The All Blacks coach Graham Henry says their mistakes and not the tough schedule is to blame for thei 28-19 loss to South Africa in Bloemfontein.
Heny says there are no excuses and he has no complaints about the altitude or the turnaround of a week between playing Australia in Auckland and then taking on the Springboks a week later.
Henry says the current world champions are a very good Springbok side and deserve to be number one in the world.
There was sympathy for the All Blacks though from South Africa skipper John Smit saying it's difficult to play on the Highveld just a week after coming from New Zealand.
Skipper Richie McCaw felt the All Blacks were getting on top at one stage in the second half when they cut the deficit to four points thanks largely to the goal kicking of first five Stephen Donald.
But McCaw says they were forced into too many turnovers in the tackle along with handling errors.
