All Blacks skipper Kieran Read has labelled last weekend's second-half Test showing against Australia as a "kick in the guts", foreshadowing an even more ruthless display in the second Test in Dunedin.
So destructive at the back end of games throughout 2016, Read's All Blacks have found ways to trip themselves up in the latter stages of Tests this year.
They gave up winning positions in both the second and third British and Irish Lions Tests, resulting in a drawn series, while a 54-6 second-half lead in last week's Sydney Test was tarnished by four Wallabies consolation tries.
Read felt his troops had let their mental focus slip on Aussie soil, and demanded less carelessness under the roof at Forsyth-Barr Stadium.
"I guess a more dominant team would've finished the job, so that's something we can improve on," the 31-year-old Read said.
"We slightly took our foot off the throat (and) if we're not there mentally, they're a team that can do that - they're dangerous and hungry."
The 101-Test Read will line up in his customary No.8 role against the Wallabies, as he looks to secure his second straight Bledisloe Cup series win as captain.
He expects Australia to keep the scoreline tight on Saturday, having been embarrassed at home in the first Test, and to hit the ground running.
"No two weeks are the same - it could be a completely different game out here tomorrow night, we've got to adapt to that," Read said.
"The key from our point of view is to start again, make sure we go out and earn the right to do the little things that came off on the weekend, the simple stuff.
"Looking after the breakdown, our ball carries were really strong - that (stuff) just allowed us to get quick ball, and that's the key to every week."
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