Only a win will do for the All Blacks this weekend, in the first meeting of their two-match Bledisloe Cup series against the Wallabies.
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Dave Rennie's side have lost their past three Test matches, following a trilogy of successive defeats to the Springboks across Rugby's Greatest Rivalry.
Despite clinching the 33-16 win in the opening test down at Ellis Park, Rassie Erasmus' men would rally back for three triumphs on the trot.
The men in green and gold responded with a 33-26 victory in Cape Town, then upon the return to Johannesburg (29-24) and finally upon neutral soil in Baltimore, USA (43-28).
"That was one stat we looked at the most when we were coming back,'' All Blacks defensive coach Tana Umaga said to New Zealand outlet Stuff.
"The three in the red when we lost, I couldn't remember the last time that happened as an All Black.
"So, for us, it probably does stick in the guts a bit. We have to come out with a response after that.
"[We need to] Look at where we are playing and what we are playing for. If that is not enough to get us up, then I don't know what will.
"There should be no hesitation in knowing what this weekend means to us.''
New Zealand have the honours of hosting the first Bledisloe Cup match, with none other than Eden Park in Auckland set to provide the back-drop for what should be an incredible battle.
The Wallabies have not had possession of 'Bleddie' since 2002, when Matt Burke's heroic late kick stole the colossal trophy from the grasps of the All Blacks.
New Zealand have since held on to the iconic trans-Tasman title for the past 24 years. However, this incoming Australian side pose a serious threat to their extensive reign and the 32-year (52 Test) All Blacks unbeaten streak at Eden Park.
Under the guidance of new head coach Les Kiss, the Wallabies have won their past five Test matches since the former Queensland Reds boss took up the mantle from Joe Schmidt.
Kiss oversaw back-to-back two-match series sweeps over the likes of Japan and Argentina, before taking the Springboks scalp for a famous 42-38 win in Perth.
“I think they’re playing with a lot more width, and having numbers across the field,” Umaga said to RugbyPass.
“You can definitely see the stamp of Les Kiss on this Wallabies side, and you’ve got to think that that’s a positive with the way they’ve been playing.
"So, we’ve got to adjust to that and make sure that we have the answers to the questions that they’ll pose to us.”
