Australia not only lost their Tri-Nations/Bledisloe Cup match to New Zealand at the weekend, they saw one of their strengths turn into a weakness.

Wallaby line-out kingpin Nathan Sharpe, who saw his team conceded eight line-outs on their own throw, was at a loss for words to explain his team's sudden demise in what was meant to be their most dominant department.

It was only when Dan Vickerman came on as a replacement that the Aussies managed some parity in this set piece.

"It's been a fair while since that one [a line-out so poor], so all you can do there is learn from your mistakes and, next time you go forward into a match, make sure that you've got those things that placed pressure on us sorted out and move forward from here," Sharpe told AAP.

The Western Force lock has assumed the leadership role in the line-out with Vickerman benched as he returns from injury.

That could be a luxury coach Robbie Deans can no longer afford as the side heads to South Africa for two crucial Tri-Nations Tests later this month.

"I just think generally inaccuracy from everyone right across the board [was the problem]," Sharpe said.

"Our lifting, our throwing and our jumping, a combination of that just puts pressure on ourselves so it was disappointing.

"The line-out's been going very well up until tonight and when you have a night like that it seems like nothing falls into place.

"And couple with that it was one of those games where it felt like everything the All Blacks did turned to gold."

The Australian line-out wasn't helped by the absence of big flank Rocky Elsom with a foot injury and Deans' experiment of playing two regular openside flanks in George Smith and Phil Waugh is likely to be shortlived.

Sharpe denied the Australians could have been flat after two gruelling Tests in the previous two weeks.

"I don't think so, the guys knew what to expect and I think obviously the Kiwi team were very stung by criticism over the last couple of weeks and responded as any good international side does," he said.

365