Taylor, at 33 and with 88 tests a senior hand in the forwards, has been like a reborn colt this season, charging around the paddock like a younger man.
He has seen off the challenge of young contenders to the No 2 jersey and been one of the few All Blacks to perform consistently well in a misfiring season for the team, and the Crusaders rake takes his role as a veteran seriously.
"You definitely feel like you have an obligation to lead, to sort of fulfil that title," Taylor said in Sydney.
"The great thing is that everyone’s honest. We’ve all got a role to pay. Whatever that is, you’ve just got to nail it.
"I’m definitely enjoying it. I love being a part of this team and this environment.
"I’m taking a lot of pride in working towards my own game and how that can help, but there’s still stuff you want to be better at.
"My game is simple these days. I’ve been around a while now. I get around the field and try to work hard, and anything else comes off that."
The neutral fan will suggest the All Blacks will have a reasonable edge up front when they play the Wallabies on Saturday night.
Taylor is far too smart - and diplomatic - to make any such proclamations.
While he acknowledges the All Blacks will be keen to establish some dominance up front, he feels the Wallabies can be dangerous, and will be a more confident team on home turf.
He is also wary of the influence of former All Blacks scrum guru Mike Cron, who is now in the gold corner.
"He’s done a lot for New Zealand rugby. He’s sort of transcended the game for the All Blacks forward pack.
"He’s a bit of a guru. He always has been. He’s worked tirelessly to make sure he’s innovative in terms of the scrum, and he’ll be looking at ways to target a few opportunities that he may have seen from us."
As for the new Wallabies coach, former Ireland boss and All Blacks assistant Joe Schmidt, Taylor said he had never met someone more passionate about rugby.
The All Blacks have held an iron grip on the Bledisloe Cup for 21 years, but good luck suggesting to Taylor that meant complacency could be an issue this weekend.
"We’re playing Australia - that’s all the edge you need as a Kiwi.
"I’ve got a lot of respect for the boys in that team. But it’s black versus yellow. It’s going to be a hell of a test.
"I suppose there’s that appropriate fear of holding the Bledisloe, but it’s not ours any more. We’ve got to go out there and earn the right, and that’s what this week is about."
Taylor and his team-mates appear to have moved on quickly from the disappointment of losing both tests in South Africa.
He felt the All Blacks were creating opportunities and playing a decent brand of rugby, and the forwards were working hard on some improvements.
"There’s a lot of work going in. Boys are putting their hand up.
"But it’s just a start. We’ve got so much more potential to get out of this team and this pack."
