Ireland sweep the 2018 World Rugby Awards, Israel Adesanya announces his next fight against UFC legend Anderson Silva and the Auckland Tuatara get the job done against Brisbane
Chris Rattue runs through the All Blacks on the rise (and on the way down) ahead of the Rugby World Cup.
Steve Hansen...surprisingly large fall
The halo is still available, to be restored at the World Cup next year, but it's slid a long way down.
Coach Hansen reckons he's been setting things up for next year, but then again he would say that. At the end of last year, he argued everything would fall into place this year.
The All Blacks have lost their rhythm, their mojo, and the confusion is most evident in the way Aaron Smith is struggling to find the old magic.
The results and many performances are, by other countries' standards, excellent. But there's a nagging feeling that the once assured Hansen is starting to chuck a few too many Hail Mary passes. Joe Schmidt's more clinical coaching of Ireland was a telling comparison point.
Ian Foster...slipping further
In terms of becoming the next All Black coach, Foster's stocks with the public will have fallen further. But most people (I'm guessing) always saw him as an out-and-out assistant, tailor-made for and by Steve Hansen.
A difficult year for the new defence coach particularly with so many selection changes including a passing parade of disparate midfield backs.
Mike Cron...holding strongly
The All Black scrum under Cron's guidance remains a thing of powerful beauty, even if Ireland gave them something to think about.
Codie Taylor. Photo / Photosport
Codie Taylor...sharply rising
A break out season for the hooker. Just when you thought the injury-hit Dane Coles was irreplaceable...a great year from Taylor who complements the tough stuff with important moments of magic.
Karl Tu'inukuafe...zooming upwards
A terrific come-from-nowhere story. The way the rookie loosehead quickly adjusted after a couple of tough scrums against the excellent Irish should add to the growing legend. Brilliant scrummager who can put in a few bursts with the ball.
The World Cup squad MVS (most valuable selection) to many, despite a rare flop against Ireland. One of the greatest forwards ever.
Owen Franks...creaking
Scrum bulwark's lack of ball carrying really hurts the All Blacks at times...compare that to the influence Ireland's magnificent Tadhg Furlong had in the Dublin game.
Sonny Bill Williams...trending down
The coaches love him, some of the rest of us aren't so sure. Great moments amongst serial inactivity.
Absences are cutting into his career, but he's still a terrific bet for next year.
Sam Cane...holding
From a public perspective, he lacks the charisma of great All Black No. 7s past, or Ardie Savea. But the game has changed, and some positions like openside flanker are more homogenised.
Damian McKenzie...stuttering
Even his biggest fans (hand up here) have to admit that despite all the great stuff, he hasn't cemented a place as a great All Black in waiting. And that's what his talent demands. Still helter-skelter and not enough straight gap running from fullback.
Take your pick...but he's still a world class matchwinner.
Ardie Savea...flying high
A crowd favourite, and much more obvious than the redoubtable Sam Cane who will remain the coach's first choice. But will he end up as a passing fad who spends most of his time on the bench?
Aaron Smith...crashed
If this was the stock market, Smith would be described as experiencing a major correction. Significantly outpointed by the diminutive Springbok Faf de Klerk. Needs a good rest, rethink and re-boot. Not to be written off though.
A cause celebre, but a few blinding cameos off the bench are a far cry from crushing it in a major test.
Liam Squire...falling
A wrecking ball at his best, but he just can't string great games together for one reason or another. It's a long time since the loose forward combo looked so shaky.
A late surge from the Dunedin wanderer but volatile predictions for 2019.
Nehe Milner-Skudder...crashed
The game is up for the injury ravaged crowd pleaser...a terrific shame.
Jackson Hemopo...holding as the 2019 bolter
The rampaging work-in-progress Vaea Fifita has more obvious charms at No. 6, but Hemopo is a more reliably combative blindside with the World Cup so close.
