At this point, results and performances – specifically the mental lapses and inconsistencies within games and questionable tactical decisions – strongly suggest something is not right, something is not working, within the All Blacks coaching group.

This is not a knee-jerk reaction.

Earlier this year, the All Blacks suffered their heaviest defeat in history and their first loss in Argentina.

The signs in recent weeks were also there that defeat at Twickenham was brewing.

Missing five players from their first-choice squad – Jordie Barrett, Tupou Vaa’i, Caleb Clarke, Tyrel Lomax, Patrick Tuipulotu – hurt the All Blacks against England. So, too, did losing the highly influential Cam Roigard early in the second half, and having Beauden Barrett attempt to battle through a leg injury.

England, now riding their 10-game unbeaten run, deserve credit for their status as a growing force, too.

The All Blacks, though, have standards to uphold, and a brand built on sustained success to sell globally.

Improvements will be demanded. And as with any professional sport, the spotlight starts at the top.

By the end of this year, two of Scott Robertson’s original coaching team – Leon MacDonald and Jason Holland – will have left.

MacDonald was the first intended attack coach, but he didn’t last long in year one before exiting due to differing views.

Holland’s technical title is strike coach which suggests he designs moves from the lineout and scrum platforms, but doesn’t have a great deal of influence in the wider attacking structures.

When his departure was announced, Holland intimated he decided to move on at the end of his two-year contract but, privately, he may hold frustrations with his limited brief.

Holland and defence coach Tamati Ellison don’t select the All Blacks each week. Robertson shifted from allowing his original five-strong coaching team to select in year one to refining that responsibility to himself, forwards coach Jason Ryan and fellow assistant Scott Hansen this season.

The All Blacks’ attack is one flashpoint for their struggles to make obvious progress in the two years of Robertson’s reign. Individual brilliance, much more so than a clear pattern or plan, often provides decisive incisions.

Last week at Twickenham, the All Blacks exploited space on the edge well to finish two first-half tries, but they were then largely caught in a static, predictable state of lateral movement – often on the congested short side – that left them easy to pick off and unable to gain enough go-forward penetration to trouble England.

This attacking frustration is a familiar theme.

Holland’s imminent exit, therefore, provides a natural juncture to consider what needs to change.

Every head coach adopts a different approach to running their teams.

Robertson’s style could be likened to a football manager in that he develops game and tour themes – this Grand Slam venture based around ‘taking the kingdom’. He also prides himself as a motivator and on fostering personal relationships through one-on-one man management.

Much of the overall team strategy and tactics, though, are designed by Hansen.

Holland’s departure raises the question of how to replace him, what is missing from the All Blacks coaching team and whether portfolios need to change.

Does Hansen have too much on his plate? Is the division of labour right? Could the All Blacks benefit by replacing Holland with an attack coach? Is more experience needed? Are there enough differing, challenging voices?

Changing responsibilities within the All Blacks is not unprecedented. During their eight years leading the All Blacks, in an effort to evoke fresh ideas amid the team’s 2009 struggles, Steve Hansen, Graham Henry and Wayne Smith traded roles.

Asked to assess the All Blacks’ season in Cardiff and whether the team is delivering the desired growth with one match remaining, Hansen largely deferred until the end of the year.

“It’s a fair question, but my sole focus is on Wales at the moment. We will get time to reflect. You can use all the things around debutants and we’ve grown this and that. We can talk about that later on. I’m really proud of the group around where we’re going,” Hansen said.

“You think about some of the games – Ireland, Scotland – and some of the resilience we showed. Look at where we are around growing some young All Blacks.

“The fact is, [with] the performance on the weekend, we wanted to be better. I’m best to put all of my energy and effort into Wales and as we get through the season, I’m sure we’ll sit down and go through some things.

“Obviously, there’s some discussions around where we can grow areas of our game, what does that look like, how do we become more consistent but for me to be at my best for the All Blacks this week, I’m focused on one thing.”

Once the All Blacks conclude Robertson’s second season at the helm, New Zealand Rugby can’t afford to sit idle.

Pointed questions must be asked of the coaching team in traditional reviews. If faith is maintained that Robertson is the man to lead the All Blacks to the next World Cup, changes may be needed elsewhere.

The All Blacks paid the price for not acting fast enough in 2022 when Ian Foster stayed loyal to assistants Brad Mooar and John Plumtree before he was forced to cut them after the first home-series loss to Ireland.

This time the situation is complicated by New Zealand Rugby changing chief executives as Mark Robinson prepares to finish his six-year term this week and a long-term replacement is not expected to be in place until at least February.

Responsibility for assessing the All Blacks, therefore, will largely fall to NZ Rugby chairman David Kirk, the first World Cup-winning captain who holds high standards and a ruthless edge.

With a storm brewing on the horizon in the form of a daunting four-test, six-week tour to South Africa and a 17-game season, NZ Rugby must be assured that improvements are imminent.

Next year will be the most brutal season any professional All Blacks coach has confronted.

With the first Nations Championship confirmed alongside four outings against the world’s best team, and only four home tests, the All Blacks need to be at their best to navigate a ruthless schedule.

Liam Napier is a Senior Sports Journalist and Rugby Correspondent for the New Zealand Herald. He is a co-host of the Rugby Direct podcast.