"It wasn't good enough" - Robertson demands excellence in Wellington

With the pressure of retaining the Bledisloe Cup missing after their 31-28 win in Sydney's Lipovitan D Rugby Championship Test at the weekend, the All Blacks will reset to focus on their continued search for improvement in Wellington at the weekend.

Coach Scott Robertson said they would continue concentrating on where they need to improve. They need to perform and are keen to do that in a sold-out SKY Stadium.

When faced with two yellow cards, Robertson was happy and relieved with the result and the level of defence in the final stages.

The players found a way to win under that pressure.

"A big focus for us was our discipline, especially when you get on your line and defend for a long period. It's the one place we wanted to clean up. Against the Boks, it was one area they targeted us, and we needed to be cleaner.

"And it wasn't good enough, so we'll reassess it. It's a big focus for us."

At 21-0 up, the contest had the prospect of becoming a blowout, but a continuation of the inability to finish off opportunities created saw Australia fight back.

"When the score is like that, there's always a little bit of trepidation. You've got to keep going and get those final passes to stick. But they didn't and we got into a hell of a battle and found a way, well better than the last few weeks."

The All Blacks spent less time in the Australian 22m area in the second half of the game, but they were called back after a dazzling breakout, only for a forward pass to be called when halfback Cortez Ratima had scored. There were rip balls when hot on attack.

"Aside from that we did dig deep and hung on with two guys on the sideline. I was immensely proud of that effort by the boys out there with 13."

He was pleased with the efforts of flanker Wallace Sititi and halfback Cortez Ratima, especially having the courage to show their talent and skill on such a big stage so early in their careers.

"They step right up to the occasion in the big moments. It's great when you give a young guy, young players opportunities and they take them. The last three weeks both of them have been remarkable."

Robertson said they showed that no matter what Australian team they played, they didn't go away.

"They keep finding a way to turn up. We knew at some stage we were going to get into a fight like that, and you plan to go that deep. But they've got some great young talent and some spirit."

Captain Scott Barrett said the lack of finishing came down to execution.

"That's all it is. In those moments it's been steely to finish those opportunities because we're creating them and when we do have teams under the pump, that could be the difference between putting 20 points on them."

Ratima's disallowed try came off the back of a steely defence and showed what the team could do down the left flank.

"It's a game of inches. We're still going to keep challenging our skill sets and go to another level and get better."