Rugby Championship
Hansen laments McCaw's 'dumb' card
ESPN Staff
August 23, 2014
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Steve Hansen has lauded the almost flawless performance of the All Blacks as they humbled Australia in the Bledisloe Cup Test at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday, the coach's only minor complaint being the "dumb" yellow card collected by Richie McCaw.

New Zealand's Richie McCaw celebrates his first try, New Zealand v Australia, Rugby Championship, Eden Park, Auckland, August 23, 2014
Richie McCaw scored two tries to offset his yellow card © Getty Images
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The All Blacks scored six tries to two in retaining the cup for the 12th year in succession, and Hansen said "there was definitely a resolve to play well" after the disappointment of the 12-12 draw in Sydney the week previously.

"They played pretty well and you've got to be proud of that," Hansen said. "As a result we get to keep the old girl [Bledisloe Cup], so that's a great thing. I could tell we were always in the game, there was intensity in the defence and we were coming forward in that first 20 minutes."

Hansen, forever a perfectionist said the All Blacks "went to sleep for 10 minutes … we gave them a couple of soft tries, particularly the second one … that's something to work on."

McCaw described his yellow card as a "black mark" and said he was "just so proud of the boys".

"There was a steely resolve to go out there and perform, and the guys did that for 80 minutes today … we knew we could lock [the Bledisloe Cup] up for another year if we performed tonight."

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