The All Blacks will arrive in England this weekend, with one mission, and one mission only - to win the World Cup. It will take a total team effort but some of the players are more important than the others. Rugby writer Steve Hepburn picks three players who are vitally important for the World Cup cause.
1 AARON SMITH
He has the most common of surnames but Aaron Smith is a one of a kind for the national game.
The All Blacks want to play an up-tempo, quick and elusive game. For that you need a pocket rocket at halfback to link it all together, a man who is quick of mind, pass and legs.
The little bloke from Manawatu fits the bill.
Four years ago, Smith was the back-up halfback for the Highlanders.
A guy with plenty of promise, who looked to have a string or two to his game and someone who was quick around the field.
He had potential but then, so did others.
But within a season he became a vital cog in the All Blacks wheel.
Remember years ago when every man and his dog used to comment on a certain halfback's pass and its supposed lack of speed.
You will never hear that accusation levelled at Smith.
His pass is a bullet. In a game where space and time is increasingly hard to find, his lightning deliveries can give the backs an inch more space or half a second more time and that is vital for his side.
The 26 year-old has been in fine form this year and his efforts, along with those of his namesake Ben, were a major reason the Highlanders won the Super rugby title.
His kicking game has come on a treat and in the dicey conditions in England, his boot will come into play.
Smith does have the odd bad match. He did not play well when the All Blacks were beaten in Sydney earlier this year, but he was not alone in that regard.
But he is a man for the big occasion. Look at his performance for the Highlanders in the playoff games. Top rate.
If he can link backs and forwards together, the All Blacks are going to be potent.
And one last thing.
Smith is not just heads and shoulders clear of any fellow halfback in New Zealand rugby.
He is light years in front of any other No 9.
If he goes down, and hopefully it will not happen, then the All Black game plan will have to be seriously rewired.
2 BRODIE RETALLICK
Looking at Brodie Retallick off the field, he hardly looks like a man to fear.
In his glasses and the rather gangly gait, Retallick appears to be one of those sort of awkward tall guys who never really fit in.
But he slots into the All Blacks engine room like a smooth running piston firing a Ferrari.
At times it seems hard to believe Retallick is actually only 24 years old.
He plays like a grizzled veteran who has been around since Adam was a cowboy.
He hits rucks with some stinging intensity. His lineout work is first rate.
The man originally from Rangiora knocks guys over and makes it hurt for his opponents, who do not come back for more.
All this is done with an engine that seems to not have an end.
In this day and age, when life is all flash and fancy, Retallick was still good enough last year to come from deep in the engine room to win the world rugby player of the year award and the New Zealand rugby player of the year award.
Like Aaron Smith, he made his debut in 2012 - in fact the duo debuted together against Ireland at Eden Park - and he has impressed ever since.
There are plenty of fancy-pants men out wide for the All Blacks.
But they can not do anything without the ball. With Retallick in the team a steady supply of ball is assured.
3 RICHIE MCCAW
The last hurrah has finally arrived.
In a retirement which has been more telegraphed than a Scottish back move, McCaw is about to leave the stage.
But can he leave it with head held high or has he pushed on just too far?McCaw talked about having to go right to the edge to win the cup.
Can his nearly 35-year-old body do that for a second time in four years?It is tough going but is anyone can, then McCaw can.
He has years and years of experience to call on.
In the last tournament he basically played on a broken foot and still got through it, starring in the semifinal victory against Australia.
But that was four years ago.
Time catches up with everybody.
In any team, the openside flanker is vital. The way the All Blacks play the game this is doubly so.
McCaw has to make sure the continuity works for his side and the team can get to the fourth and fifth phase.
Sam Cane is putting the pressure on, while back home, the likes of Ardie Savea are also waiting in the wings.
With his weary legs, McCaw has probably got about three good games left in him.
Lets hope for the nation's sake they are the quarterfinal, semifinal and final.
