The Australians lost only one match, and won the Test series 2-0.

On 3 September 1949, New Zealand lost two test matches on the same day - one in South Africa, the other at home to Australia.

"The New Zealand Rugby Union ... decided that the 1949 matches against Australia would have full test status, even though the country's top 30 players were in South Africa.

One of the reasons for the decision was to not deprive test caps to three of the All Blacks, Johnny Smith, Ben Couch and Vincent Bevan who were not considered for the South African tour because they were Māori (although Bevan was not regarded as eligible for the Māori All Blacks).

All three would surely have otherwise gone to South Africa (also probably Ronald Bryers and Nau Cherrington).