The All Blacks have had nearly a year to stew on the discontent of their personal Springbok hell of 2009.

LEST WE FORGET: All Blacks Dan Carter (left) and Mils Muliaina reflect on a loss to South Africa in Hamilton in 2009.

We shall see tomorrow night whether they’ve put that time to good use.

This Tri-Nations opener at Eden Park between the two best sides on the planet – by some distance – really is all about the All Black response.

In a strange way there is no pressure whatsoever on Peter de Villiers’ Springboks who conquered both the Lions and their Tri-Nations rivals last year to seal their position as the pre-eminent side in world rugby, even if the IRB’s year-end rankings said otherwise.

They are now the “hunted” and the All Blacks the “hunters” as the pre-World Cup international season unfolds. The Boks swept the New Zealanders 3-0 last year and have won their last two matches on Kiwi soil. It’s not quite a stranglehold, but it might only be one more win away from being so.

So another hammer blow at Eden Park tomorrow night would further enhance the Boks’ status. But it’s hardly a must. You get the feeling that their self-belief doesn’t hang in the balance here.

But for the All Blacks this is as big as it gets. They have to start hauling in these South Africans, and start reasserting their own dominance – especially at home, especially on the ground where they will hopefully play the semifinal and final of next year’s World Cup.

It’s a pity more than half of mid-development Eden Park will be vacant tomorrow night, for this test deserves as many eyeballs on it as possible.

It should be an absolute ripper. The bustling Boks will be going for the jugular; the All Blacks will be desperate to sit the bullies on their backsides.

The South Africans will come with their game based on hustle, muscle and pinpoint tactics, while the All Blacks will once again try to show that you can match brawn with beauty. That ball-in-hand rugby can overcome the kick-and-chase game at its best.

And the pressure is all on the New Zealanders. Can they handle that high-ball attack that the Boks execute so well? Can they match them in the bash up front? Can their lineout hold up under the steely gaze of Victor Matfield? Can their exorcise their Springbok ghosts?

Last year it seemed like some All Blacks only had to hear the pitter-patter of Springbok feet for their legs to turn to jelly. There simply had to be more fortitude this time round, more backbone. Lessons must have been learned.

Some All Blacks are under the microscope too, none more than Joe Rokocoko who has been stoutly defended by his coach and team-mates, but must prove to his doubting public that he’s not in this team on past deeds alone.

Some very good wingers are sitting at home watching this Tri-Nations, and Rokocoko must demonstrate starting tomorrow night that Graham Henry’s faith in him is not only justified, but inspired.

Mils Muliaina also needs to deliver a timely reminder of his class at fullback, Ma’a Nonu must show that he’s sharp after over a month on the sideline with a knee injury, and others like Jimmy Cowan, Kieran Read, Jerome Kaino, Tom Donnelly and Owen Franks will realise that this is their chance to step up and assert themselves as first-choice All Blacks.

Muliaina acknowledges responsibility, both personally and collectively, to front this Springbok menace, and to stare it down.

“They’re the world champs, but the fact they dominated us last year helps put that little bit of spice into the game,” said the fullback who will earn his 84th test cap. “They’re a team we respect a hell of a lot, and there’s a lot of history behind the rivalry. This weekend will really give us an indication of where we are, and also where they are, on the world stage.”

Last year the All Blacks failed the high-ball test miserably and Muliaina is well aware more of the same is coming their way on what is expected to be a fine night at Eden Park.

“No doubting they’ll bombard us with kicks and the three of us have just got to be right on the button whoever’s going to catch it and have structures off it to counter-attack,” said Muliaina. Pressure on the kicker will help, he adds.

And what of Rokocoko’s personal acid test?

Muliaina gets a feeling the experienced wing, who has scored 45 tries in his 62 tests but not a heck of a lot of late, is up for the challenge.

“He knows what he has to do, he’s done it and been there before and obviously what he went through last year, he learnt from it. For Roks now you don’t want to get into his ear too much, you just want him to relax.

“I’ve seen glimpses of that the way he’s trained, wanting to hit the ball and some of the ideas he’s come up with. When Joe is doing that you know he’s up for a big game and I suppose to silence some of his critics.

“I think he’s on the road back to the way he used to play in 2003.”

Muliaina also spoke about the essence of the Boks as foes.

“They’re big, hard men, they love to get into you physically, they’ve brought a bit of width to their game now. We’ve got to go out and meet them physically and tactically.”

Muliaina also indicated he’s up for his own personal mission, having finally put all his niggles behind him. “I am feeling good and hopefully that will reflect the way I play,” he said.

Hooker Keven Mealamu, who plays his 75th test on his home track, likes the feel of his All Blacks heading into such a big test.

“I think we go into this game well prepared and in good shape,” he said. “Over the last couple of years we haven’t been this well prepared and we go in with a lot of confidence and are ready to go.”

Mealamu says it feels like the All Blacks have had to wait a long time for this chance after the pain of 2009, and fitting they will send out the most experienced starting XV in their history.

“We’re going to need that experience going into a game like this against a quality forward pack,” said Mealamu. “When we get into those tough patches we’re going to need to know what to do. We’ve got players who have been in this position before, but we need to make sure we stand up and play well first and foremost.”

And the key? The physical or tactical battle?

“They go hand in hand,” added Mealamu. “The way the Springboks execute they’re pretty uncompromising. They execute really well but there’s that physical side of things and if you don’t look after that they’ll run over you.”

The All Blacks, it’s fair to say, have had enough of that.

By Mark Hinton- Stuff