Will New Zealand make it three consecutive Rugby World Cup titles in Japan next year, or will Ireland, England or South Africa take home the William Webb Ellis Trophy?

Losses in 2018 to South Africa and Ireland have put the pressure on veteran All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen less than a year out from the ultimate showdown.

While Hansen is not blessed with an open, engaging personality, his attack on the general sports media following the loss to Ireland was both surprising and unnecessary.

It showed a level of tension within the camp not normally associated with the All Blacks.

Perhaps the players have subconsciously switched off from his messages after listening to the same old, same old for so long. Only time will tell if Hansen is on the right path, but success at next year's Rugby World Cup could hinge on him getting the players tuned in to his thinking.

In most tests this year, the All Blacks have been so flat at the start of the game. Is all their energy going into performing the best haka of any All Blacks team, or is the reverse happening, with the opposition empowered after facing the haka?

The losses and near losses have unsettled the New Zealand rugby public. All this talk of changing game plans, and the strategy behind playing the best fullback in the world in Ben Smith on the wing, has not been explained.

What is clear is the high penalty count and unforced errors must be rectified. This season the All Blacks have dropped the ball more than in recent memory, as the tight forwards come to grips with the quick hands and extra pod system that Hansen wants.

In last Sunday's training romp over a poor Italian side, the All Blacks dropped the ball three times in the opening 20 minutes, with lock Scott Barrett responsible for two of them.

Beauden Barrett is without peer against weaker defensive lines, but for the first time in his illustrious career he is looking fallible. So too are halfback Aaron Smith and captain Kieran Read - two of the major leaders in the team.

Perhaps Sam Cane's broken neck, suffered against the Springboks in early October, has weakened the team more than first thought.

While Ardie Savea has finally stepped up to a new standard, without Cane the All Blacks have lost the hardest-tackling openside flanker in world rugby. Inside backs and wingers look forward to tangling with the boy from Reporoa with as much gusto as a root canal.

For all Savea's attacking skills, he does not have the intimidating factor that Cane has had since he was causing mayhem in the Bay of Plenty under-16 reps.

But the All Blacks are next year's problem. For now we have cricket and sevens to look forward to. Bring it on.