All Blacks can ease pressure

New Zealand coach Wayne Smith goes into Saturday's Tri-Nations Test against South Africa in need of a victory to stave off mounting pressure.

The All Blacks have lost only once this season - a 23-15 defeat by Australia two weeks ago - but already it has been speculated that Smith and assistant Tony Gilbert could be on their way out.

The critics have cited the manner of defeat in Dunedin and even put forward their 12-3 Cape Town victory over the Springboks in the opening round of the tournament as evidence that the All Blacks game is stagnating.

But Smith said: "The short answer to that is that we are here to do a job for the All Blacks.

"Come what may, we are proud of the team and believe in what we are trying to do."