The Wallabies couldn't last the full 80 minutes against the All Blacks in Hong Kong. Photo / AP

The Wallabies couldn't last the full 80 minutes against the All Blacks in Hong Kong. Photo / AP

SYDNEY - The Wallabies' inability to defend a lead and criticism of the refereeing of Irishman Alan Lewis have dominated Australian media coverage of the Wallabies' loss to the All Blacks in Hong Kong.

For the second consecutive Bledisloe Cup test, the Australians were unable to defend a lead and were unable to register a point in the second half, going down 19-14 to New Zealand on Saturday.

Australian newspapers bemoaned the Wallabies' inability to kill off the All Blacks after beginning strongly.

"This was a very demoralising loss for the Wallabies. For the first half they played with aplomb and style, but fell away in the second half to allow the All Blacks to sneak away and finish the Cup series 3-1 victors," The Sun-Herald said.

"As in Brisbane, the Wallabies could not kill the All Blacks when they were starting to struggle."

Last September, Australia led New Zealand 17-7, but lost 28-24 and in Saturday's match they were ahead 14-6 after 25 minutes.

"But then once again they allowed the ever-dangerous New Zealanders too much leeway after the break, permitting them to score the two tries necessary for victory."

The travelling Australian rugby writers were particularly critical of Irishman Alan Lewis' refereeing performance, describing it as "dreadful" and "pedantic."

"Full credit to the New Zealand side for storming back with two second half tries to claim victory but the stark reality is that had Australia been given full reward for its total dominance of the first half, there would have been no epic escape for the Harry Houdinis of world rugby," The Sunday Telegraph said.

The newspaper said coach Robbie Deans diplomatically batted away questions about Lewis performance after the match.

"Privately, the Wallabies were seething. If there is one thing the All Blacks do not need, it is a helpful referee and it was beyond dispute Lewis looked for faults in the Australian game while seemingly turning a blind eye to New Zealand's foibles," it said.

The Sun-Herald joined in the criticism of the referee, saying, "Lewis missed forward passes, the most crucial in the 63rd minute when Richie McCaw scored, and penalised Australia out of the game.

"Not surprisingly, he (Lewis) was booed regularly during the game."

- AFP