If Rugby Australia manages to avoid a record low crowd at ANZ Stadium this week they should thank Steve Hansen, specifically the praise he continues to throw the Wallabies' way. Even more so, that he is doing it with a straight face.
Saturday night's Bledisloe Cup opener in Sydney is reportedly tracking towards a crowd of 55,000-60,000, a figure that would eclipse last year's 54,846. But it is a long way from the halcyon days of Australian rugby when the annual trans-Tasman showdown was the hottest ticket in town.
Of course, that was back when the Wallabies were World Cup champions and the likes of George Gregan, Stephen Larkham and John Eales were still running around. After 15 straight years of Bledisloe subserviency, the Wallabies have long learned to prepare for more than just the odd spare seat at the Olympic Stadium.
The past two meetings at Homebush have, in particular, been brutal viewing for those supporters wearing green and gold: the Tests have been over well before halftime. You could forgive anyone for not wanting to make the trip to ANZ Stadium after the 42-8 and 57-37 thrashings the All Blacks served the Wallabies in 2016 and 2017 respectively.
But that hasn't stopped the All Blacks coach from turning on the ultimate in charm offensives in declaring the Wallabies as favourites for Saturday's opener. Having first made the claim early last week, Hansen hasn't backed down from his comments despite the above two scorelines and several other cold-hard facts pointing to the contrary.
The best place to start is the bookies. The head-to-head market currently available with tab.com.au has the All Blacks at $1.24 and the Wallabies at $4.10. That speaks for itself.
Secondly, Hansen rightly points out that Australia actually defeated New Zealand 23-18 in their most recent clash last year, at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. But what the All Blacks coach has failed to mention when referencing that encounter is the fact he was without star fly-half Beauden Barrett, fullback Ben Smith, first-choice props Joe Moody and Owen Franks, and the incomparable Brodie Retallick.
And they still only lost by five points.
The other great pillar of Hansen's complimentary crusade is the fashion in which the Wallabies acquitted themselves against Ireland. Sure, Australia came close to beating the No. 2 ranked side on the planet, but after winning the first Test in Brisbane, it was clear the Wallabies were the inferior side across the three-match series.
But there is one part of Hansen's pre-game favouritism synopsis that has merit: that the Wallabies will be better for their internal trial, of sorts, played a week ago last Friday. Wallabies coach Michael Cheika got some valuable minutes into his playing group in what was a spirited hit-out at Sydney's Leichhardt Oval.
The past two years they have hit ANZ Stadium as cold as ice.
But it is the only point which calls for some Australian positivity. Elsewhere, the All Blacks are completely deserving of their $1.24 favouritism.
New Zealand's pack will be made up predominantly of the Crusaders forward unit that powered to a second straight Super Rugby title and while Aaron Smith and Beauden Barrett weren't at their best for the Highlanders and Hurricanes respectively, there have been arguably few better performers in Sydney the last two years than the All Blacks halves.
The "Wallabies are favourites" line has also given us all something else to focus on away from the bubbling conversation about Richie Mo'unga and his irresistible Super Rugby form. Beauden Barrett won't have been concerned by it, but he hasn't had to hear about it quite so much over the past week now either.
And so the All Blacks coach has actually achieved something this past seven days, aside from helping to ease Rugby Australia's fears that they could dip below last year's disastrous Bledisloe crowd.
The build-up will continue to bubble along this week ahead of the opening whistle, tempting those who might be enticed into giving the Wallabies another chance. There is certainly cause for a hint of optimism among Australian fans, too; Cheika's squad is in a better position than this time last year.
But there is no way the bookies, the locals and probably anyone other than Hansen is buying his line that the Wallabies are favourites. It is impossible to swallow, let alone stomach.