No coach, no match, is ever the same. But as Scott 'Razor' Robertson approaches his first, highly anticipated Test in charge of the All Blacks this weekend, comparisons to the past set the scene for his elevation to the hottest seat in the game.
Twelve years ago Steve Hansen assumed the All Blacks reins following the 2011 Rugby World Cup success on home soil -- a treasured trophy that broke 24 years of New Zealand heartache.
After serving alongside Graham Henry and Wayne Smith, Hansen progressed to the top job and wasted no time stamping his mark on one of the most successful eras in New Zealand and, indeed, global rugby history.
In his first Test at the helm Hansen handed Aaron Smith, Julian Savea and Brodie Retallick starting debuts in the 42-10 win over Ireland at Eden Park.
Beauden Barrett, Dane Coles, Sam Cane and Tawera Kerr-Barlow were ushered into the Test scene later that year as the All Blacks won 12 of 14 matches -- a draw with Wallabies Brisbane and loss to England at Twickenham in their final outing the only blights.
Smith, Retallick, Barrett progressed to become Test centurions. Coles revolutionised the hooking role. Cane was All Blacks captain. And Savea, for a prolonged period as a prolific try-scorer, laid claim to being among the world's pinnacle wingers.
From 2012 to 2015 Hansen's All Blacks savoured sustained domination, losing three times, drawing twice in 53 Tests across four years en route to back-to-back World Cup titles. Such distance between the best and the rest is unlikely to ever be repeated.
From 2017 on, though, the All Blacks declined. What started with the drawn British & Irish Lions series culminated in the 2019 World Cup semifinal exit.
Ian Foster, having run the All Blacks attack for eight years, was earmarked by Hansen and NZ Rugby chief executive Steve Tew to take over but with Crusaders coach Robertson compiling a compelling Super Rugby record and growing in popularity, the continuity succession plan proved a tough sell to a discerning rugby public.
Set against that fraught backdrop, Foster assumed charge. From a perception perspective, effectively cast as the unwanted leader, he was always up against it.
Covid challenges didn't help, either. Super Rugby shrunk overnight. South Africa's forced exit left New Zealand and Australia confined within their borders playing themselves, with the lack of contrasting opposition not best preparing players for the Test arena.
Foster had to wait three months longer than usual -- until October -- to start his tenure with a messy extra time draw against the Wallabies in Wellington. Reece Hodge hit the posts with a 57-metre match-winning penalty to save Foster's blushes in a match that stretched past 88 minutes.
Such an auspicious start proved a sign of troubles to come. The All Blacks won three of six Tests -- all against Wallabies and Pumas -- in 2020. That underwhelming record includes the loss to the Wallabies in Brisbane, and the first defeat against the Pumas which sparked a barrage of criticism.
Foster's rollercoaster tenure is well traversed -- from saving his job at Ellis Park to the mid-2022 assistant coaching changes that injected Jason Ryan and Joe Schmidt and ejected John Plumtree and Brad Mooar. In their final match under Foster the All Blacks, despite Cane's red card, came within one point of the most unlikely World Cup success.
All of which paints the present for Robertson's maiden Test.
Sixteen months on from his initial appointment, it's been a long wait to reach this start line.
While that extended lead-in allowed ample time for planning Robertson must bring his 32-man squad together inside 10 days for their first Test against England under the roof in Dunedin.
Robertson is far more fortunate than Foster in that, having captured seven successive titles with the Crusaders, he reaches the summit with significant public goodwill in the bank.
That could be a blessing and a curse, though. Relentless demands on the All Blacks never waver but with Robertson building an unmatched empire with the Crusaders, he will be expected to continue his Midas touch.
As All Blacks head coach, there is no such notion as a honeymoon.
Stepping up to the Test scene, in a campaign that this year features 14 assignments, nine away from home, won't be easy.
Confronting Steve Borthwick's seemingly resurgent England straight off the bat will immediately reveal where Robertson's All Blacks stand.
Robertson's coaching team -- Ryan (forwards), Leon MacDonald (attack), Scott Hansen (defence) and Jason Holland (strike moves) -- know each other well but they will need time to adjust to the consuming pressures Test rugby brings and to bed in the intricacies of their playing style.
Changes are inevitable but with the vast majority of the All Blacks squad returning from World Cup duty, continuity will also be prevalent.
Two years on from his appointment, only now is Borthwick's England beginning to truly evolve.
Robertson's first Test must achieve one objective and one objective only -- to win at all costs.
England breaking their 21-year quest for victory in New Zealand would send the nation into collective cold sweats -- and could evoke pangs of panic among a new All Blacks coaching crew.
Twice passed over to lead the All Blacks, no one could suggest Robertson hasn't earned this chance.
For now at least, a steady start is all that's required.