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Rugby Championship: Australia are 'not broken' insists skipper Michael Hooper

Image: Michael Hooper: 'We need to improve'

Australia captain Michael Hooper insists his side are not a “broken entity” despite a crushing 51-20 defeat to the All Blacks.

The visitors to Auckland needed two late tries to soften a scoreline which stood at 41-6 with just a few minutes remaining - they have not won in New Zealand since 2001.

The Wallabies sit bottom of the Rugby Championship after two games, having drawn with the All Blacks 12-12 in Sydney in round one, and they face a tough encounter with top-side South Africa next.

But Hooper, who touched down late-on, said: ”We're not a broken entity. There's some good things there that we can take from the game.

“But there are some things that need serious improvement in these games. To learn how to win the big moments and capitalise on mistakes that the other team make for example - something the All Blacks are very good at.”

Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie, whose side play in Perth on September 6, said: "We can't sit here and pretend anything other than we didn't perform.

“We'd come off a bunch of wins so this is a really disappointing loss for us. They played well, no question, but I know we're better than that and that's why it was a frustrating night.”

Two tries from All Blacks captain Richie McCaw were added to by Julian Savea, Kieran Read, Steven Luatua and a penalty try, while fly-half Aaron Cruden kicked 19 points.

Israel Folau hit back first for the Aussies before Hooper went over but it was too little, too late.

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