KEY POINTS:
Stuck to players' lockers before last week's World Cup final was a colour image of a Kiwis jersey with their number and a simple message - 'no regrets'.
It was the idea of Kiwis assistant coach Wayne Bennett and wasn't his only contribution to a successful World Cup
campaign.
The theme was a subtle variation on the title of his first book, Don't Die with the Music in You, a reference to the failure of so many to fulfil their potential.
It was a refrain Bennett used in various forms throughout the tournament and something that has characterised his long and distinguished coaching career.
From the time he first spoke to the players and staff when they gathered ahead of the Tonga test before the start of the tournament, he made it known he would not be happy with anything short of a World Cup win.
When Bennett was appointed Steve Kearney's assistant in February, there was a widespread feeling that Bennett would be the brains behind the combination; Kearney merely the frontman who allowed Bennett to eschew the spotlight.
But all those close to the team say Kearney was clearly the boss, the head coach. Bennett's input was significant - it was impossible not to be given who he is - but his role was somewhat mysterious due to his reluctance to speak to the media.
Kiwis football manager Dean Bell saw first-hand over the past six weeks how the dynamic duo operated.
"I have always been a great believer in there being only one boss and that was quite evident throughout the tournament," the former Kiwis captain says. "Steve was in charge but he had great support from Wayne. It probably worked better than I thought it might.
"Wayne was always in the background. He had his views when they needed to be shared but he didn't overdo it. A lot of credit must go to Steve because as influential and experienced as Wayne is, it can overwhelm and even undermine some people. You never felt that with Steve because he welcomed his advice."
It's debatable whether former Kiwis coaches such as Brian McClennan or Graham Lowe would have been able to do this because they were coaches who preferred complete control.
Kearney, though, realised his inexperience and recognised the opportunity to work with one of the game's best coaches.
Bennett's strength is working with players. Throughout the tournament, he often spoke to players on a one-to-one level and helped them believe they could win.
His efforts left a big impression on Kiwis centre Jerome Ropati.
"Right from the Tongan game, he kept telling us that we had the talent, we had the ability and as long as we believed in the game plan and had faith in each other to execute it, then we would win," he said.
Bennett also gave the players four or five 'flags', or minimum requirements, they needed to achieve in each game and, with Kearney, implemented a simple game plan.
These included catchphrases such as "rain sets" or "drown sets." One encouraged players to drive out of dummy half each time they were within their own 20m line; the other asked players to kick deep and even kick over the dead ball line to keep the opposition pinned in their own territory.
"Wayne has an aura about him," Bell continues. "When he speaks, you listen, and he speaks a lot of sense. He's a very demanding task master. You can describe him how you like but, when it comes down to it, he's a winner. Everything he works towards has one thing in mind and that's winning footy games."
Kearney's contribution should not be underestimated and he grew significantly as a coach during the tournament. He is still the same meticulous person he was as a player (Bell roomed with Kearney for the first time in 1995 when they were both at the Warriors but asked that it be their last after Kearney set his alarm every two hours so he could hydrate) and showed great maturity in challenging the players to ensure this wasn't a one-off even when they were back-slapping each other in the changing rooms afterwards.
There have been a number of calls for Kearney to dispense with the training wheels and take the team by himself but there is little sense in this if Bennett is keen to remain involved.
Why break up such a successful combination and why go it alone when there is so much more that can be learnt from Bennett?
New Zealand might be world champions for the first time but they could hardly claim to be the undisputed No 1 side in the world.
Bennett might think his work is done, or only just beginning - few people know his inner thoughts. He is said to have enjoyed the experience immensely and will no doubt have taken great joy in watching the reaction of his arch-nemesis Ricky Stuart following Australia's defeat.
Bennett starts a new job with St George Illawarra after 21 successful years with the Broncos and this, and his determination to commute to his home in Brisbane, could preclude his continued involvement with the Kiwis.
The NZRL have not held discussions with him regarding this but have hinted they want him to continue. If he doesn't, Bell will encourage the NZRL to put in place a succession plan.
"We need to be grooming the next coach," he says. "I would be a great supporter of Tony Iro getting a position like that. He's an excellent young coach who needs developing.
"I think he would learn a lot by being involved. He certainly has the potential to be an NRL coach and if he does that, it would hold him in good stead to be a future New Zealand coach."
That's in the future. They would do well to stick with the combination that has already delivered a World Cup.
