Cullen says the current team is likely to feel excitement rather than pressure playing at home.
"I would love to have played a World Cup in New Zealand because the All Blacks are so tough to beat here. I've definitely got a bit of that '87 feeling going on but if we lose, I don't know what will happen; a lot of New Zealanders seem reasonably confident again. Quarter-finals and semifinals are just so cut-throat.
"I hope [we can handle defeat] - I guess we've got used to it. I know it's easy for me to say but in the end, it is just another game of rugby. The sun will still come up the next day. There are a lot worse things going on in the world than not winning the World Cup. People will be disappointed if it doesn't happen but that's my attitude."
The 35-year-old has some recommendations to the selectors from his experience of getting shuffled from fullback to wing and finally to centre during the 1999 season.
"Yes, yes [no dramatic positional switches] and no big injuries to key players, please. Obviously Dan Carter's the key because his back-up is struggling. McCaw is hard to replace as a leader but playing-wise the loosies can cover him."
Former All Blacks captain Reuben Thorne debuted in 1999; captained New Zealand to the 2003 World Cup and was in the stands as part of the 2007 squad when they lost to France in Cardiff. He has coached and played in Japan since but his most recent rugby foray was playing for Canterbury and helping them to a fourth straight provincial title. Thorne (36) is enjoying being away from the sense of expectation.
"Hopefully I can sit back as a spectator and enjoy the show. I know a lot of teams get written off but I think the World Cup is more open than in the past. It is quite exciting having it in New Zealand and being able to enjoy it for the spectacle, rather than feeling the pressure.
"Take the crowd support, especially for the Ireland-Australia game. It was amazing; a bit like a soccer match with them all going for it. The smaller stadiums and provinces have also been well supported."
With anticipation building for the All Blacks, Thorne has some advice he would not have previously doled out: "In the past [when I've been involved], the All Blacks have tried to stay away from the hype and stay focused on their job but I think, with the energy that's building in the country, they've got to use that to go all the way this time."
Robertson's World Cup experiences are limited - he began his All Blacks career in 1998 and played his last test in 2002. He went to the 1999 tournament and played just 22 minutes, scoring a try during the 101-3 rout of Italy.
However, the 37-year-old knows a bit about pressure on the All Blacks. Robertson's safe hands helped him score the match-winning try out wide in 2001 to beat Argentina 24-20 in Buenos Aires and preserve their unbeaten record.
As an assistant coach with Canterbury these days, Robertson's main gripe is how much the tournament has by-passed Christchurch in the wake of the earthquakes.
"It is pretty disappointing, to be honest. After going to the Argentina vs England game in Dunedin, you could not help but notice how much we [the people of Christchurch] are missing out, not just with the rugby but also the business opportunities and flow-on effects. There are still a lot of people hurting as to where they go next and a lot of questions to be answered.
"It's a shame we can't get involved more. Dunedin was fantastic. The stadium is impressive for the money spent; it seems to make the people proud. I wish that was in Christchurch."
