Lineout failure fingered for Wallabies woe

Lock Adam Coleman says Australia's shocking lineout display handed the first Bledisloe Cup Test to New Zealand on a platter.

Liam Squire of NZ in a lineout with Michael Hooper of Australia

The Wallabies are determined to improve on their lineouts after their opening Bledisloe Cup loss. (AAP)

Australia's calamitous lineout display was at the heart of their second-half Sydney meltdown against the All Blacks, lock Adam Coleman says.

Of all the Wallabies' failings in their 38-13 opening Bledisloe Cup loss, their annihilation at lineout time was most glaring.

It left Coleman and his forward colleagues with their pride dented and a desire to get it right at Eden Park on Saturday.

Seven lost throws is nearly unheard of at Test level and the tough Melbourne Rebels second-rower said it handed victory to the world champions on a platter after Australia held sway in the first half-hour.

Coleman wouldn't go into details about the Wallabies' shortcomings but said it wasn't hard to assess the damage done by their faltering set piece as the Test unfolded.

"The boys weren't tired. We threw the ball away and gave up easy possession," he said.

"All of a sudden, we're on the back foot from there.

"From a set piece perspective, it was disappointing from us. We're reviewing that very, very hard."

Dynamic All Blacks lock Brodie Retallick and freshly minted centurion Sam Whitelock clearly won the battle of the second row, adding another layer of motivation for the ultra-competitive Coleman.

The 26-year-old is pleased they get a second crack at New Zealand in the space of a week, even if it's at a venue where they haven't won for 32 years.

"We let down people on our home turf and it hurts. And it's something that we're not proud of but I think it's a great opportunity to turn that around," he said.

"What a challenge to come to Eden Park and respond."

Coach Michael Cheika may consider personnel changes, with hard-working youngster Izack Rodda's locking berth more tenuous than Coleman's.

The experienced Rob Simmons could start, while towering lineout kingpin Rory Arnold has also crossed the Tasman but he's been largely out of favour for the last 18 months.

The Wallabies awoke to a damp first day at the Waiheke Island base, where they will spend four days preparing for the Test.


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Source: AAP



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