It is halfway through the international season, and that big tournament is less than a month away. Rugby writer Steve Hepburn looks at where the All Blacks are at, what - if anything - has to be done, what the stumbling blocks are and who is still in contention.
• Overheating
Dan Carter: hard to see how he could have played any better in past two tests.
Ma'a Nonu: answered the challenge emphatically.
• Bubbling away
Conrad Smith: missed a tackle against Fiji and done nothing wrong since.
Piri Weepu: when playing on instinct, few are better.
• Warming up
Richie McCaw: improving all the time, but needs more games.
Ali Williams: not yet back to 2008 form though getting better.
• Tepid
Liam Messam: needs a big one if picked in the next two games.
Sonny Bill Williams: the big man has to get on the field and turn a few heads.
• Questions
1 Does the word "intelligence" always have to be quoted when Conrad Smith is under discussion?
2 Why is there no heat on Blues coach Pat Lam for running Keven Mealamu and Jerome Kaino into the ground in the Super 15?
3 How many cameras do you need to cover a rugby game? Stick a couple on halfway and just show us the action.
4 Just why did the NZRU bend over backwards to get Luke McAlister back here?
• Life in the fast lane
The plan appears to be, er, going to plan.
The All Blacks had a run-out against Fiji where a bit of rust was exposed but they still won by 60 points.
Then they ran over a half-fit and disorganised Springbok unit, before sending the cocky Aussies back over the ditch with their tails firmly between their legs.
Nothing beats a team playing accurately and at pace. Big, strong, quick men, playing with confidence is a very good combination.
• Don't take it easy
So much in sport is about momentum. Get on the wrong side of it and it can be harder to shift than a Syrian politician.
So the two games left the All Blacks have to play before the big tournament starts are important.
There is talk of resting players, leaving guys at home.
That is all well and good and there is a strong argument for it.
But, really, was that not the reason the All Blacks faltered at the last World Cup?
Never had their best team playing together often enough.
A minor change here or there may be acceptable and to get some players match-fit. But wholesale changes should not be carried out.
Win the next two, and win them well, and even more doubts lurking in the back of the mind should disappear, although not go completely.
• Peaceful, easy feeling
They say the first person you pick in a rugby team is your goal-kicker.
Graham Henry must be sleeping nice and easy at night for not only is his kicker in form, but Dan Carter has been the best player on the field.
Carter appears to be coming into form nicely, on both attack and defence, with the hope he can keep it going for another 10 weeks.
• New kid in town
Jarrad Hoeata was the only new cap in the All Blacks this year and he must be looking over his shoulder and seeing if Anthony Boric is coming over the mountain. Boric played well on last year's tour and, if he can get fit, which is a big question mark, he may force himself into the side.
Colin Slade appears to have won the battle to back up Carter in the No 10 jersey, while the five outside backs picked will probably be Mils Muliaina, Israel Dagg, Hosea Gear, Sitiveni Sivivatu and Isaia Toeava.
Tough on those that miss out but such is the quality of candidates.
Loosehead prop Wyatt Crockett may also be culled when favourite Tony Woodcock becomes available.
Liam Messam could be in danger after a not totally convincing game against Fiji with big Chief Victor Vito charging into view.
• One of these nights
So, four weeks out from the kick-off of the tournament which to so many is the only one that matters, the All Blacks appear to be in the prime position.
But a word of warning.
Those same words could have been written in 1995, 1999, 2003 and 2007.
Winning a knockout tournament comes down to so many things: injuries, Wayne Barnes, weather, form lapses, build-up, Wayne Barnes, sickness, transport problems, Wayne Barnes.
But really, the most crucial ingredient is luck.
The All Blacks are in a good position. No doubt about that.
But they have been here before.
Throw in that ounce of luck, which every team has to have, and it may be that after all these years one night in October could be one to remember.
