For Richie McCaw there is no escaping that tonight's match is much more than just an ordinary test.
“It's been a long time coming I guess, and there is a fair bit of excitement, just being around Auckland this week.
“Seeing people, everyone arriving and getting excited about it sort of adds to our excitement I think, just keen to get out on the field really.”
And while McCaw will run out for test match number 99 against Tonga, Brad Thorn will play in his 53rd, and his second World Cup, the old war horse promising to leave nothing in the tank.
“I'm going to give it everything I got, I want to express myself in my own way but also I’m looking forward to the team hopefully reaching it's potential and giving it a good crack.”
The pre-match rituals will no doubt lend an explosive start to proceedings, but it is the 80 minutes on the field that really matter, with 60,000 fans on hand to enjoy a top first-up performance from the hosts.
“Because it's a world cup it adds a wee bit of edge; these are the games you want to play in,” says McCaw.
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