The All Blacks performance of recent months has turned into a dance.... two steps forward and one step back.
Argentinian entertainers in Christchurch Photo: PHOTOSPORT
After getting the backing of New Zealand Rugby it's now up to coach Ian Foster and his players to make sure they're putting their best foot forward leading up to next year's World Cup.
Saturday night's loss to Argentina has left Foster frustrated.
"We're obviously desperately trying to build some new habits in this team about what we're doing on the park.
"It seems that we're taking a couple of steps forward and then suddenly you take one step back. So that is frustrating when you're trying to build some new stuff but we've got to keep working on that," Foster said.
Their defence let them down in Christchurch on Saturday night and they were also heavily penalised, especially at the breakdown.
Foster said they are working extremely hard to develop aspects of their game.
"Often when you're trying to build something a little bit different it takes a while. It's pretty frustrating isn't it," Foster said.
"We have got a lot of faith that some of things we're building are paying dividends, but it needs to happen quickly."
"I guess the flip side of it is that everyone's aware that we're putting some new players in some areas," Foster said.
"We're trying to grow parts of our game that we think we've struggled with.
"We were quite rightly criticised last year for getting beat up, up front in some games. We've made big shifts in that but we've got to put all those learning's into one game.
Foster is calling for patience from the rugby public as the All Blacks run of form has left people questioning if he is the right man to coach the team.
Pumas celebrate historic win Photo: PHOTOSPORT
He heads to his home ground at Hamilton under severe scrutiny and searching for a change in fortunes for his under-pressure All Blacks side.
Foster is looking for new ways to finish opposing teams off.
"We've got to look at that last quarter and clearly we've got to look at our response to teams that want to stifle us."
"We've done a lot of research over the years over games we've lost of the last 10 years."
"There's a similar pattern in our DNA that we like to hold onto the ball and try to run our way out of trouble."
"It's probably a NZ rugby thing and we've got to sort that out."
All Blacks captain Sam Cane still has the full backing of the coach.
Foster is standing behind his captain who has been criticised in some parts of the media.
"Clearly he's under the spotlight. We're all under the spotlight when things don't go well. Behind the scenes, I thought a lot of his tackle and his work around the breakdown was a big shift up the last two games and we're pleased with that," Foster said.
Argentina lead the Rugby Championship standings after their historic win in Christchurch. In a changing of the guard in rugby, the world champion Springboks sit fourth and last, with New Zealand third. The Wallabies are second behind Argentina on points differential.
