England attack coach Nick Evans played 16 times for the All Blacks, his sole defeat coming at the hands of France in the quarterfinals of the 2007 Rugby World Cup.
That epic 20-18 victory for the French came in Cardiff's Millennium Stadium, now renamed Prinicipality, and host to Wales' Six Nations test against England on Saturday.
Evans, who came on as a replacement for Dan Carter that October day, admitted that the memories were still there, recalling "that's where I was sitting, in the quietest changing room in the world".
A long-time understudy to Carter, who amassed a record 1 598 points over 112 tests for New Zealand, the versatile Evans has been an invaluable member of Steve Borthwick's backroom staff as the new team transition from Eddie Jones's reign.
That saw Owen Farrell often playing alongside Marcus Smith, the latter seen as more mercurial option at flyhalf.
Smith started at 10 in England's Six Nations opening 29-23 defeat by Scotland, but was benched for the 31-14 victory over Italy, with Farrell preferred in the key playmaker role.
"Marcus has been brilliant and every player on the bench has got a very important role to play," said Evans, who worked closely with Smith at Harlequins before joining the England set-up for this year's Six Nations.
"I was sat behind a pretty good player a lot of times in Dan Carter. I know what it feels like to be in that position, so I am able to give them advice.
"Are you just watching the game or actually seeing what's happening on the field?
"We have a real clear communication pathway to Marcus and what's expected of him when he comes on. His role will be different at times, because it's different to when you're starting or you're on the bench, but he will have a big impact.
"We're not asking him to go out and be Owen, we're asking him to go out there and be Marcus Smith."
The build-up to the Cardiff clash has been dominated by the crisis engulfing Welsh rugby and the threatened player strike that put the game in jeopardy.
Wales players eventually struck a peace deal with the game's powerbrokers on Wednesday evening to allow the contest to go ahead.
Evans said: "I sympathise with them a lot, that uncertainty around those players. Being on the other side as a player you want that certainty.
"But we know that any player who puts the Welsh jersey on will play with pride, representing the country with an immense amount of intensity."