Humbled All Blacks face fortnight of discomfort after record defeat

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FILE PHOTO: Rugby Union - Rugby World Cup 2023 - Quarter Final - Ireland v New Zealand - Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France - October 14, 2023 New Zealands Scott Barrett during the warm up before the match REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier/File Photo

New Zealand captain Scott Barrett called on the All Blacks players to use the discomfort of their record 43-10 defeat to South Africa as fuel to regroup ahead of their next Rugby Championship clash against Australia at Eden Park.

A week after beating the Springboks 24-17 at Eden Park, the home side crashed to their worst-ever test loss on Saturday as the visitors piled on 36 unanswered points at Wellington Regional Stadium.

Lock Barrett, part of a forward pack that was well beaten on the night, said the sting of the defeat would not fade quickly over the two weeks before meeting the Wallabies.

There’ll be some real discomfort this week, he told reporters.

But I’m sure this team will use that to bounce forward. We’ve got the Bledisloe ahead and a chance to respond.

New Zealands final two tests of the Rugby Championship double as the Bledisloe Cup, the annual trans-Tasman series contested with Australia.

The Wallabies, who were beaten 28-26 by Argentina earlier on Saturday, lead the Rugby Championship with 11 points, one ahead of second-placed South Africa, the defending champions, and third-placed New Zealand.

Having beaten South Africa with a smart aerial game