Andy Farrell has rung the changes for tomorrow but insists there are "no gimmes" in his Ireland set-up.
It's a totally different ball game on as his squad move on from beating the reigning world champions.
The middle Autumn series game against Fiji gives Farrell the chance to blood some potential World Cup bolters while also assessing the leadership qualities of others.
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With a host of senior players out of the equation after the South Africa game, the head coach has made sweeping changes - nine in the starting line-up and five on the bench.
But the demand for a performance and a victory to maintain Ireland's momentum remains the same.
And as Farrell says, "the proof will be in the pudding" come the end of this early afternoon encounter with the Pacific Islanders.
Despite the changes, there are only two players - Jeremy Loughman, who is starting, and Jack Crowley on the bench - who can make their Test debuts tomorrow.
Part of the reason for that, Farrell confided, was the poor performance of Ireland 'A' against the All Blacks XV last Friday night allied with a host of "banged up" senior players resting up.
“There's a bit of both," said the Ireland boss.
"Test matches are not gimmes, certainly at this stage. Test matches have to be earned.
"Of course, there are certain circumstances with injuries and opportunities and being in the right place at the right time, and getting your run right etc.
“But people don't just get a Test match when they're not performing at their best. There is definitely an element of that."
Farrell hasn't been afraid during his tenure to blood new players but says he won't cap contenders without proper reason.
“It's a must," he said.
"You could talk about the fact that there's only so many Test matches until whenever, but at the same time, we've had a few opportunities, you know?
“Three with the Emerging Ireland, two with the Maoris and the 'A' game. They matter to us.
"We see them performing day-in-day-out against each other which, in some circumstances, is more difficult because of peer pressure.
“They are getting judged consistently on that.
"So, like I said, opportunity comes around and you've got to take it.
"And some lads, we are interested to see how they handle that this week.”
And those not included?
"You see how they kick on with the feedback," Farrell said.
"Then you judge them over the next period of time before the Six Nations.
"Hopefully you have an even bigger headache because of that."
There are some fascinating calls for this weekend, starting at full back where Jimmy O'Brien gets his shot - and a first Test start - after impressing as a first half centre replacement last Saturday.
With Hugo Keenan one of the senior players suffering after the Springboks collision, Farrell says O'Brien deserves his chance there - just as Rob Baloucoune deserves another go on the wing and Robbie Henshaw some game time at centre.
Interestingly, Connacht flanker Cian Prendergast is named as second row cover on the bench.
"It's something we're interested in to find out, obviously within a World Cup, you can get some hybrid players in there," Farrell explained.
"That can be pretty invaluable and he has been pretty impressive in training.”
Overall, insists Farrell, this game is a gauge to see where the world's top ranked team are in terms of depth.
“This is a good game to see where we are at," he said. "We feel we have made strides in all sorts of different areas.
"There is a great opportunity for five or six of them to show their leadership strengths with the opportunities they have got.
“There are all sorts of different opportunities for lads but having said that, the proof is in the pudding, isn’t it?
"The pressure's still the same.
"I got asked last week, is this the biggest game you have ever been involved in and I said - and I was truthful in saying it - it's the biggest until next week because that has gone and this is here now and this is all that matters.
"And you're going to get judged in your performance, so there are still the same pressures on that."
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