KEY POINTS:
The Kiwis reckoned centre Steve Matai should have been put on report for a high shot on opposite Mark Gasnier, rather than being sent off but the Aussies called it a deliberate and intentional foul with a well-deserved result.
The reduction of the Kiwis to 12 men, along
with a dislocated elbow that took wing Luke Covell from the game early and a bruised shoulder that forced fullback Krisnan Inu off late gave them no chance against the full-strength and in-form Australians.
"It was late and it was a cheap shot and it's in his game," said Kangaroos coach Ricky Stuart. "He knew where he was going."
Stuart said his team had spoken at length about the refereeing style of Englishman Steve Ganson and his propensity for dismissing players for illegal play.
Gasnier was knocked out from the 23rd minute when he was taken from the field. When he came to, "he thought he was in Melbourne".
Stuart said their preparation paid off in the record 58-0 win and he praised the way his side transferred training to the paddock. "It was very clinical."
Kiwis coach Gary Kemble and captain Roy Asotasi refused to comment on the tackle that led to the send-off but Kemble asked why Matai was not put on report.
"When was the last time someone was sent off in a test match?"
He had not prepared for that, he said, and it wrecked their substitution plans, hooker Dene Halatau sent to mid-field because he had played there for the Tigers and David Faiumu having to play extra time at dummy-half.
"To play Australia with 13 men is hard enough," Kemble said. Matai was seething about the send-off but said little.
Kemble said the players had all been told that if they did not perform in Wellington others would get opportunities on the Great Britain tour and selections would be a focus of a full-scale review of the defeat.
Covell is unlikely now to make the tour and Inu will be assessed today, with Junior Kiwi Shaun Kenny-Dowall a likely replacement if needed.
* Matai later apologised to Gasnier. In his report to the judiciary last night Ganson said he had penalised four high tackles and warned both captains before sending Matai off.
The judiciary banned Matai for two matches which will take him out of Manly's pre-season games.
