KEY POINTS:
To people in other rugby-playing nations, the Herald's invitation to readers to script the All Black coach's last-minute team talk before the test against Australia at Eden Park must have seemed somewhat odd.
Most would be happy if their national team laboured solely under the All Blacks' current difficulties. Most do not sound the alarm if their team loses back-to-back tests. Most, however, do not understand the status, even if a little frayed, rugby enjoys in this country.
Last weekend's defeat by the Wallabies was notable mainly for the All Blacks' ineptness. New Zealanders are not accustomed to their team succumbing in this manner. They are used, at the very least, to seeing it demand absolutely the best from an opponent. This is part of what Colin Meads this week referred to as "a great tradition built up over the years".
Another aspect of that tradition is New Zealanders' ability to excel at all aspects of what can be a complex game. Down-to-earth pragmatism and technical excellence play their part but so, too, do instinct and intuition. The All Blacks have married those qualities so well that for more than a century they have been the envy of other nations.
The professional era, an exodus of players to rich overseas clubs and, now, experimental law variations have placed pressure on a successful formula. So has the failure to win a World Cup since 1987, much to the bemusement of All Black followers. Questions are asked about the team's acuity and adaptability.
As valid as these queries may be, there is a danger in situations such as this of overcomplicating matters. Charlie Saxton, the great All Black coach, preached the virtues of just three words: possession, position and pace. These remain as crucial today as ever. If the All Blacks have his words ringing in their ears tonight, they can rediscover their winning touch.
