Bledisloe Cup 2015: Five things we learned from the Wallabies defeat to All Blacks

DAN Carter’s still got it, David Pocock and Michael Hooper must start and three more things we learned from the Wallabies crushing defeat in Auckland.

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - AUGUST 15: David Pocock of the Wallabies talks to team mates during The Rugby Championship, Bledisloe Cup match between the New Zealand All Blacks and the Australian Wallabies at Eden Park on August 15, 2015 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Five things we learned from the Wallabies defeat to the All Blacks ...

David Pocock and Michael Hooper must start

Without the back-row scroungers Australia cannot win enough contested ball to trouble the world’s best teams. By the time they were harnessed together the All Blacks already had the upper hand.

Dan Carter’s still got it

With Aaron Cruden, Beauden Barrett, Colin Slade and Lima Sopoaga breathing down his neck, Carter faced questions over whether he was still the man to steer the All Blacks backline. The champion responded, booting seven-from-eight and reviving his running game.

Dan Carter proved yet again that class is permanent.

MATCH REPORT: Wallabies roadkill at Eden Park

COOPER BLOOPER: watch as fly-half mistake costs Wallabies

HALF BAKED: which duo is going to stand up when it counts?

PICK AND STICK?: Cheika doesn’t regret controversial selections

Quade Cooper in suspense

It’s hard enough being Quade Cooper at the best of times, let alone when your teammates leave you hanging. The forwards missed tackles, and lost most of the collisions, leaving the Australian with too much backfoot ball to stake a permanent claim for the No. 10 jersey.

Wrong target

Forget Cooper, the All Blacks targeted one of the Wallabies’ strongest links, captain Stephen Moore. At every opportunity they engaged, challenged and roughed-up the Australian hooker who finished the game looking like he had gone 10 rounds in a boxing ring.

The Will Skelton experiment must be mothballed (again)

Four Tests into his second coming, the giant lock is yet to make an impact. His running game has not yet materialised and, with Rob Simmons still to return, Skelton must make way.

Originally published as Bledisloe Cup 2015: Five things we learned from the Wallabies defeat to All Blacks