The numbers still aren't flattering, but Wallabies coach Robbie Deans is adamant Australia have definitely improved at the end of their 2010 Tri-Nations campaign.

Saturday night's 23-22 loss to New Zealand at Sydney's ANZ Stadium was Australia's 10th straight defeat to the All Blacks and left them with just two wins in the six Tri-Nations matches this season.

It's one more victory than last year, but New Zealand-born coach Deans again had to sit through another final quarter fadeout, something of a nasty habit when the Wallabies play the All Blacks.

The Australians preferred not to use the excuse of fatigue following a short turnaround and a long flight after Tests in the two previous weeks against the Springboks in South Africa.

While Australia finished a distant second to New Zealand on the Tri-Nations table, Deans was adamant his team was moving forward.

"There's no doubt we've made progress but in the terms of the benchmark we are just under the brow."

He pointed to the benefits gained by the increasing international experience of youngsters like backs Kurtley Beale, James O'Connor and Quade Cooper, the last of whom was playing his first Test against New Zealand.

"If we can all make little incremental gains then collectively that will be significant and clearly we are not that far away," Deans said.

His New Zealand counterpart Graham Henry acknowledged Australia pushed his team hard in their last two encounters but was non-committal about whether the Wallabies had improved since this time last year.

"The game in Christchurch was a difficult game and tonight was a difficult game, the Wallabies have been playing some very good football," Henry said.

Replacement All Blacks hooker Corey Flynn felt the Wallabies scrum was continuing to improve.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP