While there have been problems assembling the All Blacks for this slice of history, any levity on judging the players should be parked outside the garlanded gates at Apia Park.
The All Blacks held several camps in Auckland and chose to do all their training in New Zealand, rather than travel earlier to Apia to acclimatise to the oppressive conditions. Conditions and crowd support may not suit them but they need to cope with those hitches.
Those sort of problems will reappear in 72 days when they start their Webb Ellis Cup defence.
The All Blacks are the elite players in this country who produce standards which are a notch above the work of others who inhabit the Super Rugby series. More is expected of these men so the assessments get tougher.
If any leeway is made for those like Israel Dagg and Charles Piutau returning from injury, other teammates may feel they have reasons which impact on their performance. It doesn't matter if players have been injured or that Andy Ellis has not been in this company for three years.
They have been selected as the best fit players in their position. That's how we should judge them.
Hurricanes wing Cory Jane would have been desperate to play in an all too rare Super 15 final with his mates and as a way of parading his credentials to the All Black panel.
However, he knew his hamstring was not in top shape and if he was selfish and played, he was not serving the Hurricanes well.
The focus today will be on the team performance and how players slot into plans the coaches have made for this test, then on how individuals coped with the tactical and skill requirements in their positions.
Hot and sticky won't cut it as excuses, this is an international where the best parade their credentials.
