Dane Coles: 'I didn't think I could score that try'

He is the hooker with the quickest feet in international rugby, but All Black Dane Coles doubted he could score the try which helped to break the Wallabies at Eden Park.

Australia probably had the better of the first quarter on Saturday and Coles' try after 22 minutes hurt the visitors.

With the score 3-3, Sam Whitelock's brilliant steal in his own 22m territory allowed the All Blacks to break out through Julian Savea, with Dan Carter sending Coles away from 40m out.

Left wing Adam Ashley-Cooper's untimely slip helped Coles, but he was concerned about the rapidly closing halfback Nic White and the fact he was so far from the line.

"I got to the 22m line and didn't think about passing and then I saw the halfback coming across," Coles said.

"Honestly, my legs started to buckle a bit and I thought to myself 'I'm going to have to dig deep here and just try to go hard'.

"We were under the pump a bit and got a turnover and we relieved a lot of pressure by scoring. It got us into the game."

Coles is making a habit of scoring spectacular tries - his score against the Springboks in Johannesburg was a beauty too - and the 28-year-old could lay claim to being the best No2 in the world.

He has always had an edge to his game in terms of attitude and some of that was necessary during the week after the failure in Sydney.

"Unfortunately it shouldn't take a loss or kick up the a***e to make that statement. It's something we have to do week in and week out if we want to be the best team."

First the All Blacks strangled the Wallabies with their defence and work at the breakdown and then they cut them open. It was clinical and necessary. "It's a good turnaround from last week. We know what we're capable of and obviously it's about consistency now. Whoever is in the team to go to the Rugby World Cup, we just need to carry on what we did here and keep building."

The All Blacks' response meant they can feel justified in looking at the future with positivity, but it also allowed them to look back on the careers of Carter, Richie McCaw, Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock, Conrad Smith and Ma'a Nonu - all men playing their final home test - with enormous satisfaction.

"They were getting a photo in the changing room and I looked over and thought, 'jeez, they're legends' and not only of New Zealand rugby, but world rugby. I feel honoured to have played a few games with them.

It's something I'll look back on and tell my grandkids about - playing with those legends of the game."

Radio Sport: Match highlights

Dan Carter - We responded

Radio Sport interview Dane Coles

Radio Sport interview Richie McCaw