All Blacks star Cam Roigard admits Greatest Rivalry defeat 'still stings'

The All Blacks won the opening Test against the Springboks at Ellis Park but then suffered three successive defeats to lose the series 3-1.

They have had a short break before turning their attention to a two-Test Bledisloe Cup campaign against Australia.

New Zealand have held the trophy since 2003 and will be determined to extend that run when they face the Wallabies.

Australia, meanwhile, have won five consecutive matches under new head coach Les Kiss, including a victory over the Springboks, giving them momentum heading into the Bledisloe Cup.

Roigard knows the All Blacks face a tough test against a confident Wallabies side as they look to put their disappointing series against South Africa behind them.

"It's been weird to be honest having such a long tour and then a few weeks off. It kind of felt like it was the end of season tour in a sense," he told Sport Nation.

"Having the longest stint is normally at the end of the campaign or the calendar year so it's been a little bit weird knowing that we were coming back in for a short stint before a long one again.

"It's been good to have a couple of weeks off and mentally refresh after a massive campaign. There's been lots of energy in camp.

"It's a massive challenge ahead, it's not getting any easier but we love that in this group and it's all eyes ahead for Saturday."

The All Blacks were competitive against the Springboks but despite often looking dangerous in attack, the fundamentals of set-piece and kick receipt continually let them down and enabled South Africa to take control.

Roigard was disappointed that, after seeing the Boks dominate in those key areas, there was not much improvement as the series went on.

"The frustrating thing over the last three games were the reasons we didn't get the results was for similar reasons when it came down to small margins," he added.

"When we needed to be accurate, we weren't and things like discipline let us down for more than one game. Things like that sting a little bit more when you're not learning or adapting as fast as what you need to at that level, especially against a quality side like South Africa.

"It definitely still stings and it probably will for a while."

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