These inquiries, though, will just as likely be met with management explanations that Barrett played too well to be dropped and that there is longer term value in having Colin Slade on the bench.
The selectors know they have a world-class player in Cruden and want to further develop Slade in a game they have already stated is one they see as ideal to dabble in limited experimentation.
But it is the return of a rejuvenated Liam Messam, who brought so much off the bench in South Africa, which perhaps provides the best clue of what to expect from the All Blacks.
Messam has been picked partly on the strength of his last performance, partly because Jerome Kaino looked a little flat, but mainly because he'll be able to provide some rapier to the abundance of bludgeon.
The All Blacks want to get back to playing fast and wide in Brisbane. They want their attacking game to be more accurate and functional than it was against the Springboks.
Things improved in the second half, but for most of the first they were a little hurried, erratic and error-prone. It was also noticeable that none of the loose trio were regularly available to carry the ball in the wider channels.
Compare that with the equivalent game a year ago when Kieran Read made one try with an offload and scored another down the tram-tracks, while Messam collected two while lurking on the wing.
Messam is one of, if not the best loose forward in the squad at using his pace and awareness to exploit space and the All Blacks want that component firing again. They need bigger men banging the edges of the opposition defence.
But they also appreciate they need to earn the right to play their preferred wide-wide game.
The review of their last test would have told them that they didn't establish either the set-piece or collision dominance they were after in Johannesburg.
Their best performances this year - any year, really - have come on the back of impressive control, accuracy and physical superiority from the pack.
One such performance came the last time they met the Wallabies who were crushed at the scrum, blasted off the ball at the tackle and picked apart at the lineout where the All Black driving maul was just about unstoppable.
It's that smash and run style they want to use - knowing that the Wallabies have got plenty of run in them as well, but not so much smash.
"There is a real sense of determination in the team this week to prepare well and put in a quality performance on the weekend," coach Steve Hansen said.
"There were some aspects of our game in the loss to South Africa that we weren't happy with and we have worked hard on addressing those this week.
"There is always an expectation that when you pull on the All Blacks jersey, that individually and collectively, you will play well and this week is no different."
Starting XV:
1. Wyatt Crockett (32)
2. Dane Coles (23)
3. Owen Franks (63)
4. Brodie Retallick (32)
5. Samuel Whitelock (59)
6. Liam Messam (35)
7. Richie McCaw (captain) (133)
8. Kieran Read (68)
9. Aaron Smith (35)
10. Beauden Barrett (25)
11. Julian Savea (28)
12. Malakai Fekitoa (6)
13. Conrad Smith (82)
14. Cory Jane (51)
15. Israel Dagg (42)
Reserves:
16. Keven Mealamu (119)
17. Ben Franks (37)
18. Charlie Faumuina (22)
19. Patrick Tuipulotu (3)
20. Sam Cane (19)
21. TJ Perenara (6)
22. Colin Slade (14)
23. Charles Piutau (10)
3 things about Bledisloe test
Caps galore
Blues hooker Keven Mealamu will total 120 caps if he comes off the bench.
The 100 club
Brodie Retallick will bring up his century of first-class games.
100 coming up
First five-eighths Beauden Barrett has scored 94 test points up until this game.
