KEY POINTS:
The All Blacks have accused the Wallabies of spying on their training sessions leading into their test triumph, aided by Channel Seven.
The dual series victors kept their claims under wraps until after the turbulent 28-24 victory in Brisbane.
Assistant coach Steve Hansen fingered several training sessions last
week for the antics, practices where the All Blacks had employed extra security to repel unwanted intruders. However, the tourists believe host broadcaster Channel Seven used its time at the sessions to then deliver footage to their opponents.
That claim will add some venom to the dead-rubber final test in Hong Kong between the two nations at the start of November.
"It is a fact which is really disappointing," Hansen said about the surveillance. "Disappointing from the TV's point of view, I think - Channel Seven it was, filmed I know of definitely one session and then gave it to Australia. And then [it is ] disappointing that the Australians actually used it.
"We know they did [use it] because they told us. One of their personnel told us after the game."
The Wallabies issued a short statement last night which categorically denied organising any subversive filming of the All Black trainings or using any spy footage in their buildup to Brisbane. "The accusations are completely without foundation, we did not receive anything from Channel Seven," an ARU spokesman said.
However, Hansen was adamant there had been some espionage.
"It is hard enough to win games without the opposition knowing what you are going to do before you do it," he added.
"I suppose the disappointing thing is that the next time we are here it is going to be difficult for people to watch us train. We know it's happened before."
There had been other incidents round the world during his time with the All Blacks.
Hansen was sure the Australian camp and their officials would get the message, it was pointless to take any gripes to the International Rugby Board.
The All Blacks have a month off now, several weeks enforced rest for most of the squad, before they return to training and some national championship action in the build up to the Hong Kong test then another Grand Slam attempt.
A number may bypass the provincial competition though they will be in action when the national squad regroups.
Hansen said players such as No 8 Rodney So'oialo needed a long rest to overcome a raft of niggles while those who had little recent matchplay would benefit from provincial play.
Prop Tony Woodcock would need time to recover from having his top lip split then stitched, while Ma'a Nonu was battling a damaged knee but there were no great structural injuries.
Five-eighths Daniel Carter will travel during his layoff to meet his future Perpignon clubmates and to suss out the area which will be his home for six months once the All Blacks end-of-year tour is complete.
It was likely that 65-test veteran tighthead prop Greg Somerville would be released early from his contract to join his new Gloucester club as long as there were enough props to cover his duties on the end-of-year tour.
In his synopsis of the test, Hansen said he thought the Wallabies had too many overlaps because the All Blacks had overcommitted their numbers at the ruck but after the break the All Blacks had got the mix right between fanning out in defence and counterattacking strongly at the breakdowns.
"I thought we were a bit naive in the first half and exposed ourselves quite a bit," he said.
There was not a great deal between the Tri-Nations sides, and he hoped that would always be the case to continue the strong competition.
The Wallabies were clearly working hard under Deans to be a successful unit, they were very similar to New Zealanders, and they were responding.
