Smith doesn't make many mistakes so his intercepted pass which gifted Remy Grosso the first try of the game was one of the biggest surprises of the opening 40 minutes last weekend as the visitors started with a pace they couldn't sustain.

"The French would've taken a lot of confidence out of their first 50 minutes on the weekend and will be coming to play on Saturday night," Hansen said. "Therefore, it will require us to raise our game to an even higher level.

"Rather than being inhibited by this, we'll be embracing and walking towards the challenge. We'll be looking to play our own high energy game with real intent. When it comes to our performance, we know there are high expectations from our fans. This, in turn, demands that we drive our own expectations even higher."

Hansen said the All Blacks were excited to be playing another test in the capital, the scene of last year's defeat to the British and Irish Lions, the first for them at home since 2009.

It is difficult to see how the French can provide a Lions-like comeback after Warren Gatland's men lost their first test of the series, also at Eden Park, but for the All Blacks the imperative to maintain standards will come from within.

A polished performance will add interest to the selection for the third and final test under the roof in Dunedin, where Hansen and his assistants will probably look for a slight change in personnel.

All Blacks: Jordie Barrett, Ben Smith, Anton-Lienert Brown, Ryan Crotty, Rieko Ioane, Beauden Barrett, Aaron Smith, Luke Whitelock, Sam Cane, Liam Squire, Scott Barrett, Sam Whitelock (c), Owen Franks, Codie Taylor, Joe Moody. 
Reserves: Nathan Harris, Karl Tu'inukuafe, Ofa Tuungafasi, Vaea Fifita, Ardie Savea, TJ Perenara, Damian McKenzie, Ngani Laumape.