All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has suggested that it's back to the drawing board for his side in the new year, having looked far from their best in 2018.
In a testing year for Hansen and his coaching staff, the All Blacks have been beaten by both South Africa and Ireland, as well as been made to work for results over the likes of Argentina, France and England.
Speaking to media the morning after his side's 16-9 defeat to Ireland in Dublin, Hansen said that there is much for the All Blacks to work on if they're a chance of defending their World Cup title when next year's tournament begins in Japan.
The All Blacks coach conceded Ireland are the front runners for the cup.
"If we're honest with ourselves too, we've tried to change how we wanted to play," Hansen told media this morning.
"We're still stuck between the old way and the new way, we haven't got it right.
Ireland's coach masterminded a 16-9 win in Dublin.
"Did we think we were going to have it right by now? Probably not.
"We've got a bit of work to do over summer - we're not going to fix it in a week, but we will fix it. When we get it right, we'll see some big improvements."
The Rocky Nook Bowling Club was a sea of green after Ireland's 16-9 win.
The All Blacks play their final test of 2018 against Italy in Rome at 3am next Sunday morning.
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