Deans hails Wallaby brains

Australia coach Robbie Deans has praised his side's mental toughness after watching the Wallabies defeat New Zealand 34-19 at ANZ Stadium on Saturday.

Australia coach Robbie Deans has praised his side's mental toughness after seeing the Wallabies defeat New Zealand 34-19 at ANZ Stadium on Saturday.

It was the hosts' second-highest points tally ever against the All Blacks as they claimed the first win in the Bledisloe Cup series, which subsequently sent them to the Tri-Nations summit.

“It was a fast game and they were stretched and the All Blacks had a lot of possession there,” Deans told Fox Sports.

“We were forced to defend for long periods and, at times, it was tenuous but they hung in and they created a lot of turnover ball just through the intensity of their tackles, and they were able to build enough pressure.”

The Wallabies scores came through backs Ryan Cross and Peter Hynes in the first period, with impressive forwards Rocky Elsom and James Horwill adding in the second forty.

However, at one stage the All Blacks were ahead 19-17 and looked to have gained the ascendancy in Sydney.

But Deans' men, who were without captain Stirling Mortlock for the game, launched a dominant final quarter and cantered to victory.

“That was a good mental test but they got up and got on the front foot and finished strongly,” said the New Zealander.

“Obviously there's enough belief there for them to keep going.”

Australia fly-half Matt Giteau, who scored 14 points via the boot, said the Wallabies were always confident of winning despite being starved of possession.

“We always had belief, we just didn't have the ball,” Giteau said.

“Once we had the ball we were able to build points and build pressure.”