For Scott Robertson and his coaching group, it was a realisation that while practising potential game situations, it was still important to cope with what happens in the game, adapt to what the opposition brings, listen to referees, and find ways out of problems.
"It's finals every week. There are no bonus points, and it's getting results and finding a way. We played from behind a lot of that game, and it showed how much we care.'
As was the case in the first Test in Dunedin, the impact of the All Blacks' bench was critical to the outcome.
With the emphasis on dealing with England's rush defence, Robertson said it wasn't only substitute fullback Beauden Barrett's skills that defied them.
"There were lots of opportunities and the ability to show the skillsets, have the courage to go and do it more was probably our challenge. We did it enough times tonight to reiterate how good our scrum was, too."
Robertson said at the end of the game, when referee Nick Berry called obstruction as England captain and hooker Jamie George looked to score a try that could have drawn the game, that the referees got the clear and obvious call at the end.
"It drew out the entertainment factor but the way we defended it with the passion and the care, that part you can look after, and then the ref does the rest."
Robertson was proud of the mental fortitude displayed by the side when England pinned the All Blacks in their half for much of the Test.
He said Beauden Barrett's arrival on the field was critical.
"He showed some nice touches as kicking cover in the backfield, was brave enough and showed some courage to take it to the line, throw a couple of shorts balls there to put people away."
Captain Scott Barrett said the two-Test series was a challenging introduction to Test play for a new group.
"It's set us up well, understanding what Test match rugby is all about and we're only going to get better from here."
England had played even more intensely in Auckland than a week earlier in Dunedin.
"They won the arm wrestle around the kick battle, and for most of the game, they pinned us in our half, and that's the sort of game that they're good at.
"We were aware of that being their last game of the season they were going to throw everything into it and they certainly did that."
Issues at the lineout were the result of communication breakdowns and execution of plays.
"It was a little disappointing, but we managed to get out of that hole and were able to get some ball."
Robertson said the lineout was another area where they could adapt and pressure England when they took a couple of their throws.
Barrett said despite their advantage in possession, England could not get through the All Blacks, and the home team showed what he called, 'a huge amount of care on our line to win a couple of massive turnovers.'
Robertson was also pleased with halfback Cortez Ratima's performance off the bench, saying he was remarkable at a crucial stage of the game.
"He did his core role really well, and kicked well. He trains well and converted it straight onto the field which, in that position at Test level, shows how classy and skilful a young man he is."
England raised questions throughout the week about prop Ethan de Groot's scrum technique, which were answered in the game.
Robertson said, "We took a lot of notice [of the claims], that's why we won those scrum penalties."
He had discussed the scrum with the referee before the game and told him the All Blacks would give him the pictures needed for them to show their dominance.
They didn't dominate every scrum but secured a few key ones.
