New Zealand's Israel Dagg poses for a portrait after an All Blacks media session © Getty Images

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Matches: United States of America 6 - 74 New Zealand

Steve Hansen senses excitement among his troops ahead of the All Blacks' Test against the United States at Soldier Field on Saturday, saying the players' fascination with American sport has them abuzz in Chicago. And that buzz, Hansen said, should mean there is no repeat of the rusty start to last year's season-ending tour.

The feeling can be hard to generate given their constant diet of rugby, particularly when presented with significantly lower-ranked opponents such as the Eagles, but Hansen says the upbeat attitude can be attributed to the historic venue, Soldier Field, home of the Chicago Bears, which is sold out for its first rugby international.

"This week is the culmination of a lot of travel and different sleep patterns but coming here has got the guys excited, rather than thinking 'oh, here we go again'," Hansen said after another gruelling end to their southern hemisphere schedule - away to Argentina and South Africa before lifting once more for a third Bledisloe Cup Test in Brisbane.

Last November, New Zealand failed to hit their stride on the four-Test tour after opening with a scratchy 54-6 defeat of Japan in front of 27,000 at Tokyo's modest Prince Chichibu Stadium. More than double that number will watch this weekend, enhancing Chicago's sports-mad reputation.

Several All Blacks follow American football closely, along with other US professional sports such as basketball and baseball, which are represented by famous Chicago clubs.

"They're coming to a place where there's a heap of sportsmen and women that they actually respect and have taken an interest in," Hansen said. "Chicago is one of the sporting cities of the world, and it's a different feel for us. A good formula for starting a tour."