Despite the beautiful setting the All Blacks find themselves in, the focus is very much on beating Italy on Sunday morning.
Aaron Cruden said that allthough the team is enjoying local cuisine and the stunning backdrop of Rome, they know they will face a tough challenge against the Italians.
"We know we are here to do a job first and foremost and the training has been going well so far," said Cruden.
However, the 44-Test veteran believes it's still important to appreciate the opportunity they have to explore one of the world's most historic cities.
"Yesterday was our day off, so it's important that the boys get an opportunity to recharge the batteries.
"[For] a lot of the guys it's their first time in Rome, so they went out and did a bit of a tour as I think you need to when visiting such a beautiful city."
Cruden is also an admirer of exciting Italian playmaker Carlo Canna , who has broken the mould of traditional kick first pivots in Italian rugby.
"He's still relatively new to the international game but I've really been impressed by what I've seen so far.
"I think they are making a lot of changes in the way that they like to play.
"Traditionally their forwards are very strong but now they have young exciting backs who want to throw the ball around, so for us defensively we need to be aware of that and try to shut it down at the source first."
Cruden, who came off the bench in the loss against Ireland in Chicago, doesn't think the defeat has put a stain on the All Blacks season but is aware that this weekend is a chance to grab momentum heading into a rematch with Joe Schmidt's side next weekend.
"It's been a pretty successful year so far.
"Obviously last week wasn't the performance we were looking for, so for us that get an opportunity this week to play, it's about going out there and filling the All Black jersey the best way we can and hopefully getting things back on track by the way we perform."
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