Analysis: The entire squad and management group have agreed to give up something for the greater good during the tournament, writes Patrick McKendry in Paris.
The All Blacks have reached the World Cup final thanks to a combination of mental and physical application, an excellent tactical approach to their knockout victories over Ireland and Argentina, and sacrifice.
The importance of the latter cannot be underestimated and in fact has been a focus of their campaign which began after the All Blacks fell to the biggest defeat in their Test history against South Africa in London two months ago.
1News understands that all the players and management agreed to give up something for the entirety of the tournament — a gesture made for the greater good and which for many is likely to involve denying themselves alcohol.
One of the phrases used a lot by the All Blacks is how much they "care" — for the team and for each other — and they had to show that as well as personal sacrifice in the final three minutes of their 28-24 victory over Ireland when they defended a remarkable 37 phases.
The key driver of that then and now is halfback Aaron Smith, a man whose voice on the Stade de France pitch can sometimes be heard in the stands despite the presence of 80,000 people in them.
His verbal encouragement is vital for the All Blacks — a small but important factor in their occasionally rocky journey towards a possible fourth World Cup victory.
In the final moments against Ireland, Smith could be heard over the referee's microphone shouting "get up Ardie" after the prone loose forward gestured in dismay at the assistant referee when he wasn’t awarded a turnover penalty. Savea appeared to have a good case but Smith wasn’t about to let him dwell on it.
A little earlier, Smith yelled at replacement prop Tamaiti Williams to get back on his feet and in the defensive line after making a tackle and the 23-year-old jumped to it and made another dominant hit.
Sam Whitelock’s actions in putting his head in a dark area to win the turnover which finally sealed the game have been well reviewed but many of his teammates also showed an immense amount of commitment to what the veteran lock would describe simply as “getting the job done”.
"The boys have shown a lot of care," assistant coach Jason Ryan said this week.
"We have challenged them in certain areas on the training field and had some good honest conversations in our meetings. We've set ourselves up to give ourselves a chance. I am extremely proud of what we've achieved and we've got one to go."
The commitment of the players — this band of brothers — to each other is obvious and has been strengthened by not only the adversity of last year but the impending departures of veterans including Whitelock, Smith, Dane Coles and Brodie Retallick.
It manifested itself in an emotional meeting on Monday night here in Paris, with Smith, generally the smallest in the room, likely to have been a big presence ahead of his 125th and final Test.
"He is a guy I've worked with for a long time, with the Highlanders and then with the All Blacks," assistant coach Scott McLeod said this week.
"He has a special place in my heart because of his passion; the way he applies himself every single day is for the betterment of the team.
"He is an absolute professional on and off the field. He gets his body right and his mind right and he gives it nothing short of 100 [per cent] every single time. The passion and willingness he shows is contagious. I just think the world of him, really."
Asked what legacy the 34-year-old Smith would leave, Ryan said: "A pretty special one. He has been right up there as the best half-back in the world for a long time. Phenomenal man. I've always had so much respect for 'Nug' and the way he played the game from when I was involved in Super Rugby. Just his energy and the way he challenges and barks at his forward pack is good, he keeps everyone honest.
"He leaves not only a great legacy. He is a great New Zealander to be fair."
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