Plenty has already been written about the 2011 Rugby World Cup. But who will run out on to the field with the hopes of four million sitting on its shoulders? Rugby writer Steve Hepburn looks at the men who will be trusted to get their hands on the much prized silverware after 24 long years.
Every coach talks about it.
Seemingly, no one player can ever have too much of it.
And the All Blacks will have it in spades come the start of the next World Cup.
Experience.
Players like Richie McCaw and Mils Muliaina will have logged up nearly 100 tests come World Cup time.
That, in anyone's language, is plenty of miles on the clock. Although the tricky thing is, if experience is such a vital requirement why not pick a team of 35-year-olds.
Much is made of experience. The lack of it particularly.
But what must be ranked top of the tree when picking players is ability.
If the player is the best in that position, then he simply starts. No matter if it is test No 1 or 100.
Two years out from the 1995 World Cup, Jonah Lomu was just finishing school, Glen Osborne was emerging at North Harbour while Andrew Mehrtens was fighting to get into the Canterbury team.
With that sort of background they could not have been experienced.
But come 1995 they were the best in their position, and had to be picked.
So picking a side two years out from the tournament is fraught with difficulty.
Form, particularly in the Super 14 (or 15 or whatever it has morphed into) in 2011 will play a huge part in who makes the final cut.
Talk about building depth was a big theme before 2007, but that thinking seems to have disappeared.
At fullback it would be hard to go past Muliaina, though his star has waned somewhat of late.
Catching up fast is Cory Jane while Otago's Ben Smith could also be looked at the back.
Robbie Robinson could be a punt although he may be a bit too green for this occasion.
The days of the likes of fullbacks such as Christian Cullen slicing through backlines is, unfortunately, long gone thanks to new laws, better defences, and bigger, stronger and faster players.
On the wings, Sitivini Sivivatu could be a starter, though injury may intervene.
Jane would have to be in the equation, while Smith could win a wing berth along with Zac Guildford.
The likes of Hosea Gear, Joe Rokocoko and Rudi Wulf could be squeezed out by a combination of new rules and advancing years.
Other contenders by that time could be Sean Maitland, Andre Taylor or even young Counties-Manukau flier Tim Nanai-Williams.
Being a wing used to be all about speed and strength.
Kicking is now just as big a requirement and that will not change in the next two years.
At centre it looks like a straight out duel between Richard Kahui and Conrad Smith.
Maybe Robbie Fruean could come into the equation.
Utility Isaia Toeava may also be looked at the centre position, though his jack of all trades status may come back to haunt him.
Second five-eighth looks like Ma'a Nonu or Luke McAlister although the latter will have to come right back into form after a disappointing start to his career back in his homeland.
Ryan Crotty has been talked about as the next big thing but that may have something to do with him coming from Canterbury.
Other possibilities include Tim Bateman, Benson Stanley or even Highlanders midfielder Jayden Hayward.
Stephen Donald could find himself as a second five-eighth as he drops down the queue in the No 10 jersey.
Dan Carter will be the starting 10.
Carter being dumped is about as likely as Hone Harawira joining Act New Zealand.
Carter's back-up could be Aaron Cruden or perhaps even Robinson.
Do not dismiss the thought of Nick Evans riding over yonder for a chance at glory.
Jimmy Cowan has the inside running for the halfback position but if he can stay fit and play exclusively at halfback Piri Weepu will mount a serious challenge.
The stars look like fading for Brendon Leonard and Andy Ellis.
Waikato youngster Tawera Kerr-Barlow may be worth a punt along with Auckland's Auvasa Faleali'i.
In the pack, Rodney So'oialo has one leg in the pasture paddock, and gives the impression of a prize fighter who may have gone for one bout too many.
Kieran Read could be a better bet or maybe Liam Messam will get consistency into his game but perhaps athletic Wellington loosie Victor Vito could be the man off the back.
New Highlander Nasi Manu could also be a candidate.
McCaw will be on the openside flank, and also captain the side.
The sky would have to cave in before he gets demoted.
His back-up? Anyone's guess. Tanerau Latimer, Scott Waldrom, or George Whitelock.
Maybe even Southland colt John Hardie.
On the blindside, the queue is deep.
Adam Thomson, Jerome Kaino, Vito, Messam, even the returning Chris Jack may be a candidate.
Thomson would appear to have the inside running but can not afford a drop in form.
At lock, the depth is staggeringly good.
Can Brad Thorn drag his ageing body around another two years? One would hope so.
If he can recapture his form of the past couple of years, Ali Williams will be there.
Tom Donnelly needs to keep up the consistency he has found this year.
His line-out prowess is a real advantage over other candidates.
Jack has to cut out the seagulling and get in and do the dirty work.
Anthony Boric will be there but time appears to have passed for Jason Eaton, while Isaac Ross is a risk possibly not worth taking.
At prop, Tony Woodcock will be there and Jamie Mackintosh will want to come back into the reckoning.
On the tighthead side, the red herring is big Carl Hayman.
He could probably make a billion quid for the next 10 years if he stayed in Europe.
But winning something like the World Cup is worth more than anything money can buy.
If he does return he will be one prop, probably ahead of Owen Franks, John Afoa or even North Harbour youngster Michael Reid.
At hooker, Andrew Hore should be one, along with Keven Mealamu.
These two have been around for a good few years and have seen off plenty of challengers.
The latest may be Quentin MacDonald, Dane Coles or even Ash Dixon.
So is it a team good enough to win the World Cup.
On paper? Yes.
On grass? Who knows.
