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If it's a sign his game is maturing, Ma'a Nonu also presented a more receptive approach in speaking about his All Blacks career.
His answers could never be described as expansive but his thoughts were considered and he was patient with some of the more offbeat inquiries from English questioners.
Nonu will be in the glare of the Twickenham floodlights from all angles on Monday, his team expecting him to carry the ball powerfully in midfield, improve his support lines and distribution while England have been working overtime on systems to defuse his threat.
It is four years since Nonu made his test debut, at centre against England, an unfulfilled four years of test rugby where he has been injured, ignored or dropped.
Monday will be only his sixth start in a brief 13 test-career in what is a mark of both his erratic progress and the competition he has faced from Tana Umaga and Aaron Mauger and latterly others such as Conrad Smith, Mils Muliaina, Casey Laulala and the experiments with Isaia Toeava.
Backline coach Wayne Smith this week described Nonu as the "form player" of the Air New Zealand Cup, someone who had played much of that series on the wing but was also an impressive centre.
He had become much more effective than last year because his passing and kicking skills had improved to complement his natural gifts on attack. His experience would help and the All Blacks expected him to reproduce the impact he brought to the provincial championship.
The areas away from his attack may interest the selectors most in the test washup - how did Nonu present the ball for his supporting teammates, what was the calibre of his decisions on defence and distribution, did his workrate suffice?
Nonu said he had seen a little on television of Anthony Allen and Jamie Noon, who will be in midfield for England. They must have deserved their places and would bring more attack to the host nation, he said.
But he was up for the challenge, he was ready for the combat.
He had been happy to be in any jersey for Wellington in a roving commission but this was a chance to go again at centre.
"During the NPC I wanted to get involved a bit more and try and to work on my workrate and it did pretty much work for us and hopefully I can get the same here," he said.
Test duty would be much more structured and Nonu had spent a great deal of time this week on the transition, staying at centre, keeping his communication up with Mauger.
The national championship was several levels down from internationals and could sometimes prove inadequate for the demands of being in the All Blacks.
"At this level it is different, the level of professionalism is high and there are a lot of fit defenders now.
"Changing to centre is not easy but it is something you have to cope with and that's rugby," the 24-year-old said.
"But we want to get on top of them early and use our strengths."
There had been frustration at not being able to play a full season in the black jersey since his introduction during the last World Cup year. That pattern could continue on this trip with coach Graham Henry suggesting many changes for next week against France, with Smith probably at centre.
"But that's what you get in rugby. I think these days you have just got to make the most of your opportunities," he said.
Four tests and 32 players on this tour meant there had to be some selection changes.
Quizzed on whether the disappointments he had endured in the All Blacks had caused him to think about overseas contracts or switching codes, Nonu thought carefully.
"I have a passion for playing in New Zealand and I have a passion for playing for the All Blacks and as long as I keep that I will keep on trying."
He would continue to learn from his buddy Umaga when the seasoned midfielder returned from his Toulon contract for another season with the Hurricanes and Wellington.
Umaga's defensive direction, discipline and leadership were qualities Nonu wanted to emulate and another season around him would be a boost in a World Cup year.
Nonu thought he had the patience to be an international footballer, he did not think he had tunnel-vision about personal attack at all costs every time he got the ball.
"Every time I get the ball I want something to happen but in this game [test rugby] it is different.
"You get the ball for reasons, you know. You could be a decoy or whatever and at this level it is real different."
Given a shot against Ireland four months ago in the first test of the season, Nonu looked as though he would get a decent sequence of play, especially with Smith out with a broken leg.
Soon after, Nonu broke his thumb, an injury that removed him from the test roster until Monday. This was, he said, a serious chance to restate his credentials.
Ma'a Nonu
Born: May 21, 1982 in Wellington
Height: 1.80m
Weight: 104kg
Club: First made All Blacks from Oriental-Rongotai
Test debut: v England at Wellington June 2003
Tests: 12
