KEY POINTS:
The besieged All Blacks camp are pleading for patience as a buoyant Australia seek to break a 22-year hoodoo on Eden Park and place a firmer grip on the Bledisloe Cup and Tri-Nations rugby titles.
The fallout from a Robbie Deans-inspired Wallabies victory in Sydney last weekend shows no sign of abating, with Graham Henry facing renewed criticism following the Wallabies' 34-19 win in the first of four transtasman clashes this year.
The manner of the All Blacks' error-ridden defeat has met with predictable angst from the rugby public, mirroring the anger associated with New Zealand's quarterfinal demise at last year's World Cup.
After assembling in Auckland, assistant coach Steve Hansen admitted the build-up to Saturday's test had to be carefully managed by the players.
"The key thing is we don't panic," he said.
"There will be a lot of external goings-on and if we allow that external pressure to have an effect on us that might impact on our game," he said.
"We have to keep our composure and keep our calmness. What we have to do as a collective group is train hard but also very smart and make sure we turn up on Saturday a lot wiser than we were last week."
A critique of the All Blacks performance, especially in the last quarter, pinpointed tactical flaws that must be addressed before the rematch against a Wallabies side reinforced by captain Stirling Mortlock's return from injury.
The All Blacks paid the price for attempting to run back the ball from deep in their own territory, conceding possession at the breakdown where Wycliff Palu, Rocky Elsom, George Smith and later Phil Waugh dominated.
The All Blacks' reluctance to kick for territory also ensured that despite monopolising about 65 per cent of possession they were rarely able to capitalise on it in attacking areas.
A crippling error count, accentuated by the butter-fingered display by reserve loose forward Sione Lauaki, also sabotaged the All Blacks in the final quarter.
While acknowledging his side's inexperience had hamstrung their performance after clawing back from a 5-17 deficit to lead early in the second half, Hansen said there encouraging signs from the Sydney experience and the historic first loss to the Springboks in Dunedin a week earlier.
"We've fought back in two games we were behind in, we've showed a lot of composure and a lot of heart and desire to get back in front," Hansen said before lamenting a critical drop off.
"And once we've done that we might have mentally relaxed. That's a learning curve, that's what happens when you have a young side."
He was confident with the right preparation the All Blacks were capable of extending an unbeaten record that spans 19 tests at Eden Park, stretching back to 1994.
"When you break down the game, we weren't that far away.
"We just have to cut down the error rate and play a bit smarter. You just can't play as much rugby behind the gain line or the 10 yard mark in your territory as we did."
The All Blacks started their preparations yesterday before an enthusiastic crowd, primarily made up of school children, at their west Auckland training base.
Halfbacks Andy Ellis (ribs) and Jimmy Cowan (knee) were unable to train, raising the prospect of a recall for Piri Weepu, who joined the squad as cover yesterday, as did Auckland's Auckland's Taniela Moa.
Hooker Andrew Hore (hip) was confined to gym work but expected to be available when the team is announced later today (1.30pm).
- NZPA
