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'That's not the reason why we lost' - Steve Hansen backs Beauden Barrett, says All Blacks defence not up to scratch against Springboks

September 15, 2018

Barrett converted only two conversions from six in tonight's 36-34 loss to the Springboks.

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen was quick to defend his first-five Beauden Barrett, saying his goal-kicking wasn't perfect but it was his side's defence that let them down against the Springboks.

The Springboks secured their first win on New Zealand soil since 2009 with a 36-34 win over the All Blacks in Wellington tonight.

Barrett had a horror night with the boot only converting two out of six shots at goal in his side's Rugby Championship match.

"We could sit here and turnaround and say we could have kicked a couple of goals and won the game," Hansen said at a post-match press conference.

"That's not why we lost the game, we lost the game because we allowed South Africa to score 36-points and that is something that we can control as a team."

The All Blacks coach said his side didn’t execute under presser and the visitors deserved their 36-34 win in Wellington.

The All Blacks coach said his side just weren't good enough on defence against the plucky Springboks.

"It's a team game and in this case I know that Beauden is feeling it and he'll be disappointed but he'll (Barrett) maybe come out next week and kick 100 per cent," he said.

"That's the way goalkicking is you can't carry that bag of coal around on your back all the time because it will kill ya.

"So whilst it would have been nice it just didn't happen tonight.

"As Foz (All Blacks assistant coach Ian Foster) said it hit the post twice, it doesn't get much closer than that."

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