KEY POINTS:
You can always tell when a rugby World Cup is at hand. Strange things start to happen in this country. People get tetchy where usually good humour exists. Rugby moments get analysed to death.
We've been arriving at this point since 1991 when an ageing All Black team
were rumbled in Dublin by a savvy Australia, inspired by David Campese, in the semifinals.
It happened again in South Africa in 1995 and - for those who wear these defeats on their sleeve - most traumatically at Twickenham in 1999 and Sydney four years later in semis which seemed impossible to lose.
And all the time this magnificent obsession grows. Obsessions are generally unhealthy.
Former Wallaby coach Eddie Jones opined a few days ago that if the All Blacks win this World Cup they'll probably win the next two or three. Fail to win in France and the burden, and the obsession, continues to grow.
You could blame Dave Gallaher and his Originals mob for this. After all, they started it by forging an outstanding record in 1905. Standards were set. Expectations were locked on to high.
The Invincibles 19 years later didn't help either. And once the South Africans of 1956 were toppled, and that particular ogre had been slain for the first time, there haven't been many defeats. Generally, they've merited a national inquiry.
There was a lengthy debate on Radio Sport this week: did listeners share Graham Henry's view that winning the World Cup with a dour style which relied on penalties but got the job done, was not on? That his players would be bored rigid if they couldn't express themselves.
Henry didn't go as far as to say he'd rather not win it if that's what was required, but there was a clear message: we want to do it our way and damn the torpedoes. Most callers shared Henry's view.
Brazil's place at the pinnacle of soccer is partly because of their World Cup record of five titles, but also for their style. Brazilians demand exhilaration, panache and entertainment.
One of the teams they hold closest to their hearts was that of 1982, a side laden with talented players like Zico, Socrates and Falcao.
They could play like a dream (one All White who faced them in Seville reckoned they never called to each other for the ball, it was all instinct; they knew where their nearest teammate was) but instead got lazy in their knockout match against a workmanlike, rugged Italy and lost 3-2. Italy won the cup, but Brazil at least lost without parting from the qualities which define them.
Thinking back to Jones' words, you admire Henry's sentiments but wonder if, for the sake of four more years and the yoke growing ever heavier, a dose of pragmatism might be preferable just to get the job done.
Tomorrow the most predictable All Black squad in years will be unveiled as the men charged with ending 20 years of obsession.
In the last few weeks, the All Blacks have heard a variety of voices raise doubts over whether they are on track to win the Webb Ellis Cup. This also happens every four years. It's as if South Africa, Australian or English accents are able to needle, to raise doubts as well as hackles. Supporters start to see shadows; the nation starts to wonder.
The All Blacks could win the World Cup without being at their best. They began the year streets clear of their best opponents. Sure the gap may be closing but Henry is nothing if not meticulous. He'd have anticipated this.
Tim Horan, the great Wallaby back, this week reckoned the All Blacks will win every match from tonight until the World Cup final. Notice he didn't actually say they'd win the final. And what if Australia win at Eden Park tonight? Old hands will simply shrug and mutter "here we go again" as the furniture starts flying.
