KEY POINTS:
Global warming has plenty of New Zealanders worried. So do rising interest rates and their inability to cool the housing market. But really, three months out from the World Cup, what worries this nation most is the health of Daniel Carter.
Hearts and hopes will be hard to repair if the droopy-eyed Cantabrian somehow can't weave his magic in France this year.
Which puts Nick Evans, the man entrusted as Carter's back-up, in an unenviable position.
It's hard to feel confident in yourself when no one else is. It's hard to feel you belong in a team when everyone keeps telling you that you are merely borrowing Carter's jersey.
Hard maybe, but not impossible. Evans feels no trepidation and doesn't question why he's in the 30-man squad. His mission is not to cover up as best he can. It is to put the heat on Carter and even nudge past him.
"He's pretty good, he goes all right," he says of his first five rival with a big smile. "But I want to be number one. I wouldn't be doing this job if I was happy to settle for being number two. I want to be the best I can be.
"The challenge for me is to get DC's jersey. I don't think I have got anything to leave New Zealand for. My goal is to get his jersey off his back and put it on mine."
His mind-set is born partly of bitter experience, of what happens to individuals who don't set their goals high enough. In 2004 Evans forced his way into test frame with polished work at the Highlanders, only to slide out the back door when his form slipped following his return to North Harbour colours.
Being left out hurt and served the most a painful reminder that becoming an All Black was nowhere near as hard as remaining one.
Evans has smartly deduced that he has to deliver every time he has the chance, as on the end of season tour in 2005 when he was a late replacement for Luke McAlister.
He impressed in tests against Ireland and Scotland and, when he finally overcame a hamstring niggle on last year's European venture, he made a dramatic, line-breaking entrance.
Again, last week, he brought some energy and directness when he replaced the injured Carter.
"There is no love around," he says. "They pick the best team and if you are not performing, you miss out. It happened to me in 2005. I was in the team in 2004, wasn't performing and I didn't get picked the next year. The pressure is there and when it comes on I know it is up to me.
"I think I play more consistent football in the All Black jersey. The thing is, the All Black environment offers so many opportunities for guys to better themselves. The coaching set-up is so good and it is a thriving environment for more knowledge and more skill-set. You have to be a bad player to come in here and not perform to your best. It is so professional and accessible for anything you need."
His reference to the professionalism of the environment and thirst for excellence could be construed as a pop at the Highlanders franchise, his base for the last four seasons.
Evans won't have a bar of that, though. He's insistent his move South launched his test career and that Dunedin will keep a bit of his heart.
True as that is, it doesn't acknowledge the reality. The Highlanders gave Evans a platform when the Blues ignored his talents but it was never a platform of real stability.
In four years he didn't get a sniff at Super play-offs, and carried an enormous burden as the sole playmaker.
With Anton Oliver, Clarke Dermody, Carl Hayman, Filipo Levi and Josh Blackie departing, goodness knows how the Highlanders will fare.
Evans had to make a decision about his future that was right for him.
"I don't think I was getting bored or complacent or anything like that. I loved Dunedin. I think you have to make decisions on where you want to go. I am a very loyal guy but loyalty only goes so far and you have to make the best decision for you. I felt it was time for me to go.
"I think that a lot of people leaving at the same time really is a pure coincidence. It never factored into my mind that just because these guys decided to go that I would go because it would be really bad.
"I guess some people will say he's jumping ship because the ship is going down. That's not true.
"Obviously they are in a little bit of a predicament but let's not forget Otago have made two semifinals and a final in the last three years. Maybe they will battle a bit next year but hopefully they will come through in the next few years.
"I spent four years down there. I will be turning 27 this year and I thought there was an opportunity to come up to a new environment and a new group of guys."
Evans is the missing piece in the Blues' renaissance. At times this year their need for a tactically astute, big-kicking first five was glaring.
They can pull off the outrageous on dry tracks but are vulnerable when conditions dictate a policy of possession and field position.
Evans can fix that and the only question is whether he will sign for North Harbour or join Auckland.
"I don't think it will make much difference. That's a choice I have to make in the next couple of weeks. It is about seeing where I best fit in. I probably fit into both so it is six of one and half a dozen of the other."
How he would love people to see the choice between him and Carter in the same light.
