Shaking out Investec Super Rugby cobwebs and restoring attention to the demands of international rugby has been the mantra for the first All Blacks training squad session in Auckland this week.

Those members not involved with the Hurricanes and Highlanders semifinal preparations have been taking part in a three-day camp on the North Shore, a traditional starting point for the All Blacks as they prepare for the Investec Rugby Championship.

This year, without the benefit of the June window internationals, the focus is on the inaugural Test in Apia against Samoa.

Over all the preparations, however, looms the fact that 31 players have the goal of making the Rugby World Cup side in September.

Coach Steve Hansen was mindful of maintaining attention to the now.

"We can't hide from the fact it's Rugby World Cup year. What more could you want? That is the big prize at the end of it," he said.

"It's been in the back of our minds for some time and is coming to the forefront. But there's still some things we have to do immediately, and they're the main focus," Hansen said.

Newcomers needed to be made aware of the increased demands and expectations of international play.

"It's about re-forming who we are, and understanding that this is our environment," Hansen said.

"This camp is all about reintroducing what it is like to be an All Black. For some people it's their first taste of that. As an All Black there are big expectations but it's not difficult to fulfil if you do things right."

Compounding the issues ahead of their selection choice for the Samoan game is the semi-finals at the weekend. It is only after the Highlanders have played the Waratahs in Sydney, and the Hurricanes have hosted the Brumbies, that the picture of availability will be clearer.

"Obviously there's some planning going on, but there's question marks all over the place. There're things to take into account. How much game time some have played and how do we recharge a few batteries," Hansen said.

Should both New Zealand teams qualify for the Super Rugby final, Hansen was confident the All Blacks would still be able to field a good side in Apia, even if needing to be augmented by fringe players.

Another consideration is monitoring players returning from injury. Halfback Tawera Kerr-Barlow will take his first steps back on the field in two club games which will hopefully be a forerunner to him playing for the Maori All Blacks.

Fullback Israel Dagg may also be given the chance to play club rugby.

Part of the focus during the camp has also been absorbing the defence thoughts of coach Wayne Smith who has come back into the team environment with that role in mind.

No.8 Kieran Read said Smith would lift the defensive intensity of the side.

"He's a great analytical mind, and he brings that to his defence," he said.

"There are subtle variances that Smithy wants us to use, and I think that's an area we can improve on as a team.

"I think it's going to be great to have him involved and I'm sure he's really going to lift us in that area," Read said.

The basics have already been outlined to those at the camp and more detailed work would follow when the full squad was assembled.