Judgement day has arrived. It has been a long time coming for three men in particular, but after 101 tests and eight years, the tenure of Graham Henry, Steve Hansen and Wayne Smith will be defined by 80 minutes of rugby at Eden Park tomorrow night.
They have racked up 86 wins in those 101 tests since starting in 2004, but to most New Zealanders that statistic is about as relevant as the Hungarian exchange rate.
After 24 years of hurt and anguish, the World Cup is all that matters.
The side failed miserably in 2007 at the last World Cup through a combination of tactics, off-field decisions and refereeing blunders, and once the trio, headed by Henry, was re-appointed, winning the next tournament was all that mattered.
Hansen admitted as much this week, and every New Zealander agrees.
This is not the final - that comes next Sunday - but the semifinal against rival Australia looms as the key match.
The final, if - and that is a big if - New Zealand makes it, will be more about adrenaline and skill.
Tomorrow night's match is about channelling the energy, keeping a calm head while others are losing theirs and nailing every opportunity which comes along.
The All Blacks must be completely ruthless, and not rush things like they did last week against Argentina.
The start will be important - it always is - as will making the most of the side's advantage in the tight five.
Henry admitted he was moving into unknown territory playing in a World Cup semifinal.
"You just don't go through these experiences before. I have not coached in a semifinal, or final before. It is a big game of rugby and you have got to do things right each time and a function to fulfil to do the job right for Sunday," Henry said.
"It is important you do not get to Sunday now. It is about making every little step count and do it properly. Once you start thinking about the future, the game, or the past, then they are just a distraction.
"We know what the situation is. We have got this huge game this weekend and if we are not focused this weekend, then we never will be.
"I think there is a quiet focus there. The guys are probably a bit quieter than normal but this is the biggest game the guys are going to play in maybe 10 years."
He said it was hard to tell whether the team was in the right frame before a match.
"Sometimes you are wrong. That is the frustrating thing. You cannot guarantee you can put your finger exactly on the right pulse. But there is a quiet focus there, a quiet determination."
He was not buying into any personal rivalry between himself and Wallabies coach Robbie Deans, who unsuccessfully challenged Henry for the All Black coaching position after the last World Cup.
"He is a good coach, a good man. To me it is not personal. It could be the Prime Minister of Australia, Mrs Gillard, coaching the side. It is one team playing another team in a game of sport and we are trying to do a good job. It is as simple as that, isn't it?
"We want to win this cup. It could be South Africa, England or whoever. You need to win this week and next week and you win the cup. Simple as that, really.
"It happens to be Australia. They are big brother to us. As far as this rugby tournament is concerned ... I don't think it is any different than playing anyone else."
Henry tweaked the back three in naming his side yesterday, bringing back Richard Kahui and Israel Dagg, who did not play in the quarterfinal win over Argentina because of injury.
Aaron Cruden was named to start at first five-eighth, with Stephen Donald in the reserves.
Jimmy Cowan misses out altogether, with Andy Ellis named as the back-up halfback.
Henry said Ellis was simply in better form than Cowan, though the Southland halfback was still a vital part of the group.
Adam Thomson has not got over a nagging ankle injury he picked up against France three weeks ago, and was not available.
The All Blacks have not lost at Eden Park to any side since 1994 and the Wallabies have not won at the ground for 25 years.
The sides have faced each other 12 times since then and the All Blacks are hoping it is not unlucky number 13 tomorrow night.
Showers are forecast for Auckland tomorrow.
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