The Last Samurai
One old campaigner (Ali Williams) has already left the building. He may have a few trailing behind him.
If Dane Coles has a blinder tomorrow night then the future is grim for Andrew Hore and Keven Mealamu. Coles will continue to start and one of the other two will be on gardening leave.
Same goes for Tony Woodcock. There are five props in the squad, and only the strongest and fittest may survive.
Eyes Wide Shut
Will the real Ma'a Nonu turn up? For the Highlanders this season, admittedly carrying an injury, Nonu has been less than stellar. But it is odds-on that, surrounded by good players, in front of a big crowd and playing for his country, Nonu will pull out a top-shelf effort.
Once he gets that black jersey on he seems to be a different player. The same goes for Israel Dagg.
We are so often told players can only turn it on for a few games every year. But is this really good enough for professional rugby players?
A Few Good Men
Steven Luatua, Francis Saili and Charles Piutau are new boys and all come from Auckland. So they have had plenty of attention this week. But how good are they?
Piutau may not even get a sniff of a start, and the same goes for Saili, but Luatua looks the goods. Is he going to be the abrasive blindside flanker the country has been looking for since Jerome Kaino went to Japan?
Brad Shields is lurking and there is always someone coming off the never-ending assembly line of big, strong aggressive forwards.
Luatua has the inside running at the moment but he needs to perform.
Mission Impossible
The elephant in the room is how much the All Blacks will miss Richie McCaw.
He has been an ever-present for 12 years, and captain since 2006. But he will not be sighted this series.
Sam Cane is a rare talent but he has huge shoes to fill. Huge. McCaw's ability has grown the six months he has been away from the game.
Everyone remembers the good games in someone's absence. Good luck, Sam. You are going to need it.
Top Gun
As McCaw is missed, this could be an anxious series for the other superstar of New Zealand rugby - Dan Carter.
Carter is slow out of the blocks and every year now seems to be picking up injuries. Plus there is the form of Aaron Cruden, who seems to have brought a new maturity to his play this season.
If Cruden plays well, which he should, Carter may become a little less of a vital cog in the All Black machine.
Don't write him off but he could no longer be the main man in black.
Collateral
The following topics will be discussed - too cold for night rugby in June, the players are exhausted, the French are erratic, McCaw is irreplaceable, Christchurch needs an indoor stadium, everyone is too old, everyone is too young, we have no depth at hooker, second five-eighth or centre, New Plymouth is a great place ...
