Underneath the frustration on both sides lies a shared wish: to recapture a glimmer of the magic that illuminated the state eight years ago, before scandal tarnished both the state and the man who should be its favourite son.
That win over the mighty Spanish side was masterminded by Alex Ferguson, who enjoyed eight successful seasons at Pittodrie before leaving to work his magic at Manchester United in 1986.
Juve continued to press but it needed a typical piece of magic from Del Piero to grab the clinching goal from a clever free-kick with eight minutes left.
Add Martyn Williams, Jonathan Thomas and Andy Powell - who all finished the match against the All Blacks - and the starting number eight on Saturday, Ryan Jones, and Wales coach Warren Gatland has that magic thing: options and strength in depth.