KEY POINTS:
Fable has it that William Webb Ellis created the game of rugby in 1823. The truth of that lies buried with Ellis in his grave at Menton, not many kilometres east of the All Blacks' start to the World Cup tomorrow.
While the game has mythical origins, the All Blacks are out to prove they are no tournament hoax, that this group has the ability to emulate their 1987 predecessors and silence George Gregan's "four more years" jibe once and for all.
Many times since then, the All Blacks have left home as close favourites with assertions they have never been better prepared and each time they have failed to claim the Webb Ellis Cup.
As the failures stacked up, so did the derision from rivals who seized on the choker's tag in rare opportunities to taunt the world's most successful rugby nation. "Choker" was too rich a description, except perhaps in 1999, but it was not often the rest of the rugby globe got to mock the men in black.
One New Zealand company has four unpublished All Black World Cup titles gathering warehouse dust, reminders of the quadrennial disappointment in Europe twice, South Africa and Australia. The same company has commissioned a writer, with permission from the All Blacks, to record this sixth World Cup and, with it, the hope they can unveil a winning tome. Several other publishers are doing likewise.
The burden could not be greater as the New Zealand Rugby Union has based its strategies around a World Cup success.
The All Blacks have played some strong rugby, and should not be in any great trouble in their section, as the quality of the other contenders is not at the same level.
A Lay Down Misere then for a triumph in late October in Paris?
Not on historical evidence, especially when an opponent can play a one-off belter in the sudden-death playoffs.
So for a month the All Blacks will have to rise and fall with the tempo of the tournament, soak up the atmosphere, manage their time well, work hard on their game and their unity as they sort out Italy, Portugal, Scotland and Romania.
Then it will be into the business end of the tournament. Today is the start of that extended agenda, a match which may be the toughest the All Blacks encounter in their group.
Italy have some form and plenty of forward muscle. They came close to beating Ireland a few weeks back and they have improved under coach Pierre Berbizier in the Six Nations.
"We can put pressure on in the scrums and lineout and that is where we must start," said loosehead prop Salvatore Perugini.
Three years ago, Italy seemed to be caste in awe for the opening quarter against the All Blacks, who cantered away to a 59-10 win in Rome. It was a lesson captain Marco Bortalami and his side have not forgotten.
"We are going to defy the All Blacks everywhere and I don't think we will be watching them. We want to repeat how we played against Ireland recently."
Berbizier is a low-key coach, keen on basic structures, who has an experienced core group who play in the French or English clubs - a heavy, strong pack, basic backline and steady goalkicker.
It is a formula which has worked and will test the All Blacks, who have played little rugby since the Tri-Nations ended seven weeks ago. If they make the repeated handling errors which have blighted some of their games this season they will struggle.
However, if the passes stick and the set piece is secure, the All Blacks would produce some startling play in hot weather at the Stade Velodrome in Marseille.
Graham Henry has chosen a XV which is close to his best. If they fire, the other contenders for the Webb Ellis Cup will feel more tremors, but if there are messy stumbles, it will give those sides extra optimism.
So it becomes crucial to start well. That will put the onus squarely back on the All Blacks' rivals and will also set benchmarks for the rest of the squad to emulate next week against Portugal.
There will be a serious test of the resurrected midfield combination of Luke McAlister and Conrad Smith, the dependable qualities of Keven Mealamu and Doug Howlett and what sort of impact the Waikato pair of Brendon Leonarda and Sione Lauaki can make from the bench.
The hope must be that the bulk of the after-match discussion does not centre on the interpretations of referee Wayne Barnes and his match officials.
