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The All Blacks will look to refine their game, rather than make any significant changes, as they prepare for the second Test against France in Christchurch.
New Zealand will go into next Saturday up 1-0 in the three-match series after a 23-13 victory in Auckland in a physical and at times stop-start contest.
Coach Steve Hansen is happy with the win, and also with the information it provided on what his side need to work on.
“One of the big things we’ve got to get is more accuracy in what we’re doing and more detail of what we’re doing better,” he said on Sunday.
“That’s the exciting thing. When we looked at it – yeah it didn’t flow, but if we modify a few things and get rid of the avoidable errors, we’ve got something that we can play with.”
Hansen said it was important not to bring in a whole lot of new elements, but to embed what the team was trying to do and to get that right.
The All Blacks have no injury concerns from the opening Test and Hansen’s selection options will be augmented by prop Tony Woodcock and halfback Piri Weepu’s removal from the casualty list.
Hansen expects there will be “one or two changes” when he names the team on Thursday.
“People are coming back from injury, so there will be changes,” he said.
“But by and large, we will look to have some continuity.”
Among those not in the frame this week is star five-eighth Dan Carter, who remains sidelined after cracking a bone in his right hand, but is expected to be available for the third Test.
Lock Sam Whitelock, who is recovering from a broken finger, is rated an outside chance for the series finale in New Plymouth.
Hansen had plenty of praise for the challenge that France presented at Eden Park and expected them to go up a notch at AMI Stadium.
“They were full of passion and desire and they really wanted to take it to us up front,” he said.
“At times, they hurt us with their back attack, particularly in the centres,” he added, singling out the lively Florian Fritz, whose big break produced the Tricolores’ try.
The All Blacks travelled to Christchurch on Sunday, but the French are delaying their arrival until later in the week.
While the tourists have a match against Super Rugby side the Blues on Tuesday, they have opted to remain in Auckland until Friday.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.