Bledisloe Cup: Beauden Barrett responds to Wallabies' time-wasting protests before Eden Park showdown

After the controversial decision that ultimately swung the Bledisloe Cup opening test in their favour, All Blacks first-five Beauden Barrett is confident he won't be called for time-wasting like Wallabies opposite Bernard Foley.

In the dying stages of their series opener, with Australia leading 37-34 at Melbourne's Marvel Stadium, Foley was penalised by referee Mathieu Raynal for delaying the game.

From the resulting scrum, fullback-turned-midfielder Jordie Barrett scored in the corner to break Australian hearts, ensuring the Bledisloe Cup remains on this side of the Tasman for another year.

Australia protests the time-wasting decision in defeat to the All Blacks.
Australia protests the time-wasting decision in defeat to the All Blacks. Photo credit: Image - Getty Images

The decision came after Foley was repeatedly warned by Raynal, as even his own teammates begged him to kick the ball out, before the whistle was blown.

Despite the result, reaction to Raynal's controversial call has by no means died down.

Foley himself denies he intended to waste time, while Rugby Australia has reportedly protested the decision to World Rugby.

For Beauden Barrett, who has spent much of his career as the All Blacks' designated kicker, the consequence of being penalised for time-wasting is always something to take into consideration.

"You're always aware of the referee, they're the ones in charge," said Barrett. "Yes, you play the game a little bit.

"You wait for that warning, if you're trying to run down the clock, and then you kick the ball out or play on, whatever it is.

"Of course, we're the one with the ball. If the ref asks us to get on with it, we do."

Both sides are now preparing for the second test at Eden Park on Saturday.

The result in Melbourne largely papered over the All Blacks cracks, after coach Ian Foster's side surrendered a 31-13 advantage to trail, before the controversial call.

Conceding what should have been a comfortable win has led to a thorough debrief, with the All Blacks out to avoid making the same mistakes this weekend.

"It was a very good review, as they always are," he said. "Very honest, there' a few boys who're a bit scratchy at the moment, which is great.

"It's where you want to be on a Monday, not feeling comfortable at all. There's plenty of edge in camp.

"There's a lot to work on. We obviously didn't put an 80-minute performance together on Thursday night - that's going to be the challenge this week."

Join us for at 7pm Saturday for live updates of the second All Blacks v Wallabies Bledisloe Cup test