KEY POINTS:
So it has come to this. The 48th test in Graham Henry's quest for the World Cup since he started his campaign against the titleholders England at Carisbrook in 2004.
The search has reached Cardiff with a quarter-final hurdle against hosts France.
Six of the side - Mils Muliaina, Joe Rokocoko, Daniel Carter, Richie McCaw, Keith Robinson and Carl Hayman - which started in that Carisbrook test will take the field at Millennium Stadium.
Two of them, Carter and Muliaina are in new positions. Four others, Tony Woodcock, Jerry Collins, Byron Kelleher and Ali Williams were in Henry's initial squad.
There is stacks of experience in the All Blacks now. All the backs have played more than 20 tests, and only Woodcock in the forwards, with 36 caps and injury-prone Robinson with 11 have played fewer than 40 internationals.
Pretty much a complete unit then, or as complete as it can be in a sport where the unknown is always about players' mental and emotional readiness for the contest.
Once the All Black scrum began to reassert itself, the main areas of uncertainty have been about the lineout and midfield.
The lineout seems to have settled in the last year after some over-elaborate moves were stripped away, but midfield, and especially centre, has been an unresolved selection since Tana Umaga's retirement in 2005.
Sunday will be the 25th test since Umaga's exit and during that time, just once, at Eden Park this year, has the same second five-eighths and centre combination been carried over from the previous test.
There have been reasons aplenty for the mix and match moves.
Rotation for one would be Henry's theme even though some appear to require much more of that than others. Injuries have been involved, a lack of form and trips to Argentina and South Africa where alternate sides were sent ahead.
Even allowing for some of that, it does seem the search has gone on without making massive headway.
Four players have been picked at second five-eighths in those 25 tests - Ma'a Nonu, Sam Tuitupou, Luke McAlister and Aaron Mauger - with Mauger and McAlister sharing the bulk of the duties.
The statistics are more complex at centre. Six players have worn the No 13 jersey - Casey Laulala, Nonu, McAlister, Conrad Smith, Isaia Toeava and Mils Muliaina. This weekend against France, Muliaina will equal the eight times Toeava has started at centre during Henry's reign. Eight out of 25 is not blanket approval for either, though Muliaina has been playing fullback for the rest of the time.
What does it prove? Probably nothing at Cardiff if the French backline continues its peculiar form but if things go pear-shaped, there will be hefty reproaches.
Muliaina was genuinely surprised when told he was at centre this weekend. "I thought he [coach Henry] was going to tell me I wasn't playing," he said.
The 27-year-old has been spelled for a couple of weeks because of a hamstring twinge he suffered early against Portugal. But he is one of Henry's automatic picks, he is part of the spine of this side.
"I've done a lot [to bulk up] this year because I have been injured. I worked my hardest ever this year. I've eaten a lot more than what I'm used to. I've sustained being at 93kg this year," he said.
He also brings the experiences of the 2003 World Cup, something he considers invaluable for most of the squad.
"It's very important. If you think too much down the line, you never know, we could be going home next week. Other teams that didn't make the quarter-finals, it's not a nice feeling. I know what they are going through."
If the All Blacks survive this sudden-death weekend, Muliaina is unsure whether he will stay at centre.
"I've just got to nail this week and make sure I get it right. I don't play too far ahead. For me it's just a case of looking at this week and going out there and doing the best I can.
"We expect anything from France. Yes, they have kicked a lot, but have been running the ball too. You haveto keep on your toes, don't lay off. If you think they will kick it, they will run it."
