KEY POINTS:
Anything is for sale on the streets of Hong Kong, anything it seems, except the secret to success tonight when Chapter IV of this year's transtasman rugby warfare reaches a verdict in the Orient.
If that sounds a bit scrambled, it might mirror the teams' attitude towards this international which starts their end-of-year tours to Europe. They comprehend the reasons behind the neutral ground meeting, but both sides look a little uneasy away from familiar surroundings.
Adding to that uncertainty is that the All Blacks have been in camp briefly, although most players have had a recent game or two, while the Wallabies have had no matchplay since the Bledisloe Cup decider in Brisbane seven weeks ago but have been together for some time in a variety of special camps.
Whichever team best kicks off their jetlag, the expected humidity, high afternoon temperatures and uncertainty will have an advantage. Whether that translates into victory could be decided by the accuracy of Daniel Carter or Matt Giteau when they are kicking for goal at an unfamiliar venue.
The problem for both teams will be gelling. The shadow All Blacks were lethargic at the start of their hit-out last week against the Barbarians and coach Graham Henry warned they would suffer if that sort of work was repeated today in Hong Kong.
Both teams will be anxious tonight, conditions may be oppressively difficult, passing and handling will be at a premium and there could be an impact on kicking for field position in an unfamiliar arena.
A hint of that anxiety appeared to surface when the All Blacks ignored Cory Jane as their replacement fullback and chose Isaia Toeava. With test regular Mils Muliaina detained at home on paternal matters, Jane, on form, in the zone and in fullback playing trim, should have been picked. He was a specialist and would also have had the advantage of playing alongside debut Wellington comrade Hosea Gear.
That selection quirk may not be exposed because the All Black pack are familiar with their patterns and should dominate their rivals, who have several new players and have only been able to hone their combinations on the training track.
But there has been an All Black glitch because of the short lead-in to the test. Henry and his staff have had to balance their anxiety to instruct and deliver a great of detail to their new squad with their acceptance that less is best for this international. "You can overdo it, we are only here a short time," Henry said.
There will be some significant worry, though, about this international for the All Blacks. They are blooding Stephen Donald as a starting five-eighths, the centres are much lighter than their rivals while the back three has a boom-or-bust look about it.
The loser will head out to the airport tomorrow with some excess depression baggage ahead of the long haul to Europe. If it is the All Blacks, then next week's probable victory against Scotland will not feel like any sort of redemption. This international may be the toughest of the tour.
No matter their results in Britain, evenif they produce another Grand Slam, if the All Blacks are runners-up tonight that result will niggle at them until next July.
While the Bledisloe Cup is not on the line and no prizemoney changes hands, this test will set the tone for the rest of the tour. There is a great deal at stake.
Forwards like Neemia Tialata and Jerome Kaino need to lift again in the pack, which will be asked for a grinding, unrelenting technical display, particularly under referee Alan Lewis' gaze at the scrums, while halfback Jimmy Cowan needs to repeat the type of control he delivered in awkward circumstances at Eden Park this season.
Skipper Richie McCaw may once again be the difference in this test, although the Wallabies do have three classy opensiders in their 22 to combat the conditions and the outstanding All Black captain.
A significant Wallaby win in Sydney was balanced by a dominant All Black victory in Auckland before the remarkably close tussle in Brisbane. Hong Kong may be equally close and tight but the recent matchplay for most of the All Blacks should be enough to swing the result.
