It is all about setting a foundation, a benchmark, for a season which will be like no other for the national side.
"We have not put a lot of emphasis on what we are up against. They have got players who can play with the ball and if we play loose and chuck the ball around that will allow them into the game," McCaw said.
"They'll have a crack at the breakdown and we have to make sure we get things right. But this week is more about making sure we get our things right and concentrating on that. Hopefully we can play under control.
"We have got to get the little things right. They have got the ability if we loosen up to put the pressure on."
In all honesty, Fiji should not get anywhere near the All Blacks tonight. But the All Blacks need to be clinical and composed in everything they do.
It is one of those games that if the All Blacks do not triumph by some distance then the inquiries may start. McCaw knows that and does not have to look far to see a team fluff a supposedly simple assignment.
"We have to make sure we start well . . . get the set piece right and knock them over."
Obviously in ranks of importance for the year, this test is not top of the pile, but playing and performing well is a key. The World Cup has been referred to this week but was not the sole focus, McCaw said.
"It is stupid not to say that it [World Cup] is in the back of our minds but this week is about getting together without thinking too much down the track. It is about playing well this week and then going into the Tri-Nations the following week. What we do now will hopefully set us up for later in the year."
McCaw said though the World Cup was not mentioned, every player realised this squad was just together for the Tri-Nations and therefore wanted to do well in that tournament to be there later in the year.
The side had been in peak form last year, losing just the one game, in the final minute to the Wallabies, but McCaw said that was no reason to stand still.
"It would be silly to think what we did last year would be good enough. Over Super rugby the game has changed from the start until finals time.
"And we have to make sure we stay ahead. A lot of things we did last year will be good enough this year but if we just turn up and go through the motions we will come second. That is the attitude we have to come up with."
McCaw said the side had worked on a few little things and hopefully they would work well tonight.
The All Black skipper said he could not wait for the game to start, after a campaign with the Crusaders hampered by a sore foot.
"From a personal point of view I have been pretty frustrated. I've had a pretty stop-start year. But now we get into a new team, start from scratch and get into it. You can see from these guys that some had good experiences from Super campaigns and some not so good. This team has come together pretty well this week and we've got to make sure we use that excitement to do something good."
All Blacks v Fiji
Carisbrook, tonight, 7.35pm
All Blacks: Mils Muliaina, Zac Guildford, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Colin Slade, Jimmy Cowan, Liam Messam, Richie McCaw (captain), Adam Thomson, Ali Williams, Jarrad Hoeata, Ben Franks, Andrew Hore, Wyatt Crockett.
Reserves: Corey Flynn, John Afoa, Sam Whitelock, Jerome Kaino, Piri Weepu, Dan Carter, Ben Smith.
Fiji: Iliesa Keresoni, Timoci Naqusa, Albert Vulivuli, Ravai Fatiaki, Napolioni Nalaga, Seremaia Bai, Nemia Serelevu, Sakiusa Matadigo, Akapusi Qera, Dominiko Waqaniburotu, Rupeni Nasiga, Seko Kalou, Deacon Manu (captain), Sunia Koto, Campese Ma'afu.
Reserves: Viliame Veikoso, Setefano Samoca, Josefa Domolailai, Malakai Ravulo, Vitori Buatava, Taniela Rawaqa, Vereniki Goneva.
Referee: Stu Dickinson (Australia).
TAB odds: NZ by 70-99 points, $2.30; NZ by 40-69 points, $2.15.
