The big test before the big show

All Blacks must get their swagger – and their form – back

‘‘Was last week’s performance good enough? No, it wasn’t. The jersey demands better. They know that.’’ Steve Hansen, All Blacks coach

Desperate times require desperate measures.

Steve Hansen has played his part with a major selection shakeup; now it remains to be seen whether the All Blacks can recover their poise, form and identity in time to save the Bledisloe Cup, and maybe the World Cup while they’re at it.

Tonight’s Bledisloe redemption mission at a sold-out Eden Park has become a litmus test of sorts for the faltering All Blacks. Fresh off a pummelling from the Wallabies in Perth, where they were embarrassed 47-26, Hansen’s men must answer the bell in this potentially pivotal international.

The 80 minutes that unfold tonight will have no direct correlation on how the All Blacks fare in their tilt for a hat-trick of Webb Ellis Cups in Japan soon. But it will likely tell us much in terms of their ability to negotiate what shapes as the toughest field of contenders at the sport’s showpiece event.

The world champions were awful seven days ago in Perth. Their discipline, defence, handling, physicality, commitment, organisation and wherewithal all let them down. The Wallabies bullied them at the breakdown, won the physical battle hands down and ran away with the match.

But the truth is this All Blacks team has been in a form funk for a year. They were lucky to split their 2018 Rugby Championship tests with the Boks; could have lost to England as well as Ireland on tour; and then opened 2019 with a stodgy win in Argentina, an unimpressive draw with South Africa and then a record defeat to the Wallabies.

What the heck has happened to our All Blacks? The 2016 and ‘17 swagger has turned to a stagger, and the sight of the forwards getting sat on their proverbial backsides last weekend in Perth was perhaps the final straw. It’s been a full year since we’ve seen the world champions in their pomp.

If you believe Hansen’s rhetoric this week, it’s an ideal launching point. Out of the ashes of a Bledisloe bashing he hopes to launch his phoenix. ‘‘I’m loving it,’’ declared the coach ahead of his 100th test with the All Blacks. ‘‘This is the best challenge we could get prior to a World Cup.’’

Hansen has sent his own message with a selectorial shakeup. There are six new faces in the All Blacks 23 this week and experienced campaigners Owen Franks, Ben Smith and Rieko Ioane have been axed. Nepo Laulala, George Bridge and Sevu Reece get the chance to show their coach, and nation, what they’ve got.

Others get a crack too. Patrick Tuipulotu comes into the second row at a time when his muscular style is much-needed; Sonny Bill Williams returns in midfield with Hansen spouting thoroughbred analogies (‘‘If he was a racehorse he’s sharper because he’s had 2-3 gallops and a race’’); and Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Jackson Hemopo and Jordie Barrett freshen the bench.

Hansen talks about his selection bombshells being low on risk and high on reward and says ‘‘we have to find out if these players can step up to the plate under the biggest pressure’’. For that you might read the entire team.

The All Blacks are clearly bristling. Dane Coles set the tone at the start of the week when he talked about the lack of intent, physicality and attitude in Perth and admitted they might have taken things for granted. Every forward that has fronted since has repeated a variation of the mea culpa.

Hansen was asked if Tuipulotu should lead the physical response. ‘‘No, I need Sam Whitelock to lead it,’’ he responded. ‘‘He’s the guy with 100 tests; he’s the big boy in the pack. You expect those guys to lead.

‘‘The jersey has asked the question of them. Was last week’s performance good enough? No it wasn’t. The jersey demands better. They know that. They’re disappointed, but you can’t hide from that.’’

The All Blacks have a long list of areas where they have to be better. But it starts and finishes up front.

Everything suggests an All Blacks response is coming. Four years ago they were in the same tight spot after losing 27-19 in Sydney. The response? A 41-13, five tries to one, thrashing. The All Blacks haven’t lost on Eden Park since 1994; the Aussies haven’t won there since ‘86.

Everything, except form. That must be turned on its head tonight.