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Mils Muliaina and Richie McCaw - Source: Photosport -
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Attitude not altitude.
It's a mantra the All Blacks have been preaching all week as they try to scrub any atmospheric disadvantage from their mind ahead of Sunday morning's (NZT) Tri Nations rugby Test against South Africa at Bloemfontein.
For the second time in their history, the All Blacks must play a Test on the South African highveld just one week after a Test in New Zealand.
That scheduling is commonplace for Super 14 teams but All Blacks coach Graham Henry clearly doesn't believe it is just for an international - particularly as they play another Test in Durban a week later - hauling out terms this week like "ridiculous" and "impossible" to describe his feelings.
Having arrived as early as humanely possible following last Saturday's defeat of Australia, there is confidence in the All Blacks camp they can overcome jet lag and the thin air at 1400m above sea level.
Having just two full training runs before facing the world champions doesn't bother captain Richie McCaw.
His main concern is that the abbreviated buildup and conditions don't become a mental anchor for his players.
"I was counting the other day, I've been here (South Africa) 17 times now so I'm getting a little bit used to it," he said.
"You may not feel absolutely sharp until Saturday but you've just got make sure you do everything to get ready.
"There's no excuses. When we play the Springboks in New Zealand, you don't say `they might be jet lagged'."
Adjustments
Senior players are well versed in the adjustments need to play at altitude.
Fullback Mils Muliaina stands further back and uses a different timing to take the high ball. Hooker Andrew Hore has to adjust his flight path when throwing into the lineout.
Centre Conrad Smith's experience tells him that 6-7 days is about the right length of time to be peaking.
"Even today we were a bit scratchy," he said after the Wednesday training session.
"We weren't running around at 100. We just have to manage.
"By Saturday, I don't think the guys will feel any effects. You feel it in your lungs but it's not like you can't suddenly run.
"Hopefully it won't be too big a deal. The magnitude of the game will be the main thing that we have to deal with."
Outcome
Assistant coach Wayne Smith was heartened by the outcome the last time the All Blacks had to undergo a rapid New Zealand-to-highveld shuffle.
It was 2006, when they prepared at the same Centurion lodgings and underwent a similarly light lead-in.
The result? A 45-26 win at Pretoria in which the All Blacks surged away in the second half and Daniel Carter used the thin air to his advantage, landing a 60m penalty.
"We played pretty well that day," Smith says.
"If you nail all the other things that you're in control of -- your sleep, get your recovery right, get your mental attitude right then you can overcome any of the science."
The All Blacks couldn't maintain their highveld form, losing by a point in Rustenburg seven days later.
Despite the increasing use of sports science, the All Blacks have continued to struggle on the highveld, recording five losses and four wins in the professional era. That compares to a much-improved six win-two loss record at South Africa's sea level venues.
Sunday's Test will be the 20th New Zealand have played on the highveld, matching the 20 at sea level. Victory will leave the All Blacks having recorded nine wins at both regions.
To WATCH Breakfast previewing the clash with ONE News' Steve Marshall LIVE from Bloemfontein CLICK HERE
