All Blacks identify multiple work-ons

Hansen puts everyone under the spotlight, including himself and team’s other coaches

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen is asking for a vastly improved performance from his team — players and management included — in what is a crunch return Bledisloe Cup test at Eden Park on Saturday.

Reflecting on the performance in their record 47-26 defeat, which came after underwhelming efforts against Argentina and South Africa and which resulted in the All Blacks losing their No 1 World Rugby ranking (to Wales) for the first time since 2009, Hansen returned to his side’s poor discipline, missed tackles and a lack of ball security.

“[But] we got to 39 minutes and it was 13-12 and we were still in the game so . . . Australia chucked everything at us and we managed to stay in the game,” said Hansen.

“If we can rectify some of those problems and turn up with an attitude that says we’re hungrier or as hungry as them, then we’re in the game.”

In re-stating the need to remain calm, Hansen said everyone closely connected with the team needed to improve only two tests out from the World Cup.

“First of all, have a look at ourselves in the mirror to see what we can do better,” he said.

“Secondly, don’t panic. We’ve lost games before. And find out what’s critical to turn it around and then concentrate on that.

“Everyone’s responsible and I don’t have a problem taking that responsibility because that’s why you put your hand up as coach.

“Before you point the finger at anyone else, point it at yourself. There will be areas last week that we didn’t get right, so we’ll go through that process quietly.

“Not giving away nine points through silly penalties would be a good start. Not doubling up on penalties would be another good start and hanging on to the ball better would be another one. There are three good focus points.”

He added of the record defeat which came after Australia enjoyed 80 per cent possession in the first half: “I know the scoreboard is pretty

massive — 47 points, we don’t normally have that score put against us.

“I don’t think we can beat ourselves up about our defence in the second half. There was plenty of effort. We were just up against a side who found plenty of space.”

The All Blacks will likely be forced to make a change at lock once again following Scott Barrett’s red card and likely suspension.

That means, in Brodie Retallick’s continued absence, Patrick Tuipulotu and Jack Hemopo are the main contenders to partner Sam Whitelock in the second row.

Midfielder Jack Goodhue, who has a high hamstring strain, will also be missing.

“He definitely won’t be available for next week and we’ll take it from there,” Hansen said.

Apart from Goodhue, the rest of his players were okay physically, he said.

“Mentally, I’d say they’re pretty bruised. They’ll be disappointed, and rightly so. We’ve just got to bottle that and use it to get us better.”

The Wallabies face a tall order to earn a consecutive victory over the All Blacks and get their hands on the Bledisloe Cup for the first time since 2003. The All Blacks don’t have form on their side but they have history. They haven’t lost a test at Eden Park since 1994, while Australia’s last win over the All Blacks at the ground came in 1986. It was the corresponding fixture in Auckland last year that the All Blacks ran riot 40-12, with a similar dominant performance seen by the Wallabies in Perth.

Everyone’s responsible and I don’t have a problem taking that responsibility. All Blacks coach Steve Hansen