'It's too tough': Bledisloe misery extends for Wallabies, Joe Schmidt in no mood to celebrate close second

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt was in no mood to paper over the cracks after watching the All Blacks parade around Accor Stadium with the Bledisloe Cup on Saturday.

Schmidt was part of the New Zealand celebrations last year as the massive trophy was locked away at the MCG and he knew it would take a herculean effort to keep the series alive heading to Wellington.

Yet his Wallabies almost did just that in Sydney in James Slipper's record breaking 140th Test - clawing back from an early All Blacks onslaught in which they led 21-0 after just 15 minutes.

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But the Kiwis were reduced to 13 men as their final quarter speed wobbles returned and Tom Wright's 79th minute try set the stage for a cliffhanger finish.

But Hunter Paisami was then held up by TJ Perenara and Ardie Savea as referee Karl Dickson awarded the All Blacks a decisive scrum feed.

Schmidt was asked about the legality of the height of the joint choke tackle.

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"Other people will make those decisions and we'll have a look at the footage for sure," he said.

"I haven't chatted to Hunter."

The Wallabies - who had lost their previous match 67-27 against Argentina - again looked in disarray after those first 15 minutes.

An eventual 31-28 loss to last year's Rugby World Cup runners-up is undoubtedly progress but was Schmidt's glass half empty or half full?

"There's not a lot of water in the glass," he quipped.

"You know, you lose a Test match, there's things that we've got to learn from, we can't finish a close second.

"There are some things to be proud about, building our way back into the game but giving a New Zealand side a start like that - it's too tough to overcome that, albeit it almost did happen at the finish."

Schmidt was also pragmatic enough to acknowledge that the All Blacks bombed multiple try scoring chances that kept them in the contest.

"The reality is they maybe could have got more of a margin on the scoreboard if they finished a couple of opportunities. So we've got to be realistic about that."

Australia were a much better side with the return from injury of five key players: Wright, Paisami, Fraser McReight, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and Noah Lolesio.

McReight was the best on ground in gold while his great mate Harry Wilson wasn't far behind and is growing into the captain's armband.

"Fraser built his way into the game and he's got a massive engine," Schmidt said.

"It was good to have Hunter Paisami back in there. He's a punchy player who can give you advantage line. Lukhan was coming back from injury, I thought he came on and made a really good impression off the bench."

Schmidt was also quizzed about the current two-Test Bledisloe format, which it makes it wretchedly difficult for the Wallabies to win.

"I was pretty happy with that with that arrangement last year and the year before (with the All Blacks)," he quipped.

"But now I'm not so happy about that arrangement. We'd love it to be still alive, I think the people, the public in Wellington.

"I think it's sold out and it would be a cracking atmosphere but if there was something live on the game, it would be great.

"So that's something that other people make decisions about."