Graham Henry has made only one change to the matchday 22 to take on France in the World Cup final, with Adam Thomson returning to the bench in place of Victor Vito after recovering from the ankle injury he picked up against France four weeks ago.
He plumped for Thomson over Vito because of his greater big-match experience and the inclusion of the Otago flanker sees the squad come into the game with a combined 708 caps.
Seven of the starting XV having already accumulated more than 50 caps. First five-eighths Aaaron Cruden is the least experienced with eight test matches under his belt and fullback Israel Dagg has played 11.
Henry said it wasn't an onerous job picking the side.
"Thirty-three guys have contributed to the group and we would like the 33 to be out there but that's not possible. Picking the same side that played so well against Australia last week wasn't difficult.
"This is the biggest game of the players' lives and there is obvious excitment and anticipation at what lies ahead. To be playing in the final of the World Cup in front of our home crowd is going to be massive and a very special occasion for the team as well as our fans.''
It will be a lot more special if they can win because of the long wait this country has endured to win another World Cup.
But Sunday's match will be the All Blacks' 12th test in the past 14 matches and fatigue would normally be an issue. It's something the All Blacks coaches are mindful of but the enormity of the occasion should take care of any tiredness.
They enjoyed a day off yesterday and will train fully today before the captain's run tomorrow.
"We haven't experienced this before,'' Henry said. "It's finals football. I think they guys have prepared well. Obviously this is our 12th test match in 14 weeks. I don't think that's happened before.
"It's pretty demanding, the constant rugby and the toll it takes on the body and mind. We can't be over-physical at training and we haven't been. We have to prepare accordingly.
"With this France team, we are not sure who's going to turn up, so we are preparing as if the best one will front on Sunday.
"The French forwards are probably as good as any in the competition. Their scrum and lineouts are very good and they have backs capable of hurting you.
"They are enjoying the underdog tag and the ammunition being thrown around by the media. We think they are a very good rugby team with some outstanding players. I think it's going to be a very good final.''
A number of milestones will be achieved by various All Blacks this weekend.
McCaw and fellow loose forwards Jerome Kaino and Kieran Read will become the most-capped loose forward trio in All Black history, playing their 21st test together, one more than the trio of McCaw, Rodney So'oialo and Jerry Collins.
Keven Mealamu will play in his 92nd test, joining All Black great Sean Fitzpatrick as the most-capped All Black hooker and the joint third-most-capped All Black behind McCaw and Mils Muliaina.
At the other end of the scale, Aaron Cruden will be playing in his ninth test for the All Blacks, compared, interestingly, with Grant Fox, who was playing in just his seventh test in the 1987 Rugby World Cup Final, while it was Andrew Mehrtens' sixth test in the 1995 final.
Starting XV:
1. Tony Woodcock (82 tests)
2. Keven Mealamu (91)
3. Owen Franks (30)
4. Brad Thorn (58)
5. Samuel Whitelock (24)
6. Jerome Kaino (47)
7. Richie McCaw - captain (102)
8. Kieran Read (35)
9. Piri Weepu (55)
10. Aaron Cruden (8)
11. Richard Kahui (16)
12. Ma'a Nonu (65)
13. Conrad Smith (54)
14. Cory Jane (30)
15. Israel Dagg (11)
Reserves:
16. Andrew Hore (61)
17. Ben Franks (15)
18. Ali Williams (72)
19. Adam Thomson (24)
20. Andy Ellis (25)
21. Stephen Donald (22)
22. Sonny Bill Williams (13)
- Michael Brown, APNZ