Richie McCaw and his dominant All Blacks carry a heavy load on their shoulders as they attempt to capture back-to-back Rugby World Cups at the home of rugby in England.
In many ways would be a fitting tribute to some of their ageing warriors, McCaw included, who will walk away from a game they have given so much to.
The brilliance of the All Blacks over history is unchallenged and may never be surpassed. They have stamped their class over the rest of the world in no uncertain terms.
But the return for their efforts at the World Cup has not reflected that dominance, inexplicably falling to the lesser knowns under the anticipated expectation from New Zealand and their millions of fans around the globe.
The 2015 World Cup in England throws up a beautiful scenario in a country that loves its soccer, cricket and rugby with a passion. A carnival atmosphere has taken hold of the home of rugby as fans flock in their thousands to enjoy the game made in heaven while enjoying the traditional and friendly English hospitality.
It is easily the second biggest stage in sport after soccer and an anticipated following of over a billion fans will be glued to their televisions as the action unfolds.
While the All Blacks go in as favourites like at every other World Cup, there is no denying that the gap between the best and the rest has narrowed.
So much so that a strong challenge for this episode of the William Webb Ellis Trophy will come from the usual protagonists, arch rivals Australia, England, Wales, the rugged and always formidable South Africans, and the never to be written off Frenchmen who are chock full of surprises with their exciting run and carry game.
Unlike most other sports, rugby union, for all its ruggedness, brings together the happiest sporting following you will ever hope to see and the rivalry among fans is always light-hearted and enjoyable.
Thousands of rugby mad fans from around the world have converged on England to watch the great spectacle at hallowed venues such as Twickenham and Wembley and many of them from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa will join the strong throng of supporters from the southern hemisphere which has always been the dominant force at the previous World Cups.
Australia, South Africa and New Zealand have won two episodes apiece with England being the only northern hemisphere team to win it in 2003, and the feeling is that this one could follow a similar pattern unless England, Wales or France have a say.
New Zealand will be wary of the Australians, who are renowned as a big occasion team. They clearly displayed this strength in the recently concluded tri-nations series where they came away with the spoils.
The All Blacks reasserted their superiority in the Bledisloe Cup decider in Auckland, smashing the Wallabies and setting up the stage for an equally fierce encounter on neutral ground at the World Cup if they were to cross paths again.
Outside of the favourites the party poopers who could provide some consternation to the fancied teams will definitely be the always unpredictable Ireland, the opportunistic Argentineans, and the fast improving Italy, Scotland, USA, and Canada, who are capable of upsetting anyone on their day.
Upsets such as these can also influence the standings in terms of qualification for the knock-out stage so the best will have to be on their guard and not let it slip. Otherwise the repercussions would indeed be costly.
Whoever carries away the William Web Ellis Trophy will take with it the spoils of one of the best ever World Cups staged. Nostalgia aside the camaraderie and enjoyment that comes with it will be long lived by the thousands fortunate enough to secure tickets to this fantastic event.
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