OPINION: Ian Foster isn't big on the term 'dead rubber'.
He likes it in one sense, it means the All Blacks have taken care of the business they need to. But the connotation is that the match doesn't really matter, which is clearly not the case.
The Bledisloe Cup and Rugby Championship are locked away at NZR HQ for another year, but even though there's no silverware on the line, a test match is a test match, and Foster and his co-selectors will treat it as such.
That said, Saturday's final Bledisloe Cup test of the year presents a perfect opportunity for experimenting - a chance to see what certain players are capable of in a black jersey and whether they can translate the form that got them into the All Blacks in the first place onto the international stage.
There are World Cup spots on the line, no doubt about it.
Foster has a squad of 37 for the Rugby Championship, but that will be cut to 33, when the World Cup squad is named on Monday. Shaun Stevenson has remained with the squad, after initially only being included as injury cover for the first two tests.
Stevenson was one of the standouts during Super Rugby and has been crying out for gametime in a black jersey. This is his last chance to show if he has the makings of an international quality player.
Samipeni Finau was selected because of his big, physical presence. His work over the ball, clean and carry, and ability to shift bodies at the breakdown caught the eyes of Foster and Jason Ryan.
He seems destined for a debut.
Dallas McLeod is in the same category - players picked on potential, with a final opportunity to prove it.
Foster will likely have 95 percent of his World Cup squad locked in, so there isn't a lot of room for bolters, but you can't bolt in, if you're never given the opportunity.
Saturday isn't just about testing the untested. Anton Lienert-Brown, Damian McKenzie, and Luke Jacobson have all played only one test this year. All three are certainties on the plane to France, but will benefit from starting minutes against battered and bruised opposition.
Leicester Fainga'anuku hasn't featured due to injury, but after being the form winger in Super Rugby Pacific, he will no doubt get the chance to stake his claim as Foster's preferred left wing option in France. It shapes as a two-horse race between him and Caleb Clarke to nab that spot.
Fletcher Newell is also fit and available for selection in his first game since the Crusaders' season-opener against the Chiefs in February.
While some players need an opportunity, others need a rest. Ethan de Groot, Tyrel Lomax, Codie Taylor, Scott Barrett, Shannon Frizell, Dalton Papalii, Ardie Savea, Aaron Smith, Richie Mo'unga, Jordie Barrett, Rieko Ioane, and Beauden Barrett have all featured in all three All Blacks tests this year.
Not all can be rested this weekend, but some must be.
It will be interesting whether Foster allows certain players their final swansong on New Zealand soil. The test will be the last chance for Aaron Smith, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Dane Coles and Richie Mo'unga to don the black jersey on New Zealand soil - possibly Beauden Barrett too.
All of those players will be desperate to play in New Zealand one final time, but it's unlikely all will.
Foster still has to balance rotation and opportunity, without compromising performance, but the All Blacks are confident those uncapped players are more than ready to make good on their potential at test level.
Possible All Blacks XV: 1-Ethan de Groot, 2-Samisoni Taukei'aho, 3-Fletcher Newell, 4-Tupou Vaa'i, 5-Sam Whitelock (c), 6-Samipeni Finau, 7-Dalton Papali'i, 8-Luke Jacobson, 9-Finlay Christie, 10-Damian McKenzie, 11-Leicester Fainga'anuku, 12-Dallas McLeod, 13-Anton Lienert-Brown, 14-Will Jordan, 15-Beauden Barrett
Reserves: 16-Dane Coles, 17-Tamaiti Williams, 18-Tyrel Lomax, 19-Josh Lord, 20-Ardie Savea, 21-Cam Roigard, 22-Braydon Ennor, 23-Shaun Stevenson
Ollie Ritchie is Newshub's rugby reporter. Join Newshub at 2:30pm Saturday for live updates of the All Blacks v Australia Bledisloe Cup clash
