Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt said inconsistent refereeing was making his job harder after his side went down 33-24 to New Zealand on Saturday to lose any the chance of regaining the Bledisloe Cup for another year.

Referee Andrea Piardi penalised Australia 15 times and New Zealand 10 in the Rugby Championship test in Auckland with many of the offences the Wallabies committed coming at the breakdown.

That crucially included a yellow card shown to winger Harry Potter in the final 10 minutes as the Wallabies, who had cut New Zealand's lead to two points, chased a first win in 39 years at Eden Park.

"It's really hard, because what we've perceived is inconsistencies," Schmidt said.

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