Rugby-Wallabies still pondering how to beat the All Blacks

By Greg Stutchbury

AUCKLAND, July 19 (Reuters) - A deflated Wallabies side headed back to Australia on Sunday still wondering how to turn a convincing lead over the All Blacks into a victory.

On Saturday at Eden Park, just as they had in Brisbane and Hong Kong last year, the Wallabies jumped out to an early lead before the All Blacks ground them down for a 22-16 victory.

Australia led 10-0 and 13-3 within the first 20 minutes and also blew a certain try when Berrick Barnes failed to feed any of his support players until it was too late.

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans is in the sophomore year of a four-year project to build a team capable of winning the 2011 World Cup, but Saturday's match was his best chance to snatch some psychological ammunition early in this year's Tri-Nations.

The Wallabies had looked settled and composed in their June internationals against France and Italy, while the All Blacks bumbled through their programme against the same opposition.

Several new faces were introduced into the All Blacks in June as experienced players including Richie McCaw, Rodney So'oialo and Ali Williams were ruled out with injuries.

While So'oialo and McCaw returned to the side on Saturday, their only workout in at least a month was in club rugby last week and they appeared rusty in the opening quarter.

Their experience however finally filtered through the rest of the side and with the rapid development of players like Kieran Read and Isaac Ross, Deans's Wallabies team may have trouble snatching any impetus this season.