They've made no secret about their desire to seal the series against Ireland with a game to spare, and the All Blacks can do that on Saturday with a win under the roof in Dunedin.
They've never lost at Forsyth Barr Stadium, and are eager to heap even more pressure on Ireland after a dominant display at Eden Park last week.
Helping their cause off the bench is halfback Folau Fakatava, making his debut at his Highlanders home ground in a perfect scenario.
"Finally, my dream is going to come true," he said. "But I'm pretty chill, pretty relaxed."
The 22-year-old clearly isn't one to be overawed by the occasion, and he's not about to overplay his hand just because he's in a black jersey.
"I think I'm always calm, as long as I'm clear with my roles and that," he continued. "So when I get on the field I'm clear and calm and ready to go."
Ian Foster shares Fakatava's confidence. The All Blacks coach has been impressed with Fakatava since he's been in camp, and wants him to soak up every moment of his debut.
"I wanna see that big smile and I want him to go out there and enjoy doing what he does," he said.
Fakatava's game has flourished under the tutelage of Aaron Smith in Super Rugby this season. The halfbacks have provided a deadly one-two punch for the Highlanders. And Foster wants to see that impact replicated at test level.
"He's [been] really clear over the last two or three weeks about the role of a nine," Foster continued.
"But the flip side of it is he's got his own way of expressing himself that we don't wanna inhibit either."
"Obviously I've done this with Nuggy, Aaron Smith, at Super Rugby," said Fakatava. "So I'm really confident he'll go out there and do his thing and then I'll come on and enjoy it."
Fakatava just hopes Ireland doesn't spoil the enjoyment.
