New Zealand have urged officials to penalise breakdown infringements rather than manage them verbally ahead of Saturday's series finale against the Springboks in Baltimore.
Attack coach Mike Blair said players committing illegal acts at the ruck should face sanctions, not coaching from referees. The All Blacks believe repeated calls of 'hands away' and 'leave it' have slowed their ball throughout the series, which South Africa lead 2-1 following their victory at FNB Stadium.
"Our attack is based on our ability to move the ball and move the opposition around, so the cleaner our breakdown, the better for us," Blair said. "I think if you are doing something illegal, you should be penalised for it."
Lock Sam Darry acknowledged New Zealand must strike a better balance between competing in the air and executing their maul defence on the ground. The All Blacks conceded crucial lineout maul tries in Johannesburg, contributing to their defeat.
"We know we can be better and we will be better," Darry said. "In the second half, we lost our flow through our own errors. We had poor discipline, and that's what the Boks feed off."
New Zealand will be without captain Ardie Savea through injury for the M&T Stadium encounter, which kicks off at 11pm South African time. Darry described the absence of the inspirational loose forward as a significant blow to the squad.
The All Blacks recycled 56 percent of their 93 rucks within three seconds in Soweto, but Blair believes maintaining that tempo depends on consistent officiating at the breakdown.