When the All Blacks won the first World Cup in 1987, the combined weight of the four backs from halfback to centre tallied 307kg.
This year, the All Blacks inside four could weigh nearly 90kg more.
But brawn is not going to win games in these positions. It still is about brains - having the guile to choose the right option at the right time.
Ma'a Nonu may weigh nearly 30kg more than 1987 All Black captain David Kirk but it is the top two inches which become so important in the tight games at the World Cup.
Rampaging busting runs will only go far in the midfield. And every other top side will have plenty of big men in its backline.
Brains win games. And the All Blacks have enough to be more than competitive.
Ma'a Nonu, Conrad Smith and Sonny Bill Williams are going to make the trip.
Nonu and Smith go together like salt and vinegar, and four years on from a fantastic effort in 2011, the duo will be first-choice for the key games.
Williams looked like he was going to seriously challenge Nonu for his position but it just has not been his year.
A couple of niggly injuries have impacted on his ability to get on the field and do a bit of razzle dazzle for the Chiefs. Losing Aaron Cruden also had a big impact on him, and maybe age - he turned 30 this month - is catching up with him.
Malakai Fekitoa looks like the other option in the midfield. It seems hard to believe two years ago he was discarded by the Blues and the last man picked for the Highlanders.
Ryan Crotty is going to be squeezed out, and one wonders if he will wait around for another four years.
Moving further infield, the No10 jersey has four candidates and really only one - Dan Carter - can feel secure. It is amazing what one sidestep around an over-the-hill lock can do for a career.
Beauden Barrett was one of the casualties of the decision to pick an enlarged squad. He never really got a chance through the four tests, and has not got any worse or better because he has barely played.
Barrett was the preferred option at the end of last year and has done really nothing wrong since.
That leaves a straight choice between Lima Sopoaga and Colin Slade.
Slade is more versatile and more experienced but Sopoaga is the man in form. Sopoaga could probably not have done anything more but Slade never had a full audition in the test jersey this season.
The Highlanders No10 probably shades it but it will be tough for either player to miss out.
Inside, in the No9 jersey, there appears to be a groundswell pushing for just two halfbacks and it is hard to argue against that.
Aaron Smith and TJ Perenara are clearly ahead of the next best. And those coming in behind have too many doubts about them.
Andy Ellis - too old. Tawera Kerr-Barlow - too rusty and always offside. Brad Weber - too green. Augustine Pulu - too greedy.
