Photos: ABs v Springboks - 10 to watchKEY POINTS:
Graham Henry suggested the start of the Tri-Nations series against the World Cup champion Springboks would rank with the greatest challenge of his five-year coaching tenure with the All Blacks.
Whatever the veracity of that statement, there is a certain element of uncertainty about Saturday's test in Wellington with the arrival of the Webb Ellis holders, the new rules, dodgy weather predictions and an All Black side shorn of their talismanic captain Richie McCaw.
Similar sentiments came from Henry when he began his All Black coaching tenure against the world champions England five years ago at Carisbrook.
That time, though, England had lost some of their talent while the All Blacks were a team of better overall quality than the present group.
Losing successive tests in Australia and South Africa in 2004, being beaten three years in a row offshore in the Republic, holding on against England in 2005 and Australia at Suncorp in 2006 but bombing last season - these were tests which were right up there with the most resolute challenges Henry's All Blacks have faced.
There was also the small matter of France last season in a certain quarter-final in Cardiff. This is a new season though and the Springboks certainly appear a much more difficult foe than England presented.
"They have virtually got all their whole team back from the World Cup of last year so I think it is a massive challenge, maybe the biggest challenge this group of people have faced in the five years we have been together," Henry added.
"I think it will probably bring the best out of us, we are hoping to give them a decent sort of a game."
The All Blacks have made four changes from their last test win against England and a positional switch for Rodney So'oialo, with the new skipper shifting from No 8 to occupy the openside role of his injured predecessor.
In other changes Mils Muliaina and Conrad Smith return for Leon MacDonald and Richard Kahui in the backs while Tony Woodcock and Jerome Kaino are picked in place of Neemia Tialata and transplanted So'oialo.
Lock Ali Williams has been selected for what will be his 50th test match but was only involved in very limited training yesterday with a similar plan for him today.
However the staff are confident he will be fit to resume in what will be a milestone test for him.
Forwards coach Steve Hansen acknowledged the huge challenges for both teams in returning to the new rugby laws this Saturday with several extra rules which allow unlimited lineout numbers and defenders to sack driving mauls.
It had been an easy task to pick the looseforwards and to carry on the work of left and right flankers they had started against Ireland and England. Their effectiveness would be governed by the impact of the All Black tight five.
While there would be all sorts of theories about the rules, the key to making an impact would be players' aggression and their ability to get past the gainline.
Henry acknowledged the safety concerns about sacking driving lineouts and was certain the lawmakers would be carefully monitoring the outcomes once the Tri-Nations started this weekend.
"I think they were brought in [rules] to try and make the game easier for the referee who doesn't have to count the numbers in the lineout which has always been a frustration; whether it has a real positive effect on the game we will have to wait and see," Henry said.
New Zealand had wanted a global version of the ELV's to be used but the IRB decreed a limited version would be better so that edition would get its first test trial this weekend in Wellington.
"We just have to make sure we do it right with these laws," Henry said.
