KEY POINTS:
For the past couple of years Graham Henry has been playing Russian roulette with the rotation of players and has yet to get a bullet.
This test side against France was supposed to be the best team available but the late inclusion of the England money-maker has supposedly pushed things back a week.
I would prefer to have seen the best of the best for this match.
The team still look strong enough to beat France and if that is achieved it will be a significant psychological victory before next year's World Cup.
France are only just recovering from the last belting in 2004 - another loss to an All Blacks team missing a few top-liners would shatter the fragile French.
Certainly, coach Bernard Laporte would be left grasping for ideas and confidence.
But what happens if the French win and use this new confidence to prepare for Paris, against supposedly the All Blacks' best?
Furthermore the French may be thinking that a win in either Lyon against rotation or, better still, in Paris against the best of the best will be enough to have them mentally right for the World Cup and ruin headmaster Henry's strategy.
The 2004 victory was built on a dominant All Black setpiece where French manhood was challenged and crushed.
I recall the French front row spent much of the week before the test talking about themselves and not much else.
This time round we have heard nothing from the French except a few queries from assistant coach Jacques Brunel about All Black cheating - usual fare before a test.
In my experience, the silence of the French is not a good sign for the All Blacks.
These days tests are rarely won on passion and hunger. I say rarely.
In recent times the All Blacks have been beaten when the opposition has either not been rated or desperate and fired with nationalism and passion. Just remember South Africa at Rustenburg.
Don't underestimate the power of emotion the French will bring to this match. They will still remember the belting of 2004, even if the All Blacks don't. And Armistice Day, November 11, is very powerful for the emotional French.
Henry and co have recognised the danger by retaining the best props. Anton Oliver will be useful at scrumtime but may need more than big words to ensure the lineout works with an inexperienced James Ryan and a desperate Ali Williams.
Keith Robinson's reappearance is a nuisance for Williams and he needs his A game if he is to be in the frame for the remaining games on tour.
At his best he has the power, mental toughness and physical aggression matched with quick thinking and subtle class to dominate games. If coach Henry ever needed Williams to perform, it could be now.
Team management rate Oliver for his experience and leadership - which is fine but I wonder if he retains the enthusiasm vital to be the best?
No problem in the loose with our best playing, ditto for Dan Carter who is marking a converted centre so may feel the opportunity to run more than usual against a player who may not match his agility.
Piri Weepu seems to have fallen behind Byron Kelleher and will need to stay cool among physical French tactics.
Decision-making will be vital, the French will target Carter and may see the harassment of Weepu as part of the plan.
In the midfield, Luke McAlister and Conrad Smith will face players with pace and flair.
Gaps will be left open and then snapped closed, so McAlister particularly will need to be aware of sticking to the match plan on defence and attack.
Against France there will always be the unexpected - a player will do nothing for 78 minutes and then rip a team apart.
Modern test tries seem to rely on turnovers and mistakes and the French are good enough to punish any All Black mistakes.
I really wonder if this rotated team has been given enough training time to prepare adequately.
Usually, on these short test tours, the opening match team has about 10 days to prepare and then the second match team only about five days.
The All Blacks have enough firepower to win but this test more than any other recently could be decided on emotions of fear, remembrance and pride.
The city and surrounds of Lyon are not famous for their rugby heritage but in matters of war, occupation and republicanism it has passion by the ton.
Laporte knows this and the external silence will be matched by internal plotting and fierce passion as only the French can manufacture.
This could be the week Henry puts the final psychological nail in the French coffin - or gets a bullet for his trouble.
* John Drake is a former All Black prop.
