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It has been a decade and 24 tests since the All Blacks were beaten in Europe.

Graphs and statistics are essential tools for test rugby coaches and the All Blacks will be appreciating their injury spreadsheets.

International rugby sides are not expected to win tests without the ball and it is rare when the opposite occurs.

Aaron Cruden was a massive part of the Chiefs' triumphant campaign but the five-eighths is struggling to make the same All Black imprint.

The 21-year-old has been shielded from too much attention in his first year of test rugby, but yesterday he got in some practice for what lies across the ditch on Saturday from the Wallabies.

Pictures scattered around the walls of the All Black team room give them some idea of the passion involved in playing the Pumas.

Former coach Graham Henry believes the gap will widen between the All Blacks and Wallabies for their return Bledisloe Cup meeting at Eden Park.

Sporting knights Sir John Kirwan and Sir Graham Henry are well known in Blues country, Mick Byrne has grown in exposure but Grant Doorey is a new name for the rugby community to digest.

The spine of any rugby team, the No 8, halfback and five eighths, is usually a key to their results.

Only six Wallabies return from their last test with the All Blacks to begin a Bledisloe Cup series which has been stretched to a three-game format.

The Chiefs will give captain Craig Clarke several more days to prove his injured knee can stand up to the Super 15 final.

Pre-season the Chiefs set some goals about making the Super 15 playoffs and claiming their first championship.

Lineouts are the Rubiks Cube of professional rugby, a puzzle some can unlock and others never quite master.

The Chiefs are working through the unknown.

The Chiefs are looking to former skipper Mils Muliaina to fill their midfield vacancy next season.

Sonny Bill Williams' departure leaves some head-scratching for the All Black selectors as they eye up midfield contenders for the Rugby Championship and end-of-year tour to Europe.

There was no collusion in the match-up - no manipulation was needed. The Chiefs against the Crusaders is top-shelf footy and features such as Sam Cane squaring off against Richie McCaw come with the territory.

Take a poll of your mates, ask at the rugby club or tune into the nation's bookmakers - there is a consensus that the All Blacks will beat the Irish soundly in tonight's final test in Hamilton.

The Blues are the immediate focus but the NZRU has set itself the wider task of fixing rugby in Auckland.