KEY POINTS:
When Reuben Thorne steps on to Eden Park today he will equal the 46-test mark set by one of the venue's favourite sons, Grant Fox.
It is a hefty chunk of appearances to list alongside his place as third equal behind Sean Fitzpatrick and Sir Wilson Whineray in those who have captained the All Blacks most in tests.
He is the most capped blindside flanker - ahead of greats such as Ian Kirkpatrick, Kel Tremain and Alan Whetton.
Four All Blacks coaches - John Hart, Wayne Smith, John Mitchell and Graham Henry - have chosen Thorne in their sides since his 1999 debut.
Yet it is hard to think of any other All Black with similar experience, except Taine Randell, who has received as much criticism as Thorne. The blindside flanker does polarise opinion.
But he continues to make the cut and starts his quest today to be part of a third World Cup campaign. His chances?
Better than average, though many feel he is in a duel with Troy Flavell to make the July 22 selection.
That theory allows for some other loose forward like Sione Lauaki to be included.
But the injury exit of Jason Eaton may give Flavell and Thorne tournament passports for their experience and leadership, while Lauaki has never received big plaudits from the present panel.
That is all in the future; Thorne's focus is on the French and today.
"The coaches have their plans and they will let us know, that is the way I look at it," Thorne said in his phlegmatic manner.
There has always been another theory about Thorne too: that he is much better playing a mountain of games.
But, like the rest of the Cotton Wool Club, he was conditioned for three months before being asked to resume in the last part of the Super 14.
He struggled with that but feels sharp enough today.
"It is not impossible. I had a big break last year when I broke my thumb in the Tri-Nations and had about seven or eight weeks off before I went on tour and played a test against England at Twickenham," he said.
"I think I am far enough ahead of where I was for that test; physically I feel fine.
"By the end of the Super 14, I was feeling fine, certainly a lot better than the start. It did take me longer than I expected to get attuned to the game again.
"It was difficult because we came in late in the series. It felt very disjointed. The lungs took a while to get back into match fitness and I had trouble getting into the rhythm of things."
After eight games, including several at lock, Thorne felt comfortable enough for the semifinal against the Bulls.
Defeat in that match, though, has meant another lull, a mini-break and another hurdle for Thorne to overcome.
At some stage, he will be asked to have a stint at lock, a move that might have been planned this week for him off the bench had Jerry Collins not succumbed to a heel injury.
"Clearly, I am not a specialist lock. I can cover, but I have started matches against Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha. That does not hold any fears for me.
"I am comfortable about the scrummaging and lineout stuff. I prefer to go from six to lock during a game rather than the other way round because lock takes a lot out of your legs; you lose your sharpness."
Thorne had his selection glitches with the All Blacks in 2000-01 and 2004-05 but each return seemed sweeter.
"Without a doubt," he said. "Last year was out of the blue; it was really special. Pulling on that jersey again and playing the first test against the Springboks was surreal."
Before that recall, Thorne had signed on again with the NZRU until the end of next year.
"It is the game I love and I am happy in New Zealand.
"I am bloody lucky to be doing this, I have made good friends and the alternative overseas never really grabbed me, not unless I get an offer I can't refuse."
