KEY POINTS:
When Aaron Mauger describes the All Blacks as the "complete package" it sounds more like a statement of fact than a cocky assessment of his side's abilities.
Mauger's confidence comes on the back of an opening half-hour against Italy that the Canterbury second five-eighth describes as the best
execution of a game plan he has been involved in with any team.
The heavyweights of the World Cup have demonstrated contrasting styles in the early rounds of the tournament.
Some, like the Home Nations teams, appear to be still at the shadowboxing stage whereas the Tri-Nations sides have come out throwing hooks and uppercuts from the opening bell.
Mauger, on the eve of New Zealand's second Pool C match against Portugal, said even he was surprised at how well everything clicked into gear during the 76-14 rout of Italy last week.
"We had a really clear focus on how we wanted to start the game and I was a little bit surprised at how easily it came to us but the guys were seeing the space so well and the execution of our game plan, I don't think you could have asked for anything better," Mauger said.
"I don't think I've ever seen it better for about 20 or 30 minutes.
"I think that was reflected on the scoreboard."
Compare that with the fare served up on the opening night when the All Blacks gathered to watch the hosts take on Argentina.
"They were both really similar tactically," Mauger said.
"Really combative up front and then try to kick yourself into good position."
The interest in the tactics of the French and Argentinians was more than just passing observation.
Mauger is one of the guys who has been doing his sums and realises that barring a miracle of Biblical proportions, New Zealand will meet one of those two teams, or Ireland, in the quarter-finals of the World Cup.
Even when faced up against such stodgy opposition, Mauger said there was enough confidence in the All Blacks to keep playing their physical, yet expansive, style.
"One of our strengths is we've got a lot of versatility in our group. If you look across the board we've got a lot of multi-skilled players," the 43-test veteran said.
"When it comes to playing against different teams we can play pretty much any style we want to so when we see strengths and weaknesses of other teams we know how to attack them and we've got the skill level to execute it.
"Without trying to talk ourselves up too much we're a complete package."
But the proof of that will be whether they return home with a certain piece of silverware.
