KEY POINTS:
If there was ever any doubt about the difference in class between the All Blacks and the other nations, the last few weeks have certainly clarified matters.
The All Blacks have belted England, France (twice) and now Wales on consecutive weekends.
The Welsh were supposed to provide better competition than the others but the reality is they were not even close to the All Blacks in any area of the game.
The All Black scrum toyed with the Welsh and only the lousy playing surface and flaky referee saved them from annihilation.
The lineouts were much the same, with the problems on the All Blacks' throw-ins just a distant memory.
At the ruck/maul the All Blacks were so superior at stealing the opposition ball and so swift to the breakdown that the referee - who had a few problems getting to the breakdown himself - must have thought the All Blacks were cheating more than could be seen, such was their superiority.
There was no way Richie McCaw should have been sinbinned for his superior technique at the breakdown.
Ali Williams was again a standout in a pack where Jerry Collins, Rodney So'oialo, McCaw, Carl Hayman, Anton Oliver and Keith Robinson all showed consistent class.
In the backs it was class and skill against a bunch of triers.
Daniel Carter is now so consistently good it is boring.
When he departed, Nick Evans showed some nice touches - the Welsh may have been happy when Carter was replaced but only for about 30 seconds, such was Evans' impact.
Sitiveni Sivivatu and Rico Gear threatened in attack and were very secure in defence.
The midfield did enough to be part of Graham Henry's plans for 2007.
The only blemish was Piri Weepu. He looked down on confidence and not in great physical condition - definitely not the player of old.
It's a problem that needs to be sorted and quickly, otherwise he will be left behind, such is the current competition for places.
Is all this praise correct or are we kidding ourselves about where this team is at?
The All Blacks are clearly 20-30 points better than any other team.
They have more depth in all positions than any other nation and most importantly have developed the best players in the world in key positions.
There's a saying that to win a World Cup you need at least six players who are the best in their positions.
Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock and Hayman have not been bettered since 2005.
Williams would make most world XVs.
McCaw - say no more.
Collins has developed a complete game which he adapts to situations as required.
Carter's a freak, Sivivatu and Mils Muliaina are playing so consistently well they couldn't be left out.
I am probably being harsh on the likes of Chris Jack, So'oialo, Joe Rokocoko and Gear by not putting them in the same category.
The off-field efficiency and public image has been developed and managed to a superb level.
These areas contribute vitally to the performance on the park and the quiet achievers in the management should be praised.
I'm not saying this group is a certainty to win next year's World Cup - sport can be cruel and sometimes uneven.
But the scary problem for the others chasing this black tornado is that they may get even better in 2007.
