Herbert gambled on a defensive-oriented formation with players out of position so they could be exposed at international level, but the 28th-ranked Mexicans ran riot to lead 3-0 at halftime.
On the back of personnel changes to both teams the second half was a different story, and Herbert would have been mightily impressed with his team's fight, although it should be acknowledged Mexico, unbeaten in their past seven matches now, dropped down a gear or two with the game safe.
Herbert said it was a "hell of an acid test" for wing backs Michael Fitzgerald and Michael Boxall, who were substituted at halftime after both struggled playing out of position, but said injuries to key players and the need to see new players under pressure meant he had to cast the die at some point.
"We always knew coming here in this window was going to be tough -- so many players aren't where they need to be -- but if you don't take the games in these windows we'll never play. The exposure they'll get will stand them in good stead. The strong ones will come through," Herbert said.
And further injuries mean that approach is likely to continue in Sunday's match against Australia in Adelaide.
Already missing captain Ryan Nelsen, Tommy Smith, Tony Lochhead, Leo Bertos, Rory Fallon, Jeremy Christie and Marco Rojas, Herbert now has a further four defections to deal with as the team heads to Australia.
Experienced midfield pro Simon Elliott has picked up a hamstring strain and is unlikely to play against Australia, while West Ham United defender Winston Reid has a groin strain which looks to have ruled him out.
Uncapped midfielder Craig Henderson will fly straight back to Sweden as his hamstring injury has ruled him out, while key defender Ivan Vicelich was always going to miss the Adelaide Oval fixture because it clashes with his sister's wedding.
Herbert will mull over replacement options but the harsh reality is the cupboard is bare in terms of New Zealand or Australian-based players, and the quick turnaround means it is unlikely players could travel from further afar. The coach even joked that he was lacing up his own boots after yesterday's match.
It means the team for Australia can basically be named now.
Chris Killen and Chris Wood will probably start up front with Shane Smeltz in behind, while Kosta Barbarouses, impressive in a well-beaten team against Mexico, captain Tim Brown and Michael McGlinchey should all slot into the midfield, but it is the defensive line which is causing Herbert concern.
With World Cup starters Nelsen, Smith and Reid all out, he will probably have to switch to a back four with Andy Boyens and Boxall in the middle and Ben Sigmund and either Fitzgerald, David Mulligan or Jeremy Brockie, who were both very good as second half substitutes, as the other fullback.
"We'll try and stay fresh and hopefully that trans-Tasman rivalry will give us a boost on Sunday."
It really was men against boys stuff in the opening 45 minutes against Mexico as New Zealand, playing defensively with a virtual back five in their customary 3-4-3 formation as Boxall and Fitzgerald dropped back, were ripped to shreds on the flanks.
The opening goal was constructed on the right, with Fulham fullback Carlos Salcido firing a cross in that goalkeeper Glen Moss could only parry into the path of Tottenham midfielder Giovani Dos Santos.
Mexico doubled their lead on 30 minutes when Dos Santos received a ball from Barrera, beat Andy Boyens with a lovely touch and rounded Moss with another piece of magic, while they added a deserved third goal in the 43rd minute through De Nigris, who had a simple tap after Mexico were given acres of space on their left flank despite the presence of five men in New Zealand's last line of defence.
Mexico, themselves missing stars such as the Manchester United striker, Javier Hernandez, and Arsenal striker Carlos Vela, were so comfortable they rested Dos Santos and several others in the second stanza.
