All Blacks: Who will play at Eden Park?

Sonny Bill Williams. Photo / Getty Images.

Of all the lessons learned in the 27-19 loss, the fact that some players have subconsciously become a little too comfortable was arguably the most telling.

On a night when the All Blacks needed world class performances from their world class contingent, they didn't get them. Richie McCaw nailed it as usual but Dan Carter was well off. Sonny Bill Williams, who picked up a leg injury early, was even further off.

Listen back to Radio Sport's Nigel Yalden, Rikki Swannell and Tawera Kerr-Barlow with the highlights of their call of the match.

Aaron Smith had his worst game as an All Black. Kieran Read was mostly good yet strangely missed two simple tackles that were costly. Owen Franks didn't anchor the scrum and really when he doesn't do that it's questionable whether he should be involved at all because his offering elsewhere was minimal. Really minimal.

And Tony Woodcock will know he can play better than he did. A lot better.

There's no question these players are world class and haven't suddenly lost it. But what is in question is how many of them will play this week at Eden Park.

Williams may not be able to because of injury. He'll be touch and go as to whether he's fit. And if he is, he'll loom as a problem. He's not had a great season and looked short of confidence and form for much of this year.

He played well against Argentina but was a passenger in Sydney. But an unruly passenger who made his presence felt by what he did wrong.

He's a special player when he's at his best and the selectors will be tempted to give him another run so as he can try to find his confidence. But in Ma'a Nonu and even Malakai Fekitoa, they have players who are direct, confrontational and more worthy of selection on form if not potential.

Carter didn't exert the control and accuracy that was expected. As the tactical general he was responsible for finding the space and controlling the speed. But he kept pushing the ball wide whether it was on or not and his kickoffs, normally immaculate, weren't good and he missed two kicks at goal that would have made a difference.

It's not time to start doubting whether he's the number one first-five but he does need to raise his game and kill any chance of that theory growing legs. There is also the question of what to do about Lima Sopoaga. He's had one run at No 10 and if he's going to go to the World Cup - and the odds on that are shorter than many realise - he needs another crack.

Should that be from the start at Eden Park are off the bench? What about Nehe Milner-Skudder? Was his impressive debut enough to force him into the mix already or does he need another start?

It might be he starts again with the selectors of the view they have seen enough from Charles Piutau to know they are going to take him regardless.

Sam Whitelock probably needs to come back into the starting XV with Luke Romano asked to make an impact in the final 20 minutes and with Charlie Faumuina becoming an ever distant prospect of making it to England, Nepo Laulala would benefit from another start as much to kick Franks up the pants as to bolster his confidence and development.

Whatever team is picked, the mood in camp this week is going to be intense
"I know this is something Steve drives home that you shouldn't need to lose to get those lessons," said Conrad Smith.

"But there is no doubt it often works that way and there is nothing like a loss to really make the boys realise what you need to do and how much you want to do it because it is not a nice feeling sitting in the changing room after a result like that."