All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw has brushed off the almost certain loss of centre Conrad Smith for today’s Rugby Championship match against Australia, when the world champions could set a new record for consecutive victories.

New Zealand’s final preparations for the start of their title defence were hit by a pregnant pause yesterday when Smith rushed home to Wellington to be with his wife for the birth of their first child.

Exciting young talent Malakai Fekitoa will come off the bench to replace the 77-test veteran in midfield and Ryan Crotty has been called into the squad, even if coach Steve Hansen has not given up hope Smith might play a part in the match.

“It’s happened enough times in the past,” a phlegmatic McCaw told reporters at the Olympic Stadium.

“Just look at the last test we played when Conrad broke his thumb. Malakai was the last guy to play at centre in the last test so him slotting in will be fine.

“At the end of the day, if you let those things influence what you do in the weekend, you haven’t really got the environment set-up right so hopefully everyone’s aware of what’s going on and have prepared as such.”

That sort of self-assurance in the face of disruption typifies the sort of team culture that has helped the All Blacks match the record for most consecutive victories for a top tier nation over the last 14 months.

An 18th successive victory today would add that record to an already impressive collection of honours the All Blacks have achieved in the last three years, including the World Cup triumph and back-to-back Rugby Championships.