While the feeling this side of the Tasman in the All Black camp will be muted but concentrated, it will be nothing like the leaden pessimism surrounding the Wallabies after their latest 27-19 loss in Sydney.
They drew the second half of a mediocre test but looked a team without cohesion, a side with conflicting game plans which did not suit their selections.
Now they have captain David Pocock in doubt with a knee injury as they head for Eden Park, where they have not won since 1986.
"We have to be better, that can't be hard, to be fair," coach Robbie Deans said pithily. "Some of the errors were not acceptable in any competition."
The match was of modest quality. That was shown when referee Alain Rolland blew a merciful end to the contest and his curious officiating.
There had been enormous anticipation in Sydney about the test, as those revved up by the Wallaby marketing machine felt there was a strong hometown chance of success.
In the end the Wallabies withered once more to leave them with three wins and 13 defeats against the All Blacks in Deans' tenure.
They were spooked early by the occasion and suffered in their execution, particularly Kurtley Beale.
The All Blacks also harassed Berrick Barnes relentlessly and, apart from one lapse, nailed shut the running alleys for Will Genia.
Two smart tries came for the All Blacks, twin strikes which had been practised and then produced under pressure in the international arena. For large chunks they were busy and determined but too many errors littered their performance.
"It was not the most perfect game in the world," All Black coach Steve Hansen observed.
He figured both teams struggled with the intensity after a break from test rugby but was chuffed his group denied the Wallabies a bonus point.
All Black loosehead prop Tony Woodcock was the only casualty, with damaged ribs, but there will be others wondering if they have done enough to get another run on Saturday.
Owen Franks has not got back into his best work, the Sonny Bill Williams-Ma'a Nonu partnership did not find great harmony, Liam Messam was mixed on the blindside and there was poor protection for halfback Aaron Smith. He showed what a rocket pass he had with one 35m clearance but too often he was scragged because his forwards left him isolated.
Everyone had a mixed night and the excuse was they were rusty. If they don't lift their work this week that might be amended to a lack of quality.
Israel Dagg, Daniel Carter, McCaw, Luke Romano and Keven Mealamu had better games than others. But the acid will be on.
This is a week when the value of coaching staff and merits of players will be assessed more widely and critiqued deeply.
They have nailed stage one of the Bledisloe defence but have to be much better on Saturday even against a modest Wallaby group.
