Centre Conrad Smith, a passionate football fan, encouraged most members of the squad to stay up and watch the All Whites' 1-1 draw with Slovakia on television yesterday morning.
Assistant coach Wayne Smith said the All Blacks were boosted by the success of any other New Zealand athletes on the international stage.
When the All Blacks were in Cape Town in 2008, they watched the Evers-Swindell twins win a rowing gold medal at the Beijing Olympics.
"The next day we beat the Springboks 19-0," Smith said.
"It definitely helped the team perform."
While everyone was celebrating an All Whites draw, Smith knows the reaction will be quite different if the All Blacks fail to beat the Welsh this weekend.
"We are expected to win every game and the players have to be at their best to do that," he said.
"That is the challenge for the new guys. It is a great environment to coach because the expectations are so high.
That has kept the All Blacks strong for 100 odd-years.
"The pressure and expectations don't lessen. We are acutely aware of our responsibility to the All Black jersey.
"It creates pressure, but that is why we do it. We are passionate about the jersey and privileged to be part of it."
Smith conceded it was now rare for the All Blacks to make only one change to their starting XV from one test to the next.
Victor Vito for Jerome Kaino is the only change to the team that beat Ireland last week.
"There were five new caps and they all performed," Smith said.
"It is unusual to have so many new caps. We have given them another crack to see if they can step up to another level."
Smith has been impressed by the high skill level shown by the new caps.
"We will be able to make a better assessment of their ability after a few more games."
Players in the New Zealand Maori and Barbarian teams, such as Otago's Ben Smith, were still in the frame, Wayne Smith said.
The coach will watch Ben Smith play for Green Island against Harbour in club rugby at Miller Park on Saturday.
"Ben is a young player whom we signalled that we like by taking him on tour last year," Smith said.
"His versatility is an attraction. My gut feeling is that he his best in the midfield but can also play at wing and fullback."
Smith praised Highlanders fullback Israel Dagg for his effort on debut against Ireland last weekend.
"He coped with international rugby and I feel he will go on from here," Smith said.
Smith had a chat with Dagg last year about his physical condition.
"Highlanders coaches Pete Russell and Glenn Moore sat in on that interview and have followed up what we said."
Smith said head coach Graham Henry was coaching better than any time since being appointed to the All Black panel.
"He loves the strategic role and that is spilling over to to the rugby field in hands-on coaching," Smith said.
"Graham's a great strategist and reads the game better than anyone else I know. He is getting better with age."
Meanwhile, Smith confirmed yesterday All Blacks management was considering a request by unwanted winger Zac Guildford to play club rugby in Ranfurly, Stuff website reported.
Guildford was keen to join Tom Donnelly's Matakanui Combined side to face Maniototo tomorrow afternoon.
Lock Donnelly has also failed to make the national side as he recovers from an ankle injury.
Smith said the All Blacks were awaiting confirmation from within the Central Otago competition that Guildford, from Hawkes Bay, would be allowed to play.
