KEY POINTS:
That opening 15 minutes of 'softening up' between the forward packs and a few choice words will reveal one of the most interesting aspects of today's test match against Australia - how will our debutants handle the passion and the emotion?
These emotional aspects need to be handled sensitively. It is a fine line trying to curb such emotions without taking them away completely.
The debutants are young - but they are experienced at NRL level and will need that to get them through this battle. How they handle the build-up, hype, expectation and passion will be different.
As I view the whole set-up I see the coach and coaches and realise the Kiwi team do not have six debutants, but 10.
Gary Kemble, James Leuluai, Phil Prescott and Sam Panapa are also making debuts at this level and dealing with these situations as a coach is different from handling it as a player.
My knowledge of three of the four gives me confidence that emotions will be somewhat calm. When I spoke to Gary and James this week, that view was reinforced.
There is not a ranting or raving voice amongst the trio and a fire and brimstone opening from New Zealand will probably not eventuate.
Instead an onslaught of controlled passion will be sought from the Kiwi team.
Looking at the Australians, up to nine players in the starting line-up are playing their first test and I know they will not have an environment like that of the Kiwi camp.
Coach Ricky Stuart played, and now coaches, with his heart on his sleeve and exudes passion and enthusiasm in his delivery to the players.
So be in no doubt that any confrontation will come from the Australians as their motto has always been, "bash the Kiwi boys in the opening exchanges and they will fold".
We have seen this happen on many occasions and I have no reason to think their view will change.
What I do see is a catalyst for any explosions from either team in Willie Mason. It's in his make up. We all know his qualities and his expected intimidation toward the Kiwi debutants before kick off will be interesting... watch this space.
The skill of this New Zealand side is of a high standard, as with the Australians, but I can better judge the quality of the Kiwi team after this fixture.
At the moment, all I can see is the abundant quality of New Zealand versus the class of Australia; and it's far too close to give a clear-cut call but... here's hoping.
