Robbie Deans believes a lack of big-match experience was the decisive factor in the Wallabies' 19-18 loss to the All Blacks.

For the third consecutive trans-Tasman clash the Wallabies relinquished a half-time lead to hand the Kiwis the Bledisloe Cup for a seventh straight year.

The All Blacks trailed late in the clash but kept their composure as Dan Carter slotted a 78th-minute penalty goal to steal the lead, while the Australians failed to capitalise on a golden opportunity of their own after the siren.

"Dan Carter showed his class in the last 10 minutes, winning field position and obviously converting that into points," Deans said.

"They're masters of getting home and we're working hard at acquiring that art."

"We're making headway but we haven't acquired it yet, but I'm very confident we will."

Deans also pointed to the loss of second five-eighths Berrick Barnes with a neck injury at half-time as well as the early departure of fullback James O'Connor who was sent for X-rays on his lower-left leg after the match, as significant moments in the match.

"There was a fair amount of disruption tonight which didn't help us either, it affected our kicking game which wasn't good and skill execution let us down at times," he said.

"But this group's working hard and they're making headway - if you look at the three Tests our contact area's improving."

"You look at last year we were a distant second to be honest...in terms of our ability to defend and our ability to play 80 minutes."

"We're not far away but we're not there."

"If we continue to add to what we do we'll get there, and I suspect because of the amount of pain we're going through right now it'll be a habit we'll want to keep."

The Wallabies' cause also was not helped by Richard Brown's second sin-binning in as many matches immediately after half-time.

An unimpressed Deans said of his indiscretion: "Well I don't imagine his team-mates would have been very excited."

The coach also confirmed his decision to hook prop Al Baxter on the half-hour was a direct response to the veteran's struggles at scrum-time.

"Benny [replacement prop Ben Alexander] got into the game early because of a blood replacement and he was well settled and into his work," Deans explained.

"Al had a decision go against him as well so we thought he was obviously drawing some attention [so] get him off the ground now."

Meanwhile, Matt Giteau lamented his decision to run the ball rather than opt for a dropped goal after the siren.

"Initially we were looking to spread it wide, we thought we had numbers but I reckon in hindsight I probably should have just gone back in the pocket and gone for a field goal," Giteau said.

"But it wasn't until the pass was made that I actually thought of that."