All Blacks captain Kieran Read is determined to end the 2018 international season with a commanding win over Italy in Rome on Sunday (NZ time).
The All Blacks have been scrutinised over the last few months with some below-par performances, including losses to South Africa in Wellington and Ireland in Dublin.
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Read in particular has copped heat for an uncharacteristically sloppy performance against the Irish.
But the Kiwi skipper, who missed the start of the year following back surgery, insists his players will give 100 percent in the final match of the year.
"If we can go in and say we've emptied our tank, put everything on the line, we're generally pretty happy in that shed," he said. "That's what we're looking for tomorrow.
"It is tough coming off a loss, but the guys are excited about the challenge ahead of us tomorrow."
Read added the players haven't been paying any attention to the critics.
"It's nice being on the other side of the world I guess. You keep your head down, and you don't have to worry about too many things."
They don't have to look for motivation to win this game as the Stadio Olimpico is the same venue where kiwi Peter Snell started his run to 800m glory in 1960, in 'the golden hour' he shared with Murray Halberg, who won gold in the 5000m.
"We've had a great week in Rome. We've soaked up some history, and some big deeds were done here.
"We just watched the feats of Peter Snell and Murray Halberg, which is one of greatest hours at the Olympics.
"It is special to be standing near where it happened, and it is very motivating for the lads."
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