Having gone six games undefeated under new coach Les Kiss, the Wallabies came back to earth during a brutal eight-day stretch against New Zealand. The All Blacks repelled Australia's attack and scored 14 tries to six, with breakdown dominance and clinical skill. Dave Rennie's team put the second contest beyond reach with six tries in the opening half at Accor Stadium on Saturday.
The humbling series served as a massive reality check ahead of a spring tour that will see Australia play England, Scotland, Wales and a yet-to-be-determined fourth side in the Nations Championship finals.
Players are keeping a sense of perspective based on the quality of the All Blacks' performance, ensuring confidence gained this winter is not stripped away.
"If we were saying we're going to go into the Bledisloe unbeaten, we're taking that," McReight said. "We beat some really good teams, had some tough opposition and some tough, close games. But the ABs are world class for a reason."
McReight also pointed out that none of the northern hemisphere teams possess the same attacking potency as the All Blacks, providing grounds for optimism despite the heavy defeat.