Australians conceded three tries in the first 20 minutes and six in the first half. 'Look, it's unacceptable, 22 points like that, and you find yourself playing catch-up, and the guys know it,' Kiss said on Stan Sport. 'It's simply not acceptable. It can't be like that. We've had two bad halves in the last two weeks, and it hits you.' The All Blacks tore apart the Australian defence, largely erasing the progress made since Kiss's arrival. Before the meeting with New Zealand he had five wins and one draw in his first six test matches.

Squad losses and lessons

Australia could not call on a number of key players, including fly-halves Carter Gordon and Ben Donaldson, as well as the influential centre Len Ikitau, but, according to AFP, the defeat was still a sobering lesson a year before the World Cup. 'You know, a lot of young guys with single test caps certainly learned a lot today,' Kiss said. According to him, the team could have scored three tries but 'lacked the diligence to finish it off'.

Europe ahead and squad selection

Australia now travels to Europe for the Nations Championship; Kiss will announce the squad next week. Veterans including James Slipper, Kurtley Beale, James O'Connor and Bernard Foley are in contention for a return to the national team, but whether the coach will pick them is unknown. 'I am still optimistic. There are guys who aren't here — by choice, experienced guys,' Kiss said. 'I need to make decisions. I need to look a bit to the future, but also win the upcoming tests.'