UNHAPPY coach Steve Hansen says the All Blacks have to improve "just about everything" to deny the Wallabies a drought-breaking success at Eden Park.
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With fine Auckland weather set to allow both teams to play to their strengths on Saturday, Hansen stressed New Zealand needed to lift 10 or 12 notches from the 12-12 draw in Bledisloe I.
But he hinted Australia may not be able to get much more out of themselves after blowing a golden opportunity at ANZ Stadium.
"I know we can. I don't know how much they've got left to lift," Hansen said on Thursday.
The All Blacks, who struggled to overcome England in their June series, have reacted to the Sydney stalemate like a loss and Hansen said criticism of his team's poor display was wholly warranted.
"Our skills and our game structures were basically non-existent to where we want them to be," he said. "We just didn't play well enough. We have to be honest about that, and if we want to retain the Bledisloe Cup we have to go up 10 or 12 notches and get on with it."
The feeling in Australia that last Saturday was a massive missed opportunity, for a Wallabies side that enjoyed 65 per cent of possession, is also held on the other side of the Tasman.
"It was a golden chance," New Zealand's most capped second-rower, Ian Jones, said. "We really, really dodged a bullet.
"We gave them 18 penalties and we gave them so many chances and had no No. 10 [Beauden Barrett] for the last 10 minutes, but they just couldn't take it. And you know what? It's not going to help them when they come to Eden Park."
The Wallabies have not won in Auckland since 1986, but the hosts have struck trouble with enforcers Ma'a Nonu (shoulder) and Jerome Kaino (elbow) ruled out.
Breakaway Liam Messam has been recalled to play his first game in five weeks while Ryan Crotty, in his run-on debut, and Conrad Smith will form a new midfield combination.
Hansen blamed poor execution, a wonky set-piece platform and refereeing decisions for the All Blacks' Sydney display.
He revealed South African whistleblower Jaco Peyper had apologised for three short-arm scrum penalties against the Kiwi pack for pre-engagements as well as the first-half yellow card to prop Wyatt Crockett.
"He had a bad day at the office and he put his hand up, but I have to emphasise it wasn't just his problem. We had a hell of a bad day ourselves," he said. AAP
