The Wallabies conceded six tries in the 47-29 loss that meant they slipped to fourth place, behind England, in the international rankings.

New coach Ewen McKenzie conceded the side's focus on attack during the 12 or so days leading up to the first Bledisloe Test had cost them time working on defence.

''We created a different attacking approach. That definitely worked, and that's the hardest part,'' McKenzie said before the side flew to Melbourne on Sunday.

''We've got that in place, so we can now attend to some of the more mundane but very important parts of the game that we had less time to practise. We've got very good skills in some of those areas, so we can tidy that up pretty fast.''

Outside backs James O'Connor and Jesse Mogg were among the worst offenders for Australia but the problem was widespread, as the Wallabies missed one in four of their tackle attempts to the All Blacks' one in five.

Australia also turned over the most ball and, as predicted by livewire halfback Will Genia on the eve of the Test, were punished for it every time.

''We spoke about making sure we didn't give them those opportunities but at the end of the day you've got to execute under pressure as well,'' Genia said, adding that he remained confident about the Wallabies' prospects of fighting back with a win in Wellington this weekend.

''I don't feel deflated. There's a lot of confidence in the fact that we scored 29 points. We had a heavy emphasis on attack during the week because we wanted to reinvent and refresh a few new things, so we've got to make sure we go away and work hard.

''Seven days is a long time. It's an old cliche but I still feel very confident.''

Victory in Wellington is mandatory if the Wallabies want to stay in the hunt for the Bledisloe Cup.

There will be personnel changes. McKenzie will look at the make-up of the back three and ponder what should be done with Israel Folau.

The Waratahs fullback, who has played his four Tests on the wing for the Wallabies, was at his quietest on Saturday night in a back three easily accounted for by the All Blacks' back line.

''We talked about that leading up to the game - the threat that [O'Connor, Mogg and Folau] pose - and I think we were pretty smart in the way that we were able to do that,'' All Blacks five-eighth Aaron Cruden said. ''You're always looking, no matter who you're playing against, to manipulate the back three and if they're up flat, put the ball in behind, or if they're deep, throw it to a wide channel. We did that but we know they're going to mix it up and show different pictures next weekend.''

Mogg will struggle to keep his spot, especially if McKenzie toys with moving Folau back to No.15.

''We certainly don't rule out that [Folau] can play in that position … so we'll be open-minded about that," McKenzie said. ''He's a good player and we practised to have him involved in the game. It just didn't eventuate.''

The squad spends two days in Melbourne before flying to Wellington on Wednesday. McKenzie said five-eighth Matt Toomua did a ''good job'' in his Test debut and the coach appeared to be leaning towards giving most of the starting side another chance.

''I think about selection from the moment the game finishes, so … there might be 23 new players coming in,'' he said. ''But as you think it through logically, you picked the guys that are there for a reason. If it didn't pan out, you've got to give credit to the opposition. They were able to play off our errors and force us into mistakes.''