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'We've got to be smarter than that'

By Online Editors
Ardie Savea (Photo/Gettys Images)

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen says Ardie Savea was guilty of “dumb footy” after the flanker gave away a needless penalty in Saturday’s shock 47-26 loss to the Wallabies.

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Hansen was highly critical of his team’s overall lack of discipline, but it was Savea’s brain fade late in the first half that was the hardest to swallow.

Savea maliciously shoved Michael Hooper in the back of the head moments after tackling the Wallabies skipper to the ground.

Hooper reacted angrily, and the referee awarded a penalty to the Wallabies after watching a replay of the incident.

“It’s dumb. It’s dumb footy. We’ve got to be smarter than that,” Hansen said.

“It hurts everyone. Our change room there is very disappointed because of how we performed, and that’s how it should be.”

Savea’s ill-discipline was symptomatic of the All Blacks’ night.

Lock Scott Barrett is facing suspension after being red-carded for his shoulder charge on Hooper.

And the All Blacks had just 22 per cent possession in the first half after conceding six penalties.

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“Our discipline was poor,” Hansen said.

“We double piggybacked into the red card, and there were numerous occasions when we got offside when we didn’t need to.

“So they’re all things we’ve got to fix up and look at ourselves.”

Hansen didn’t get drawn into the merits of the red card, with Barrett now having to face the judiciary to find out his fate.

He could be suspended for around six weeks over the incident, in which he charged in shoulder first into Hooper’s head.

The All Blacks are also sweating on the availability of Jack Goodhue after the centre suffered a hamstring injury early in the match.

– AAP

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