Tears have been shed as the All Blacks face up to what some in the team believe is the biggest rugby match in the nation's history.
Adding to the sense of occasion is the impending departure of several veterans.
Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Dane Coles, Aaron Smith and Richie Mo'unga are among those moving on after this week. Mo'unga, 29, is leaving to play three seasons in Japan and may return to the black jersey but the others won't.
Forwards coach Jason Ryan revealed a Monday night (Paris time) get-together had brought out a range of emotions, with flanker Dalton Papali'i saying the vulnerability of some of those present had fired up the younger members of the squad even more for the World Cup final against the Springboks on Sunday morning NZT.
"We've talked about farewells," Ryan said. "We've talked this week about being the best that we can. We had quite a nice night last night as a team and some of our experienced leaders spoke about what it's been to be an All Black and their previous experiences in World Cups, as well as some of the younger boys.
"That's been a special part of our week and it was nice last night listening to some of those guys. Anyone that has played 100-plus Tests, you've got some stories haven't you."
Whitelock has played 152 Tests, Smith 124 and Retallick 108.
'The highs and the lows'
Papali'i, 26 and on 31 Tests, said: "It was quite special to hear some of the things those certain players said from the heart. You know, you think you know someone but once they open up and really be vulnerable in front of a team, it was quite special to hear.
"It was truly something special when you hear those boys open up. You know those leaders have been through a lot in their careers, the highs and the lows, the off-field and on-field stuff, and for them to open up, it sort of makes you feel welcomed and you want to play this game for them.
"There were a few tears and I think that's awesome to see, players showing vulnerability, just opening up about how much this tour and this sort of game means.
"There were some [people] saying this is probably one of the most important games of All Blacks history. The All Blacks went through a bit of a hard path to get here, media, friends, family even criticising us and all that, and we stuck together. We weren't even said to be in the final and now look at us, we're here."
This will also be a final Test for head coach Ian Foster and fellow selector and assistant Joe Schmidt, along with assistant Scott McLeod and several others in the management team.
Clearly the significance of what the team have achieved after the lows of last year – a home series defeat to Ireland, a first home loss to Argentina and the unprecedented sackings of assistant coaches John Plumtree and Brad Mooar, has not been missed.
More adversity came this year after a successful Rugby Championship when the All Blacks suffered their worst ever Test defeat to the Boks at Twickenham before they lost their World Cup opener to France.
Rather than weaken the team's resolve, though, it has strengthened it and now they are on the brink of a remarkable fourth World Cup triumph.
"Different players take it differently and some of the older players probably were hit a little bit harder and it was good to see just a bit of emotion and the want from them. Seeing that gives all the other players an extra two, three per cent to think 'OK, we are going to the well and we've got to give it our all'," Papali'i said.
The All Blacks' trials have forged a bond and, after their outstanding quarter-final win over Ireland, the former world's best team, a sense of destiny.
However, few teams foster a feeling of destiny like the Springboks and after two narrow knockout matches and the controversy hanging over hooker Bongi Mbonambi, that's likely to be come to the fore stronger than ever this week.
And few indulge in mind games quite like their director of rugby Rassie Erasmus, but Ryan was unwilling to get into what that might look like.
Asked if he expected some mental warfare from Erasmus, and if it would have an impact, Ryan replied: "Not sure, and no."
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