KEY POINTS:
If there is a poisonous backlash after the World Cup, the All Blacks have agreed they will face it together.
Unlike previous World Cup campaigns, the All Blacks have decided the whole squad and management will return from France on the same flight.
After the unsuccessful campaigns of 1999 and 2003 the players were free to stay in the host country and make their way home at their leisure. That approach left some of those who returned to New Zealand immediately after the tournament fielding the brunt of the country's venom.
Under coach Graham Henry the All Blacks have put a major emphasis on team unity and responsibility.
Manager Darren Shand said the players wanted to maintain a united stand right through to the end of the World Cup.
All 30 players and the 16-strong management and support team will, therefore, fly home on October 22.
"That was decided by management, the players and the NZRU," said Shand. "We thought it was important that we come back as a team. Regardless of the outcome, we thought it was important that we were united right to the end.
"That's just what this group has decided to. We feel it is the right thing to do."
The All Blacks are acutely aware that the public fall-out in 1999 was particularly severe when New Zealand unexpectedly crashed out in the semifinal to France.
Coach John Hart felt the brunt of the nation's outrage and he received several threats, one of which claimed his horse would be killed. Hart was vilified beyond reason despite the fact he actually resigned before flying home and baggage handlers at Auckland Airports scribbled 'loser' on Justin Marshall's luggage.
In 2003, after once again tumbling out in the semifinal, there was more adverse public reaction. Coach John Mitchell came under fire even from his own bosses who claimed he had been poor in managing his responsibilities off the field.
Captain Reuben Thorne also copped plenty of criticism with many questioning his leadership and some even wondering why he was in the team at all.
If the 2007 mission is unsuccessful, the All Blacks feel they need to deal with the backlash as a united front and not leave isolated individuals to fan the fires.
The All Blacks are, of course, hoping they will be returning to celebrate winning the World Cup for the first time in 20 years.
While some local bodies in the past have prematurely talked about potential celebration events, the All Blacks have never made any advanced plans on how best to toast their victory.
It is understood the All Blacks have no tentative celebration plans and will consider festivities only if they actually win the World Cup.
