KEY POINTS:
For days, the All Blacks have been beating themselves up about their Bledisloe Cup defeat at the MCG: tonight they need to go out and thump the Springboks.
The coaches have spoken about the lack of mental sharpness in Melbourne, captain Richie McCaw has mentioned his disappointing last-quarter leadership and the side has been stewing about the 20-15 loss.
For Luke McAlister, it was the first test defeat he had experienced as a starting All Black. As all those disappointments were absorbed, a supplement in the local newspaper had a cover story about Gilbert Enoka, the side's mental skills coach.
"I want all the players to be able to tap into their best skills and selves at that crucial moment," he said.
"Too often, the mental side of a player's performance is overlooked. I believe it is a window through which the physical skills can be assessed."
After the opening Bledisloe Cup loss, Enoka's words have a heavier tone about them as the All Blacks set themselves for the Springboks. The coaches and Enoka have been working towards the World Cup since 2004.
There have been few blips in the results sheet but the lack of tactical acumen against the Wallabies was a mental clanger. Several times, the All Blacks have escaped victorious because of the individual brilliance of some backs.
That method deserted them in Melbourne. They did not close the game down, they did not deliver percentage rugby to maintain their halftime lead.
Enoka and the coaches are fortunate their rivals tonight have brought a second-rate side. The result should be inevitable otherwise, as Springbok coach Jake White pointed out, it will be a national disaster.
But it will be the style, methods, accuracy and concentration that will be the judgment areas for the All Blacks. They need to tighten up, to imagine they are playing at the sharp end of the World Cup where crunchy work rather than frilly rugby will be demanded.
"We must go forward before we go sideways" has been a regular chant from the All Blacks as they try to get the most from their gifted set of backs.
All the changes do not make that task easier but the coaching staff are confident their selection switches are seamless.
Hooker Keven Mealamu is the only real ball-carrying danger in the pack unless McCaw, Chris Jack and Rodney So'oialo are given more of that responsibility.
The rest are the workhorse types like Keith Robinson and Reuben Thorne; players the selectors feel are best suited to dull the Springboks' physical approach.
Behind the pack, Daniel Carter has to strike up an accord with new halfback Piri Weepu before he can ramp up his own contribution while the Boks have vowed to give young centre Isaia Toeava a grilling.
This is his first test since damaging his shoulder in Durban and he aggravated the problem this week in training. Some rush defence and collisions with the Boks will examine Toeava's nerve after his fine Super 14 season.
Strangely, Joe Rokocoko has been rested after playing little rugby and new father Doug Howlett is the beneficiary in what is probably his fitness test for the World Cup squad.
If referee Stu Dickinson and the weather forecast continue to co-operate, there will again be no excuses for the All Blacks.
The Springboks have left more than 20 of their top players at home. This travelling band has some handy replacements but they lack combinations and have little attack apart from lineout drives and intercepts.
This is a night for a mission statement from the All Blacks.
