After losing coach Ian Foster and two assistants to COVID-19, the All Blacks will be boosted by the arrival of former Ireland Joe Schmidt into camp before Saturday's first test against the Irish.
Foster and John Plumtree - along with midfielders David Havili and Jack Goodhue - initially tested positive for COVID-19, later joined by defence coach Scott McLeod, leaving forwards coach Brad Mooar and scrum coach Greg Feek as the last men standing from Foster's staff.
But in a timely boost, Schmidt will join the team, after his appointment as a selector.
Schmidt brings a vast amount of intellectual property into the All Blacks, after working as Ireland coach from 2013-19, but took a break since the last Rugby World Cup.
Under Schmidt, Ireland transformed into one of the northern hemisphere's best sides, winning the Six Nations three times, a European Grand Slam in 2018, and defeating the All Blacks twice - including a maiden victory in 2016
"We've got Joe Schmidt coming in tomorrow and Thursday to help out," Mooar confirmed.
"We need hands on the ground, and that's a wonderful resource. Who better to have than Joe to come in and cast an eye over a bit of detail, and put his shoulder to the wheel there for us."
Schmidt's arrival isn't a direct response to losing Foster, Plumtree and McLeod, with plans already in place to have the ex-Ireland coach join the squad, before he begins as a selector full time later this year.
"As I say, this has been planned for," he continued. "It's not an unforeseen event, so working out who's available and who might be able to help in different situations has been discussed, and then you put it together when you need to."
Mooar is also embracing the challenge of being the senior coaching figure in the All Blacks set-up, but insists Foster still holds the title of head coach, even if he's working from afar in this week's build-up.
"First of all, I'm really disappointed for those guys. I personally would be gutted if that was for me.
"We've spent a lot of time and preparation to get ready for this week. That's my first feeling.
"Secondly, I'm really confident with the machine around us and the way it's been set up, we won't miss a beat."
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