KEY POINTS:
The guffaws are still being heard in some parts of New Zealand as people recall the excesses of the 2005 Lions tour.
Never mind the 45 originals who started in the red jerseys on the Power of None tour, it was the 29 ancillary staff including a lawyer, chef and spin doctor who provoked the most mirth.
But a trawl through the All Blacks and their entourage at the World Cup finds they're almost reaching the Lions' bloated labour force levels.
If you count the NZRU top brass, president Andy Leslie, chairman Jock Hobbs, chief executive Chris Moller and his successor Steve Tew, who have been in attendance for big chunks of the campaign in France, Scotland and Wales, the All Blacks' staff ranks have swollen to 27.
It is understood that group is being funded by the IRB but they are, naturally, with the squad where possible.
Tack on the permissible 30 players and the roadshow peaks at 57 to neatly match the number of days they hope to be involved at this World Cup.
World Cup rules allow countries to bring a squad of 30 players and 15 staff, whose travel and accommodation are covered by Rugby World Cup. The cost of any other staff have to be met by individual countries.
With those numbers and the New Zealand Rugby Union having a full board meeting this week in Cardiff and player bonuses on the line if the side qualifies for the semifinals, the World Cup expenditure is substantial.
The All Blacks did manage one pre-tournament dispensation when organisers agreed to cover a chunk of the tab the All Blacks accrued in their few days in Corsica before their tournament started in Marseille. RWC accepted it was impractical to ask the All Blacks to fly halfway around the world and step straight into the public glare on day one in France.
Who are these men and one woman riding shotgun to the All Blacks?
The official party of 15 which is listed in programmes, starts with the familiar coaching and selection group of Graham Henry, Steve Hansen, Wayne Smith and Sir Brian Lochore.
Manager Darren Shand and scrum guru Mike Cron are perhaps the next household names to anyone who follows the sport, while former AFL player Mick Byrne, who was with the Wallabies when they won the 1999 World Cup and has worked with the Springboks and Scotland, is the specialist skills and kicking coach.
Dr Deb Robinson has headed the medical team for the past two years. She was medical officer for New Zealand at the 2000 Olympics, 2002 and 2006 Commonwealth Games.
Muscle therapist George Duncan worked with Henry and his Auckland and Blues side in the 1990s and started with the All Blacks in 2004.
The physiotherapy is in the hands of Peter Gallagher who brings experience from the rugby, triathlon and Winter Olympic areas.
Graham Lowe joined in 2004 as head strength and conditioning coach after stints with the Highlanders, Hurricanes and Blues. He is assisted by Ashley Jones, who worked with Canterbury and the Crusaders.
Long-time baggageman Errol Collins or 'Poss', as he is known, spent 14 years trailing round after Canterbury and the Crusaders before he linked up with the All Blacks.
Video and technical analyst Andrew Sullivan rejoined the All Blacks last year, while media manager Scott Compton had worked previously with the US national side.
The extra support staff list is headed by former provincial midfield back Steve Cottrell who joined the NZRU in 2000. He has legal and commerce degrees and was involved in organising the 2003 campaign.
Mental skills coach Gilbert Enoka began as a consultant to the All Blacks in 2000 and also works with NZ Cricket and the Silver Ferns, Todd Barbarel is the adidas relationship and licensing manager attached to the side and Marc Weakley handles the website media and video content.
The Lions had a chef but the All Blacks rely on nutritionist Glenn Kearney for guidance, food preparation and overseeing hotel catering, while bio-mechanist Mark Sayers has also been included in the party.
Akli Lafdal has taken leave from teaching in Christchurch to help with the translation and NZRU communications manager Brian Finn arrived this week to swell the contingent.
Add on the IRB-funded quartet of top brass and it is easy to see what a mission it is sometimes to get the show on the road.
