The plan B that was missing when the All Blacks froze in the 2003 rugby World Cup semifinal loss has been written down and rehearsed by the team seeking redemption in France starting tomorrow.
The New Zealand team had nowhere to turn when they weren't gifted turnover ball or allowed to counter-attack against the Wallabies in Sydney four years ago.
This All Blacks side under coach Graham Henry and assistants Wayne Smith and Steve Hansen remain lethal on those areas but are now dangerous in numerous facets of the game.
"Attack off turnover ball can kill teams. We do a lot of work on that, it's no secret, it's the way we've played for years," Smith said.
"But we've got to ensure that we can play when we're not given turnover ball, that we're not committed to just one game plan.
"That's what the last 3-1/2 years have been about really, trialling different ways of playing and making sure that we're comfortable with that."
Smith was adamant that the All Blacks are now more than capable of winning an arm wrestle if any of the Cup playoff matches turn tight and testing.
"Steve Hansen and (scrum coach) Mike Cron have done a great job of developing that pack into quite a fearsome pack with a hell of a lot of caps in it.
"If we've got to play up front, then that's what we've got to do. We've had to do that at times to win trophies over the last few years."
There is no better example than their most recent test, the damp Bledisloe Cup decider at Auckland in which the home forwards took control.
Smith expected his pool C opponents to fall into the trap of playing a conservative style rather than attacking New Zealand.
Statistics over the past two years show the All Blacks have had remarkably few scrum put-ins. Smith said this correlates with opponents who have tended to play a safe style.
"The less scrums that we have, means the more they've tried to kick and the less they've tried to throw offloads," Smith said.
"They've tried to mistake-free rugby against us. I'd imagine that's the tactic that's been talked about with other teams in the world."
Italy shape as a prime example.
They have named a strong, experienced pack who should challenge the New Zealand set piece but they look thin on attacking back line options, with South African first five-eighth Roland De Marigny likely to try and keep New Zealand pinned for territory with raking kicks.
Smith said having the heat of the afternoon sun on their backs may prompt some sides to let loose.
"I expect teams will go out and have a crack but generally teams do a lot of work on how to combat us -- I'd do the same if I was playing the All Blacks," Smith said.
"We look at our own standards, honour the game ourselves and make sure we get that right."
Smith didn't think his players would struggle to adjust to test rugby, despite seven weeks of no game time for the majority of them aside from two trial clashes at team camps.
"We feel we've simulated as well as we can, whether it's been training or in friendly games," Smith said.
"We've done a lot of wrestling at training, so we've brought in a lot of the physical natures of the contest."
Smith noted a seven-week break in the leadup to last November's tour-opener against England was quickly forgotten.
"Hopefully our excitement and enthusiasm will take over.
"You want to be stimulated by the challenge and this group is. This group is up for it."
Tomorrow's referee is inexperienced Englishman Wayne Barnes.
NZPA
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