Forget the fact, for a moment, that the 47-26 thrashing at Optus Stadium on Saturday night means the All Blacks must win in Auckland next week to retain the Bledisloe Cup.
Lock Barrett, who was sent off for ramming his shoulder into the neck of Wallabies captain Michael Hooper in the 40th minute, has ensured the All Blacks will be under the microscope ahead of, and during, the global tournament in Japan.
It's hard enough to defend the Webb Ellis Cup without distractions, and Barrett's moment of madness will do his countrymen no favours ahead of the event in the Far East.