But what we are faced with here still isn't good. There should be high anticipation for Saturday's test at Eden Park, including recalling that while England don't have many victories over the All Blacks, they are more than capable of the pop-up shock, including on these shores. Instead, the impression is that England have sent an oversized reconnaissance force that will be strengthened by a few crack troops later on.
And the cavalry - available for the second and third tests - won't be in best shape. A long plane flight is hardly the ideal recovery from what is described as a brutal English premiership final. More importantly, the staggered approach won't promote tactical cohesion.
Shambles might be too strong a word for the All Blacks, but the 2013 history-makers have not exactly roared out of the blocks in the Super 15. The All Blacks are actually creaking at a few of their seams, although they do have one ever-reliable factor tailor-made for any potential crisis. For the umpteenth time in his career, Richie McCaw will steel the troops by his own example and mere presence. McCaw isn't the player he once was because he no longer carries the ball with the same vigour. But his amazing warrior spirit and mana survive.
Watch video: Jerome Kaino back in black
On form/fitness, Charlie Faumuina, Jerome Kaino, Beauden Barrett, Malakai Fekitoa and Ben Smith could start this test ahead of Owen Franks, Kieran Read, Aaron Cruden, Conrad Smith and Israel Dagg. Put it this way: the amazing 2013 machine is making the odd grinding noise.
If England were firing from the get-go they would have stood a rough outside chance. Considering the heights of 2013, Hansen has a surprising number of conundrums to solve.
On the plus side, the All Blacks have an outstanding locking combo in Sam Whitelock and Brodie Retallick, backed up by rising skyscraper Dominic Bird and the turbo charged Patrick Tuipulotu. There are specks of fitness and form elsewhere - at the top of the pile is the effervescent halfback Aaron Smith and utility Ben Smith from the thick of the Highlanders' shock revival.
Watch video: Meet the new All Blacks
But there are cracks. Hooker Keven Mealamu is clinging on, by necessity. Front row rock Owen Franks has operated from the Crusaders' bench of late. Tony Woodcock is harder than most to judge on Super 15 form, but he might be under an injury cloud, while back-up Wyatt Crockett has also been used as a substitute by the Crusaders. Kieran Read has had a messy season and was down on his best after returning from injury and illness this weekend. Cruden is in seriously troubled waters. Ma'a Nonu still runs hot and cold. Conrad Smith's mind is still sharp but the body may not be so willing.
Israel Dagg is springing to life and his punting is a major weapon, but despite the brilliant matchsaving tackle against the Highlanders, his one-on-one defence is shaky. Like Woodcock, Julian Savea was injured at Eden Park on Saturday night. The exciting outside back power option Charles Piutau is sidelined.
Trouble is, the genuine shambles is England. Pinning the blame might be difficult, but the end result - turning up in dribs and drabs for a major test series - is an insult. Yet an indication of the depths to which rugby expectations have fallen in this regard is the lack of sustained outcry over the punters being sold this dud.
England Lite. The record books. Hansen's calm authority and experience. Richie McCaw ... and Richie McCaw again. The confidence under pressure derived from last year's history-making exploits. It's hard to see anything else but one-way traffic, road-train style.
