Scott Robertson applauds emerging All Blacks talent

Robertson said, "We're really pleased and proud and the key thing is the young guys that have come in and played their first Test matches. They've stood up to Test level quickly."

More players would be given a chance in their next Test against Japan at the start of their northern tour.

Robertson said that in the Wellington win, their first since 2018 in the Capital, there was some great defence, and scoring five tries against Australia's one after the visitors started so well was pleasing.

"They had some opportunities, got into our 22, and we defended stoutly.

"The goal line defence was Test standard, and we took opportunities. We only got one try pulled back this time. I'm pleased in a lot of aspects.

"We've had a great three or four weeks of training. To put it on the field is important for all of us, and pleasing, but we've got a lot more in us."

Robertson said he was pleased with Will Jordan's performance at fullback, his ability to use his feet to create chances, and he took his opportunities.

Beauden Barrett, in his first start for the season, at first five-eighths, got to the line, dug in, turned a few defenders, helped the All Blacks get front foot ball, and conducted himself well.

Wallace Sititi made another big impression in his third Test. 

"You've got to get to know him to understand the sort of value he brings. He's a man of faith and believes in himself. More importantly, he trusts his skillset and is really humble. But he's tough and he can play."

What position he will play in the future is still unclear. It had suited the management to play him at blindside flank in the Championship. But it was common for modern-day loosies to play open or blindside flank, and No8.

That meant they could mix and match to cover opponents, and many teams did it.

"You can see he's comfortable with six [blindside] but naturally he is probably a No8."

Robertson was also pleased with the development of players given chances due to injuries. He cited Pasilio Tosi as an example after Fraser Newell was injured in South Africa. 

"He got his shot, and like others, they have taken it.

"They worked so hard in the background and I'm really pleased for him [Tosi] because he was a bit of an outsider that came in an delivered."

Robertson wasn't surprised with how coach Joe Schmidt prepared Australia for the game.

"We thought we were going to play, but they played straight from the kick-off. They got that early try and kept the pressure on us.

"Joe's smart, he's been around and has got a lot of plays. We were in the 22 for a long time. I thought [before the game], we've got to be on and we were fortunately. It was a good battle."

The lesson from his first Rugby Championship was how big momentum swings could happen, whether from a referee's call, the All Blacks' call or game management.

"And in those moments, you've got to get it right. Otherwise, the momentum swings too much. One focus that we spend a lot of time on is our discipline, and that's still the area we have to get better at. We put too much pressure on ourselves off the back of it.

"We're going to address it, especially when we go north."

Captain Scott Barrett said the side was trending up and learning.

"Possibly, it is not as quick as we would like, but the team's coming together and making adjustments.

"When we've let in tries, it has been frustrating, but tonight, we showed plenty of grit there on the line. We set a standard for what's required, particularly on defence and heading north.

"They'll challenge us in different areas, probably similar to South Africa, with their home crowds, so there'll be a lot of lessons to take forward into a tour and we'll get excited by that."