The All Blacks' playing group want to respond with their performances against South Africa, in order to repay the faith shown in them by coach Ian Foster, Beauden Barrett says.
In the wake of this month's series defeat to Ireland, Foster's role as the All Blacks' head coach has come under the microscope, leading to changes in his coaching staff.
Assistant coaches Brad Mooar and John Plumtree have been replaced, with Crusaders assistant Jason Ryan joining the group as forwards coach, while Foster will take a greater role in attack.
Regardless, Foster's place is still under scrutiny, now facing the unenviable task of travelling to face the reigning world champions, at home.
For the players though, the criticism of Foster has been felt, with the All Blacks camp coming together as one to step up for their next challenge.
"He's a strong, strong man," Barrett said. "But he's also not afraid to speak out and to share with us how much it hurt last week, what he went through and so on.
"It hurt us as well. [He's] our coach, our leader and us as players, what we went through, we're all in it together.
"With Brad [Mooar] and Plum [John Plumtree] having to move on as well, it all hurts.
"All we can do now is come together really strongly, tightly [and] embrace this trip we're about to get into.
"I know our game will improve. I know we're going to work hard to make sure it does."
Barrett also asserts that the responsibility of the Ireland series lies as much with the players as it does with the coaches.
And now with a more hands-on approach in terms of his side, Barrett is backing Foster to help turn the side around - taking on the same specialisation as he did as part of Sir Steve Hansen's side from 2012 to 2019.
All that will need to happen is for the players to execute the plans they'll have in place to face the Springboks.
"We have to do our jobs first and foremost," he continued. "We're turning up to training and we have a desire to get better as players, individually.
"What we're, not searching for, but what we're going to get is a little bit more clarity and simplicity with what we're doing so that we can go out there, play footy and back ourselves.
"Similar to what we've experienced in the past with Fozzy [Foster], he won't be overcomplicating things. But I think it's about keeping an efficient gameplan.
"Things will take care of themselves if we do the basics well, [and] if we just have simple focuses.
"We're not going to go over there and reinvent the wheel. We all know how well Fozzy coaches attack, and his success rate in the past.
"He'll be sticking to his guns."
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