KEY POINTS:
It was starting to dawn on Doug Howlett. He was going to face the haka. He's known for some time, almost a year, that the All Blacks are coming to Munster. But it had never really sunk in that, come Tuesday night (Wednesday morning NZ time), he'd be
standing, proudly wearing his Munster jersey, looking into the eyes of his former team-mates.
"It is certainly dawning on me that I am going to be facing the haka," he said. "A lot of the boys here have been asking me about the All Blacks, what to expect and what it's like being an All Black.
"Certainly there is a massive amount of excitement down here about the game and probably every day somebody will stop me and remind me about 1978."
Howlett should be able to impart a fair bit of knowledge about Munster's opponent. The former Blues and Auckland wing played 62 tests and scored 49 tries in a career that spanned eight seasons.
His statistics are impressive, no question, but they don't quite convey the point that Howlett was a good All Black. A very good All Black who did much more than score tries.
Sure, that was his trump card in his early days when his pace was top drawer and he'd embarrass anyone daft enough to show him the outside. As he matured, though, he became a total footballer _ big on defence and clever in the way he picked his moments to attack.
His reinvention as an auxiliary fullback was only possible because of his professionalism. Howlett didn't shirk the training hours, he looked after himself and never lost the passion.
Given the notoriety he gained a year ago in the days after the World Cup for an incident that was entirely out of character, it's easy to forget just how well he played throughout 2007.
The professional code that Howlett adhered to so religiously and which was responsible for him playing so well last year, is also what prevents him from saying what he most likely feels about the game this week.
His non-selection for the quarter-final would have hurt enormously. To see the All Blacks lose and know he deserved to be there and could have made a difference - that's pain not easily dealt with.
"It was a stage of my life that I have put behind me," he says. "I am in a new environment and you just want to do the best you can. I am treating this game for what it is - a one-off special occasion."
As much as Howlett says he has put the World Cup behind him, and as proud as he is of New Zealand, he wouldn't be human if there wasn't a big part of him playing out scenarios in his head where he is the star player in a famous Munster win.
The chances of that, however, are slim. Or certainly they have been reduced by the Irish Rugby Union's decision to not release test players back to the club.
That will deny Munster their regular tight five, a gnarled unit of experienced thugs who have been instrumental in the club's success these past few years.
"It makes it tougher that we are not going to have 11 or 12 of those guys," says Howlett. "The tight five have been at Munster for a long time and then you have Ronan O'Gara and Peter Stringer so you have this hardened unit who have been through a lot.
"But we carry a squad of 40 players as it is a long season and everyone gets some game time. There is rotation of players because there has to be. We are hoping to get some of the Irish fringe players back and then in the backs we have Rua [Tipoki], Lifeimi [Mafi] and myself who have been involved regularly and we are hoping to get Ian Dowling. So there is still a good side there."
The full Munster team really would be able to push the All Blacks, take them uncomfortably close and maybe even beat them. The club has a spirit and intensity that has seen it grow into one of the most powerful and intimidating sides in Europe.
The trip to Thomond Park is not one that any side relishes and Howlett says he's been taken with the experience so far.
"There is a lot of honesty in the team and it has made my job a lot easier. Paul O'Connell and Ronan O'Gara and other senior players lead the team and that has enabled me to go about my business. I really enjoy the environment.
"The players know how to enjoy themselves and the club is really linked into the community. We enjoy a diverse range of support both at home and away and that is a refreshing part of being over here."
The other part Howlett is enjoying is the access to Europe and the extra time he spends at home. Unlike Super 14, the Heineken Cup doesn't come with a major travel burden. Munster tend to fly to their away venues the night before and often come back the same night they play.
Then there are gaps in the playing calendar during internationals and Howlett has taken the time to fully explore Ireland as well as enjoy weekend breaks to the UK, Spain and Italy.
"It depends on what flight deals come up at the time," he says, "but we have managed to get away quite a lot. I have really noticed the extra time at home and have enjoyed that. I came here with no preconceived ideas and I'm not thinking any further ahead than being here and giving of my best."
