The results for one of rugby's most powerful brands have been, by their high standards, modest.

The victories over an understrength France, Italy and Ireland in July were tarnished by the 3-1 series defeat to the Springboks, and although the All Blacks retained the Bledisloe Cup by beating the Wallabies in Auckland and Sydney, the latter didn't offer the same resistance, or resolve, as the world champion Boks.

Rennie's 6-3 record in tests was complimented by the All Blacks winning all four games against provincial opponents in South Africa, but it's the results in the internationals that matter.

The Wallabies were meek in the Bledisloe Cup tests and had the All Blacks defensive line had not been so flaccid in the second half in Sydney there would have been potential for the match to descend into farce.

The All Blacks will now be judged on their results in the four fixtures in Edinburgh, Cardiff and London.

Rennie named his 36-man squad on Tuesday and with Ardie Savea still unavailable because of a shoulder injury, Codie Taylor retained the job as interim captain.

The All Blacks will not only seek a clean slate, with bonus points, against Scotland, Wales and England; they will also be aiming to finish in pole position in their pool to secure a berth against the best from the north when the finals weekend is staged in London.